How Do I Replace a Lost Green Card? Form I-90
You replace a lost green card by filing Form I-90, the application to replace a permanent resident card. Replacing a lost green card means submitting Form I-90 to USCIS, which issues a new card without changing your status as a permanent resident. You use the same form whether your card was lost, stolen, damaged, or never received, and while you wait, you can request proof of your status if you need it for work or travel.
This guide explains how to file, what proof you have in the meantime, and how this differs from renewing an expiring card. It connects to our guides on the ADIT stamp و traveling with an expired green card.
Lost your green card and need proof of status fast? Atlas Legal can help you file and get interim evidence. Contact our team to get started.
نکات کلیدی
- You replace a lost green card with Form I-90.
- Replacing the card does not change your permanent resident status.
- The same form covers lost, stolen, damaged, or never-received cards.
- You can request an ADIT stamp as interim proof of status.
- Replacing a lost card is different from renewing an expiring one.
What This Guide Covers
- Filing Form I-90
- Your status stays the same
- Proof while you wait
- Replacement vs renewal
- Lost, stolen, or damaged
- Frequently asked questions
Filing Form I-90
Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, is how you request a new green card. You can file it online through a myUSCIS account or by mail, and you provide your information and the reason for the replacement.
After filing, USCIS sends a receipt notice, may schedule biometrics, and eventually mails your new card. Keeping your address current is important so the card and any notices reach you.
Your Status Stays the Same
Losing your green card does not affect your status. You remain a lawful permanent resident whether or not you physically hold the card. The I-90 simply replaces the document that proves your status.
This is an important distinction: the card is evidence of your status, not the status itself. You do not lose your permanent residence by losing the card, and replacing it restores your proof.
Proof While You Wait
Because a new card takes time, you may need interim proof of status for a job or travel. USCIS can provide temporary evidence, often an ADIT stamp placed in your passport, which serves as proof of permanent residence for a period.
| Need | Interim option |
|---|---|
| Proof of status for work | ADIT stamp as temporary evidence |
| Travel while waiting | ADIT stamp, subject to travel rules |
| Receipt of filing | The I-90 receipt notice |
Our guide on the ADIT stamp explains how to request this temporary evidence and what it does.
Replacement vs Renewal
Replacing a lost card and renewing an expiring card both use Form I-90, but they address different situations. Replacement is for a card that is lost, stolen, damaged, or never received. Renewal is for a ten-year card that is expiring or has expired.
The process is similar, but choose the reason that matches your situation on the form. If your card is a conditional two-year card, note that removing conditions uses a different form, not the I-90.
Unsure whether you need to replace, renew, or remove conditions? A quick review can point you to the right form. Ask Atlas Legal to confirm.
Lost, Stolen, or Damaged
The I-90 covers several situations with one form. If your card was stolen, it can help to have a record of the report, though the I-90 is still the path to a new card. A damaged card is replaced the same way, and so is a card that USCIS issued but you never received.
For a never-received card, confirm your address was correct, since a wrong address is a common reason a card does not arrive. In that situation, a service request about non-delivery may also be relevant.
When to Work With an Immigration Attorney
Replacing a card is usually routine, but some situations need care. Legal help is valuable when you need interim proof quickly for work or travel, when your card never arrived and you suspect an address problem, when you also have status or travel complications, or when you are unsure which form applies. An attorney can help you file correctly and get evidence in time. Outcomes depend on the facts of each case.
سوالات متداول
How do I replace a lost green card?
You file Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, online through a myUSCIS account or by mail. You provide your information and select the reason, such as the card being lost. USCIS sends a receipt, may schedule biometrics, and mails a new card. Replacing the card does not change your status, and you can request interim proof of status, often an ADIT stamp, while you wait.
Do I lose my status if I lose my green card?
No. You remain a lawful permanent resident whether or not you hold the physical card. The green card is evidence of your status, not the status itself. Losing it does not affect your permanent residence. You file Form I-90 to replace the document, and if you need proof in the meantime, USCIS can provide temporary evidence such as an ADIT stamp in your passport.
How do I prove my status while waiting for a new card?
USCIS can provide interim proof of permanent residence, commonly an ADIT stamp placed in your passport, which serves as temporary evidence for a period. You may need this for employment verification or travel. The I-90 receipt notice also documents that you filed. If you need interim proof, request it, since a replacement card can take time to arrive.
What is the difference between replacing and renewing a green card?
Both use Form I-90, but replacement is for a card that is lost, stolen, damaged, or never received, while renewal is for a ten-year card that is expiring or expired. Choose the reason that matches your situation on the form. Note that a conditional two-year card is not renewed with the I-90; removing its conditions requires a different form.
What if my green card was stolen?
You replace it with Form I-90, selecting the reason that fits. It can help to have a record if you reported the theft, though the I-90 is the path to a new card regardless. Because a stolen card carries identity concerns, filing promptly and getting interim proof of status is wise, especially if you need to verify employment or travel while the replacement is processed.
How long does it take to replace a green card?
Processing times vary by workload and can take several months, so check the current estimate for Form I-90. Because of the wait, request interim proof of status, such as an ADIT stamp, if you need evidence for work or travel. Track your case with the receipt number, keep your address current, and confirm the new card is mailed to the right place.
Can I travel while my green card replacement is pending?
You can travel, but you should carry proof of status, since you will not have your card. An ADIT stamp in your passport serves as temporary evidence of permanent residence for entry. Travel rules for permanent residents still apply, including limits on time abroad. If you plan to travel while the replacement is pending, arrange interim proof before you leave.
My green card never arrived. What do I do?
First confirm the address USCIS had was correct, since a wrong address is a common reason a card does not arrive. You generally file Form I-90 to replace a card that was issued but never received, and a service request about non-delivery may also apply. Keeping your address current and acting promptly helps you get a new card and avoid gaps in your proof of status.
Bottom Line
Replace a lost green card by filing Form I-90, which issues a new card without changing your permanent resident status. The same form covers lost, stolen, damaged, and never-received cards, and you can get an ADIT stamp as interim proof while you wait. Replacement and renewal use the same form for different reasons. Each case depends on its own facts.
If you lost your green card, Atlas Legal Immigration Law can help you replace it. Reach us at 1750 E Golf Rd Ste 214, Schaumburg, IL 60173, call (+1) 872 382 2762, or email info@theatlaslegal.com. Learn more on our services page.
Reviewed by the Atlas Legal Immigration Law editorial team. Last reviewed on July 24, 2026.
Sources
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Replace Your Green Card
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, After We Grant Your Green Card
This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration laws, government fees, policies, and processing times may change. Reading this article or contacting Atlas Legal does not by itself create an attorney-client relationship. The outcome of any immigration matter depends on its individual facts and circumstances.
