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How
Do I Replace My Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)?
What is a Permanent Resident Card?
A Permanent
Resident Card, commonly known as a Green Card, is evidence of your
status as a lawful permanent resident with a right to live and work
permanently in the United States. It also is evidence of your
registration in accordance with United States immigration laws. The
Permanent Resident Card is also called INS Form I-551.
Who Needs to Replace a Permanent
Resident Card?
You will need
to replace your permanent resident card if:
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Your previous card was
lost, stolen, mutilated, or destroyed;
ˇ
You have reached your
14th birthday;
ˇ
You have been a
commuter and are now taking up actual residence in the United
States;
ˇ
You have been a
permanent resident residing in the United States and are now taking
up commuter status;
ˇ
Your status has been
automatically converted to permanent resident status, (e.g., from
temporary resident status as a special agricultural worker or
legalization applicant);
ˇ
You have a previous
version of the alien registration card (e.g., INS Form AR-3, Form
AR-103, or Form I-151) and must replace it with the current
permanent resident card (Form I-551);
ˇ
Your card contains
incorrect data;
ˇ
Your name or other
biographic information on the card has been legally changed since
you last received your card; or,
ˇ
You never received the
previous card that was issued to you by INS.
What Does the Law Say?
Section 264 of
the Immigration and Nationality Act provides that, "Every alien
in the United States shall be issued a certificate of alien
registration or an alien registration receipt card in such form and
manner and at such time as shall be prescribed under
regulations." It also states, "Every alien, eighteen years
of age and over, shall at all times carry with him and have in his
personal possession any certificate of alien registration or alien
registration receipt card issued to him. Any alien who fails to
comply with [these] provisions shall be guilty of a
misdemeanor." The specific requirements and procedures for
applying to replace a permanent resident card are included in the
Code of Federal Regulations [CFR] at 8
CFR § 264.5.
Please
note: If you are a conditional resident and your status is expiring,
these instructions do not pertain to you. You are to use INS
Form I-751 (Petition
to Remove the Conditions on Residence) to apply to remove the
conditions on your permanent resident status.
How Do I Apply to Replace My Permanent
Resident Card?
If you are a
permanent resident or conditional resident who needs to replace your
card, you may apply for a replacement card by filing an INS
Form I-90.
Please
Note: This procedure should NOT be used by lawful permanent
residents who are seeking to renew their ten-year card only because
the card is expiring. The Service is providing separate instructions
for the renewal of expiring I-551s
A Form I-90 can
be ordered by calling the INS Forms request line at 1 (800)
870-3676.
After receiving
Form I-90, read it carefully and note the documentation and photos
that must be submitted. Detailed information is provided in the
instructions for Form
I-90. Unless otherwise instructed, you should file the
application (with supporting documentation and fees) in person at
the local INS office serving the area where you live. If your status
as a special agricultural worker has been automatically converted to
that of a permanent resident you should file Form I-90 at the INS
Service Center that serves the area where you live. If you are
outside the U.S. and have lost your alien registration card, contact
the nearest American Consulate, INS Office or Port of Entry before
attempting to file a Form I-90.
If your Form
I-90 application is approved, you will be mailed a replacement
Permanent Resident Card with a ten-year expiration date. It is not
possible to submit forms to INS on-line at this time.
How Do I Obtain Temporary Evidence of My
Status For Travel or Employment Purposes, if Necessary, While INS is
Reviewing My Form I-90 Application?
At the time
that you are completing the fingerprint and signature requirements
(necessary for the adjudication of the Form I-90 and the issuance of
the replacement card) at the appropriate INS office, you may request
temporary evidence of your permanent resident status, valid for
travel and/or employment purposes.
How Can I Find Out the Status of My
Application?
To check the
status of your application, please contact the INS office that
received your application. You should be prepared to provide the INS
staff with specific information about your application, such as the
ten-digit receipt number printed on your Form I-797, Notice of
Receipt, your Alien Registration Number, name, and date of birth.
If My Application is Denied, How Can I
Appeal?
If your
application for a replacement alien registration card is denied, you
will receive a letter that will tell you why the application was
denied. You will not be allowed to appeal a negative decision.
However, you may submit a motion to reopen or a motion
to reconsider with the same
office that made the unfavorable decision. By filing such a
motion, you may ask the office to reexamine or reconsider its
decision. A motion to reopen must state the new facts that are to be provided in the reopened proceeding and
must be accompanied by the appropriate documentary evidence. A motion
to reconsider must establish that the decision to deny your
application was based on an incorrect application of law or INS policy, and further establish
that the decision was incorrect based on the evidence in the file at
the time the decision was made.
Can Anyone Help Me?
If advice is
needed, you may contact the INS District Office near your home for a
list of organizations that may be able to assist you with the
preparation of your application.
How Do I Apply for Immigrant Status Based on Employment?
How Do I Become a Lawful Permanent Resident While in the United States?
How do I bring my brother/sister to the United States?
How Do I Bring My Children to Live in the United States?
How do I bring my Fiancé(e) to the United States?
How Do I Bring My Parents to Live in the United States?
How Do I File an Affidavit of Support?
How Do I Get a Work Permit?
US IMMIGRATION GLOSSARY AND ACRONYMS
Sourced
from the US Department of Justice – Immigration and Naturalization
Service
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