Visa & Green Card
Replace Green Card: Lost, Stolen, Damaged, or Incorrect Card
Lost, stolen, damaged, never-received, or incorrect card? See when Form I-90 applies, what documents to prepare, and how to get temporary proof.
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Educational estimate only. Not legal, tax, immigration, or financial advice. Full disclaimer below.
Last updated: July 4, 2026. Fees, processing times, and USCIS policies can change. Always verify with official USCIS sources.
Quick Answer: How Do You Replace a Green Card?
If your green card is lost, stolen, damaged, never received, or has incorrect information, you may need to file Form I-90 to replace it. If you need urgent proof for travel, work, or DMV, check USCIS temporary proof options such as an I-551/ADIT stamp.
Green Card Replacement Timeline Estimate
How long replacement usually takes by reason, and when you may need temporary proof. These are planning ranges — always confirm on USCIS.
- Usually Form I-90
- Timing varies
- Temporary proof for urgent needs
- Conditional cards are different
Lost green card
- Estimated timeline
- Similar to I-90 replacement timing
- Urgency note
- May need temporary proof if urgent
- What to check
- USCIS case status and Form I-90 instructions
Stolen green card
- Estimated timeline
- Similar to I-90 replacement timing
- Urgency note
- Consider a police report for your records
- What to check
- Watch for identity-theft misuse
Damaged green card
- Estimated timeline
- Similar to I-90 replacement timing
- Urgency note
- Keep the damaged card if available
- What to check
- USCIS instructions for returning the card
Incorrect card information
- Estimated timeline
- Timing varies
- Urgency note
- Fee/evidence depends on the error reason
- What to check
- Whether USCIS or you caused the error
Name changed
- Estimated timeline
- Timing varies
- Urgency note
- Prepare legal name-change evidence
- What to check
- Form I-90 instructions for name changes
Never received card
- Estimated timeline
- Timing and process may differ
- Urgency note
- Possible time limits apply
- What to check
- USCIS non-delivery instructions
Need travel soon
- Estimated timeline
- Card timeline may not be fast enough
- Urgency note
- High — check temporary proof options
- What to check
- ADIT/I-551 stamp and travel requirements
Green Card Replacement Answer
Replacing a green card usually uses Form I-90, but urgent travel, work, or DMV needs may require temporary proof while waiting. Timing is similar to a Form I-90 renewal and varies by USCIS workload.
These are educational planning estimates. USCIS processing times, fees, receipt notice language, and policies can change. Always verify with official USCIS sources.
Green Card Replacement Situations
Find your situation, the likely form, and what to watch for. The conditional-card row is the most important to get right.
Lost card
Form I-90
File Form I-90 to replace the card. Keep proof of status for travel/work/ID.
Warning: Consider whether you need a temporary I-551/ADIT stamp.
Stolen card
Form I-90
File Form I-90; consider a police report for your records.
Warning: Watch for identity-theft misuse of your information.
Damaged card
Form I-90
File Form I-90 and submit the damaged card as instructed.
Warning: Follow USCIS instructions for returning the old card.
Name changed
Form I-90
File Form I-90 with legal name-change evidence.
Warning: Evidence must match USCIS instructions.
Incorrect information
Form I-90
File Form I-90 to correct card errors.
Warning: Fee may depend on whether USCIS or you caused the error.
Never received card
Form I-90 (non-delivery)
Report non-delivery; USCIS instructions cover cards returned as undeliverable.
Warning: Time limits and specific steps may apply — check USCIS guidance.
Card expired
Form I-90
File Form I-90 to renew a 10-year card.
Warning: An expired card can still cause work/travel/ID friction while pending.
Conditional card expiring
Usually Form I-751 or I-829
Do not use Form I-90 to remove conditions.
Warning: High-risk mistake. Review I-751/I-829 or consult an attorney.
Replace Green Card
Replacement reason checker
Find the likely I-90 category, documents, and warnings for your situation.
Replacing your green card, explained
What to do if your green card is lost
If your card is lost, you can generally file Form I-90 to request a replacement. Keep proof of your status for work, travel, and ID, and consider whether you need a temporary I-551/ADIT stamp while you wait for the new card.
What to do if it's stolen
For a stolen card, file Form I-90 for a replacement and consider filing a police report for your records. Watch for possible identity-theft misuse of your personal information, and monitor your accounts.
What to do if it's damaged
A damaged or unusable card can be replaced with Form I-90. Follow the USCIS instructions for submitting or returning the damaged card as part of your application.
What to do if the card has incorrect information
You can use Form I-90 to correct certain card errors. Whether a fee applies may depend on whether USCIS caused the error or the mistake came from your original application — check the Form I-90 instructions.
What if your card never arrived
If USCIS mailed your card but it never arrived, there is a specific non-delivery process. Time limits and steps may apply, so review the official guidance promptly and report the non-delivery.
How to get temporary proof
If you need urgent evidence of status for travel, employment, or ID, you may be able to get temporary proof such as an ADIT/I-551 stamp, or use a USCIS receipt notice. Check current USCIS guidance for your situation.
Common mistakes
Common mistakes include filing Form I-90 for a conditional 2-year card (which usually needs I-751 or I-829), relying on an outdated fee, missing non-delivery time limits, and traveling without confirming what documentation you need.
General planning information only. Confirm current USCIS fees, forms, and processing times on the official USCIS website before you file.
Official USCIS sources
Always verify current rules, fees, forms, and processing times directly with USCIS:
Related Green Card Renewal Tools
Green Card Renewal Guide
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Form I-90 online filing, step by step
Green Card Renewal Fee
Form I-90 cost and fee-waiver basics
I-90 vs I-751
Which green card form you actually need
Expired Green Card Renewal
Work, travel, and DMV before you renew
I-485 Processing Time
Adjustment-of-status timeline
NVC Case Status
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Immigration Tracker
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USCIS Case Status
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Frequently asked questions
How do I replace a lost green card?
You can generally file Form I-90 to replace a lost permanent resident card. If you need urgent proof for travel or work, check whether a temporary I-551/ADIT stamp is available.
What should I do if my green card was stolen?
File Form I-90 to request a replacement. Consider filing a police report for your records and watch for misuse of your personal information.
Can I replace a damaged green card?
Yes. Form I-90 covers a damaged card. Follow USCIS instructions for submitting or returning the damaged card.
What if USCIS made an error on my card?
You can use Form I-90 to correct card errors. If USCIS caused the error, the fee may not apply — check the Form I-90 instructions.
What if I never received my card?
If your card was mailed but never arrived, USCIS has a non-delivery process. Time limits and specific steps may apply, so check the official guidance promptly.
Can I travel while waiting for a replacement?
Travel while a replacement is pending can be complicated. Check USCIS, airline, and consulate requirements and whether you need temporary I-551/ADIT proof.
Can I work without the physical card?
An expired or missing card does not automatically end status, but proving work authorization can be harder. A receipt notice or temporary stamp may help — check current guidance.
How long does replacement take?
Replacement timing varies by USCIS workload and whether biometrics is required. Check the official processing-times tool for Form I-90 and your case status.
Written / reviewed by Deepak Middha · CA, Series 65
Last updated: July 4, 2026
Disclaimer, assumptions & sources
This tool is for general education and planning only. It does not replace advice from a CPA, attorney, financial advisor, USCIS, IRS, State Department, or other official source. Rules, limits, forms, fees, dates, and government processing information may change. Always verify before filing, investing, or making immigration, tax, or financial decisions.
- For educational use only — not legal advice.
- Not tax advice.
- Not financial advice.
- Not immigration advice.
- Numbers, forms, fees, dates, rules, and limits may change at any time.
- Always verify with official sources before acting.
- Consult a CPA, attorney, financial advisor, or the relevant official agency (USCIS, IRS, State Department) when it matters to your situation.
This tool is for educational planning only and is not legal advice. USCIS rules, fees, processing times, and eligibility can change. Always verify with official USCIS sources or consult a qualified immigration attorney.
See our full site disclaimer for complete terms.