Most lawful permanent residents receive a Green Card that is valid for 10 years. If the card is expired or will expire soon, the usual renewal form is Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card. USCIS also uses Form I-90 for many replacement situations.
When to Renew
A lawful permanent resident generally uses Form I-90 when a 10-year Green Card:
- Has expired
- Will expire within about six months
- Was lost, stolen, or destroyed
- Was damaged
- Contains incorrect information
- Needs to reflect a legal name or other biographic change
The exact evidence required depends on the reason for filing.
Renewal and Replacement Use the Same Form
Even though this page is called Green Card Renewal, Form I-90 is also the standard form for many Green Card replacement situations.
For example, a permanent resident may need a replacement if the card was lost, stolen, damaged, or issued with incorrect information.
Always use the current USCIS edition of Form I-90 and the current filing instructions.
If Your Green Card Is Expired
Expiration of an ordinary 10-year Green Card does not by itself mean that lawful permanent resident status has ended.
The card is evidence of status, but permanent resident status and the expiration date printed on the physical card are not the same thing.
However, an expired card can make it harder to prove permanent resident status for employment, travel, identification, or other purposes, so renewal should not be ignored.
Proof of Status While Your Renewal Is Pending
USCIS currently issues Form I-90 renewal receipt notices that may extend the validity of an expiring or expired Green Card for 36 months from the expiration date printed on the card.
The receipt notice, together with the expired Green Card, can serve as temporary evidence of continued lawful permanent resident status during the extension period.
Follow the wording on your own USCIS receipt notice, because policies and extension periods can change.
If You Need Temporary Evidence of Status
Sometimes a permanent resident needs proof of status while waiting for a replacement card and does not have adequate documentation.
USCIS may provide temporary evidence of lawful permanent resident status in appropriate circumstances.
For example, someone who needs urgent evidence for employment or travel may contact USCIS to determine whether additional temporary documentation is available.
Lost, Stolen, or Destroyed Green Card
If your Green Card is lost, stolen, or destroyed, Form I-90 is generally used to request a replacement.
USCIS may require a copy of the previous card, if available, or another government-issued identity document containing identifying information.
If a card was stolen, consider keeping a record of the loss or theft for your files.
Incorrect Information on the Card
Form I-90 may also be used when a Green Card contains incorrect information or when certain biographic information has legally changed.
The filing requirements and whether a fee applies can depend on why the information is incorrect, so check the current USCIS instructions for the specific situation.
Legal Name Changes
If your legal name changed after the Green Card was issued, USCIS may require documentation establishing the legal name change.
Examples can include a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order, depending on the circumstances.
Important — Two-Year Conditional Green Cards Are Different
A two-year conditional Green Card generally is not renewed with Form I-90 when the conditional period is ending.
Conditional residents based on marriage generally use Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence.
Conditional permanent residents based on qualifying EB-5 investment generally use Form I-829, Petition by Investor to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status.
These petitions normally involve special filing periods connected to the second anniversary of obtaining conditional residence.
Do not simply file Form I-90 to extend a two-year conditional status.
A Conditional Resident May Sometimes Use Form I-90
A conditional resident may still use Form I-90 for certain replacement situations before the final 90-day period of conditional residence — for example, if a card is lost or damaged.
However, Form I-90 does not substitute for the required petition to remove conditions when conditional residence is approaching expiration.
Green Card Renewal Is Not Naturalization
Renewing a Green Card and applying for U.S. citizenship are separate processes.
Some permanent residents may qualify for naturalization even when their Green Card is approaching expiration.
See Open Door Peace’s separate Citizenship page for general information about naturalization.
International Travel
Permanent residents should be careful when traveling internationally with an expired, missing, or soon-to-expire Green Card.
Whether available documents are sufficient can depend on the circumstances and length of the trip.
Do not wait until arriving at the airport to investigate a documentation problem. Check current USCIS and travel requirements before leaving the United States.
Before Filing
You may need information or documents concerning:
- Your Alien Registration Number
- Current or expired Green Card
- Legal name
- Date and place of birth
- Immigration classification
- Mailing and physical address
- Evidence explaining why a replacement is needed
- Legal name-change documents, when applicable
- Government-issued identification
USCIS will specify the evidence required for your particular filing reason.
Keep Your Address Current
Make sure USCIS has your correct mailing address while the application is pending.
A Green Card sent to an old address can create additional delay and replacement problems.
Also remember that filing a change of address with the postal service does not necessarily satisfy immigration address-reporting requirements.
Avoid Green Card Renewal Scams
Be cautious of anyone who:
- Claims they can guarantee faster approval
- Pretends to be USCIS and demands immediate payment
- Asks for payment by gift card or cryptocurrency
- Requests your USCIS password
- Charges for a government form while pretending to be an official government website
Use USCIS.gov for current forms and filing instructions.
Protect Your Information
A Green Card renewal application contains sensitive personal and immigration information.
Do not send Social Security numbers, Alien Registration Numbers, passport numbers, USCIS account passwords, banking information, or copies of identity documents to Open Door Peace through ordinary website messages or email.
Use official secure government systems or a qualified legal representative when transmitting sensitive information.
Important
Open Door Peace provides general immigration information and navigation.
We do not determine whether Form I-90 is appropriate for a particular person, establish attorney-client representation through this webpage, prepare an individual immigration filing based only on website information, or guarantee USCIS approval.
Green Card rules can differ for conditional residents, people with older forms of permanent-resident documentation, people in removal proceedings, or those with unusual immigration histories.
Always confirm current requirements directly with USCIS or obtain qualified immigration legal assistance when your situation is uncertain.