Green Card Renewal New Hope Immigration Services Orlando, FL

Lost or Stolen Green Card: What to Do and How to Get a Replacement

Q: How long does replacement take?

Same as a standard renewal — 12 to 24 months currently. There is no fast track for lost/stolen replacements.

Losing your Green Card is stressful, but it happens. Your permanent resident status does not disappear with the card, what you need is a replacement document as quickly as possible. Here is exactly what to do.

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Immediate Steps After Discovering Loss or Theft

First: check thoroughly, retrace your steps and check common locations. Second: report theft to local police and obtain a police report number (useful for I-90 documentation). Third: if you believe your identity may be compromised, contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at identitytheft.gov and consider placing a fraud alert on your credit. Fourth: begin the I-90 process as soon as possible.

Filing Form I-90 for a Replacement

Use Form I-90 with the basis 'My card has been lost, stolen, or destroyed.' Complete the form accurately, including the approximate date and circumstances of the loss. Submit the $455 filing fee plus the $85 biometrics fee. If the card was stolen, attach a copy of the police report.

How to Prove Your Status While Waiting

After filing I-90, you will receive an I-797 receipt notice. This receipt notice does not alone prove your status, you will need to obtain an Arrival/Departure Record from CBP or request an emergency travel document from USCIS if you need to travel urgently. For employment I-9 verification, the receipt notice combined with a List B document (like a state ID) can be used.

Emergency Travel Situations

If you need to travel internationally while waiting for your replacement card, contact the nearest U.S. consulate about options. In some cases, USCIS can issue a temporary transportation letter. Plan ahead, this process takes time.

Preventing Future Loss

Once you receive your new card: make a high-quality color copy and store it separately. Consider scanning it and storing the image securely in a password-protected file. Do not carry your Green Card daily unless necessary, a state driver's license suffices for most everyday identification purposes.

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Every immigration case is different. Our team can review your documents and explain your options.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Will USCIS know my card was lost if I find it later?

Keep USCIS informed. If you find the card after filing I-90, you do not need to take special action, simply do not use the old card. USCIS will issue a new one and the old one will be deactivated.

Can someone else use my Green Card?

Your Green Card contains biometric information and is difficult to fraudulently use, but report theft to local police and monitor your credit and immigration records.

How long does replacement take?

Same as a standard renewal, 12 to 24 months currently. There is no fast track for lost/stolen replacements.

Do I need a lawyer to replace a lost Green Card?

It is a straightforward process, but if your card was lost and you are not sure how it affects your travel or employment situation, a professional review is a good investment.

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