Lost Your Green Card? Here’s What to Do Next

It takes years of careful planning and legal compliance to finally become eligible for a green card. So, naturally, losing or misplacing your green card can feel overwhelming.

Fortunately, a lost green card can be replaced easily. In fact, in the third quarter of 2025, USCIS received a total of 231,662 applications to replace a green card, according to the USCIS data.

There are also ways to travel and keep your lawful status during the replacement process. In this guide, you’ll learn the exact steps to take after losing a green card, how to apply for a replacement, associated fees, processing times, and more.

First Steps to Take After a Lost Green Card

If you’ve lost your green card and you believe it was stolen, the first step is to report the lost green card to your local police department. This will create an official record of your card being stolen. It will also help protect you against any identity theft crimes.

After this, you should report the lost or stolen green card to the USCIS Contact Center. This way, it can be noted in your immigration record. Once you complete these steps, you can apply for a replacement or renew your green card.

How to Replace a Lost Green Card: Filing Form I-90

To replace a lost green card, you can complete and submit a Form I-90 with USCIS. This is the official form used to replace a green card that has been lost, stolen, or damaged.

How to File Form I-90

You can file Form I-90 for a lost green card either online or by mail. While you can choose the method that feels more convenient, filing online is a strongly recommended option. It is much faster. Moreover, it allows you to upload supporting documents directly to your account.

To fill out the Form I-90, you will need to provide your basic personal information and some supporting documents. These will include:

• A copy of your lost green card, if you have it.
• A copy of a government-issued photo ID. For example, a verified driver’s license or your passport.
• Any other documents that prove your lawful permanent resident status. This can be an immigrant visa stamp in your passport.
• Copy of the police report in case your card was stolen. This will help confirm the theft and may even encourage faster processing of your application.

Lost Green Card Fee and How Long It Takes to Replace

The cost to replace a lost green card can vary based on how you file your application. According to the USCIS Fee Schedule for Form I-90, replacing a lost green card costs $415 for online filings and $465 for paper filings. Moreover, if you’re facing a difficult financial situation, you can apply for a fee waiver by submitting Form I-912 alongside your I-90.

Lost Green Card Processing Times

Processing of a lost green card replacement application can take anywhere from 4 to 10 months, depending on how you file. Generally, online applications move faster and can be processed within a few months. In the third quarter of 2025, processing time was 4.5 months on average, according to USCIS data.

Once USCIS receives your application, they issue a receipt notice through Form I-797C. It automatically extends your green card’s validity for 36 months from its expiration date. You can also use it as proof of your continued permanent resident status while your replacement card is in production.

Need Proof of Status Now? Getting a Temporary Green Card Replacement

While you are waiting for a replacement, there are some ways to prove that you are still a lawful permanent resident. The most reliable option is to schedule an appointment at your local USCIS field office and request an I-551 stamp. This stamp is placed directly into your passport. It serves as official and temporary proof of permanent resident status for up to one year.

Similarly, you can get proof of your status for a job. For this purpose, you can use your Form I-797C receipt notice for employment verification. According to USCIS, employers can accept this receipt for Form I-9 purposes as temporary evidence that you are authorized to work. You can even use the same form for traveling purposes.

Can I Travel If I Lost My Green Card?

If you lost your green card and need to travel within the United States, you can still take a domestic flight without the physical card. In most situations, you can show your Form I-797C receipt notice along with a valid government-issued photo ID to meet the identification requirements of the TSA.

How to Handle a Green Card Lost in the Mail or Abroad

If you’ve lost your green card abroad or it never arrived in the mail, you will need to go through additional steps or choose a different approach entirely. Here’s how to handle each situation.

If Your Green Card Went Missing in the Mail

If your Green Card never showed up in the mail, the first thing you should do is log in to your account at the USCIS website and check your case status. The system should list a mailing date and provide a tracking number. If the tracking number shows that the card was never delivered to your address or USCIS lost the green card, you need to take two specific steps:

1. File for a “Missing Mail Search Request” directly with the USPS.
2. Submit a “Non-Delivery of Card” request through the USCIS online system.

If the investigation confirms the card was not delivered, USCIS may replace your Green Card at no cost to you. However, if the USPS tracking information says the card was delivered to your address but you never actually received it, you must file Form I-90 and pay the full filing fee. Also, read our guide on how to avoid common immigration mistakes for more information about handling green card issues.

If You Lost the Green Card While Traveling Abroad

If you lose your Green Card while traveling outside the United States, USCIS will not send a replacement card to you in another country. Your immediate priority is getting permission to return to the United States. To do this, you’ll need to go in person to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Then, you can file Form I-131A.

If your application is approved, the officer will place a “boarding foil” in your passport. A boarding foil is a temporary travel document. It allows an airline to let you board a flight to the United States. Plus, you can re-enter the country as a permanent resident. After you return to the United States, you must then apply for a Green Card replacement.

Final Words

A lost green card is not a threat to your permanent resident status, and it is entirely manageable. You can report a stolen card, file Form I-90 for replacement, and secure an I-551 stamp if you need immediate proof of status.

That said, immigration situations can get complex. Working with a legal expert who specializes in handling green cards can make a meaningful difference in helping you avoid serious issues.

At Toure-Hernandez & Associates, P.C., we help individuals and families apply, maintain, and replace their green card through expert legal guidance. As a firm founded by first-generation immigrants, we understand both the legal requirements and the personal challenges involved in maintaining lawful permanent resident status. Contact us today to protect your green card and your lawful status in the US.