Form I-90, Replace Your Green Card: When to Use It to Renew, Replace, or Correct a Permanent Resident Card

If your green card is expiring, was lost or stolen, is damaged, or has the wrong information on it, the form you usually need is Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card. This guide explains when to use the I-90, an important fact that puts many people's minds at ease, and one common mix-up to avoid.

This is general information, not legal advice, and government forms change. You can download the current Form I-90 (PDF) here, and always confirm the latest edition and instructions at uscis.gov/i-90.

The most important thing to know first

Many people panic when their green card shows an expiration date. Here is the reassuring part: your status as a lawful permanent resident does not expire — only the card does. A 10-year Permanent Resident Card is evidence of your status, like a driver's license is evidence that you may drive. When the card expires, you are still a permanent resident; you simply need a current card to prove it.

That said, keeping a valid, unexpired card matters in practice: you need it to show work authorization on Form I-9, to re-enter the U.S. after travel, and as government-issued identification. So when the card is close to expiring or is no longer usable, the I-90 is how you get a new one.

When to use Form I-90

You generally file Form I-90 to:

• Renew a Permanent Resident Card that has expired or will expire within the next six months;
• Replace a card that was lost, stolen, destroyed, or damaged;
• Correct a card that contains incorrect information (if the error was USCIS's, there is generally no fee);
• Update your card after a legal name change or other change to your biographic information;
• Replace a card you never received after it was issued; or
• Replace an old version of the card (for example the former AR-3, AR-103, or I-151 cards).

The form notes that your new card will be issued in the name you provide, and that you must attach evidence of any legal name change.

One common mix-up: I-90 is not for conditional residents removing conditions

If you have a two-year "conditional" green card — most often through a recent marriage to a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, or through investment — you generally do not use Form I-90 to get your permanent (10-year) card. Instead you file:

• Form I-751 to remove conditions on a marriage-based conditional residence, or
• Form I-829 to remove conditions on an investor conditional residence.

Using the wrong form can cost time and money, so it is worth confirming which card you hold (look at the expiration: a two-year card usually means conditional residence).

How the process works

• File online or by mail. Many applicants file the I-90 through a USCIS online account; it can also be filed on paper.
• Fee and biometrics. There is typically a filing fee, and many applicants attend a biometrics (fingerprint/photo) appointment.
• Receipt notice as temporary proof. After you file, USCIS issues a receipt notice. In many cases that notice — presented with your expired card — serves as temporary evidence of your continued permanent resident status and work authorization while the new card is produced. Check your specific notice for what it says and how long it is valid.

The current edition is Form I-90 (Edition 01/20/25), which expires 02/28/2027.

Where this fits in the green-card picture

• To obtain a green card from inside the U.S., people use Form I-485 — see our guide, Form I-485, Adjustment of Status.
• To keep your card current once you are a 10-year permanent resident, you use Form I-90.
• Eventually, many permanent residents become eligible to apply for citizenship — see How to Apply for U.S. Citizenship (Form N-400).

Why this matters

An expired or missing green card can create real, everyday problems — at a new job's I-9 check, at the airport returning from a trip, or any time you need to prove your status. Filing the right replacement form, on time and with the correct evidence, keeps your proof of status current and avoids unnecessary delays.

How we can help

If your card is expiring, was lost, or has the wrong information — or if you are not sure whether you hold a conditional card and need I-751/I-829 instead of the I-90 — we can help you confirm the right path and file correctly. As a firm led by a former U.S. Immigration Judge, we handle green-card maintenance alongside the bigger questions of status and citizenship. If you need to replace or renew your card, contact us.

Frequently asked questions

Does my permanent resident status expire when my green card expires?

No. Your status as a lawful permanent resident does not expire — only the card does. You remain a permanent resident, but you should renew the card with Form I-90 because you need a valid card to prove your status for work, travel, and identification.

When can I renew my green card?

You can generally file Form I-90 to renew when your 10-year card has expired or will expire within the next six months. You also file the I-90 to replace a lost, stolen, damaged, or incorrect card.

I have a two-year card — do I use Form I-90?

Usually not. A two-year card means conditional residence. To get your permanent (10-year) card you file Form I-751 (marriage-based) or Form I-829 (investor) to remove conditions — not Form I-90.

What proves my status while I wait for the new card?

After filing, USCIS issues a receipt notice that, in many cases, serves with your expired card as temporary evidence of status and work authorization. Read your notice for the specifics.

Which Form I-90 edition is current?

The current edition is Form I-90 (Edition 01/20/25), expiring 02/28/2027. Always confirm the latest edition and instructions at uscis.gov/i-90.

This article is general legal information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney–client relationship. It does not guarantee any outcome. Forms and requirements change; confirm the current edition and instructions at uscis.gov/i-90 and consult a qualified attorney about your specific situation.