If your green card gets lost, stolen, or damaged, many worst-case scenarios may run through your mind. Mainly, you may worry that without this proof of identification, you may be deported from the United States. However, you may rest easier knowing that losing your physical green card does not equate to losing your permanent resident status. So it is best if you remain calm and follow a certain set of procedures to get it replaced. With that being said, please read on to discover what to do if you need to replace your green card and how one of the seasoned green card lawyers at Lupton Law LLC can help you get a firm handle on this situation straight away.
What steps should I take if I need to replace my green card?
At Lupton Law, LLC, we understand that accidents happen and that sometimes they are out of your reasonable control. For one, your green card may have gotten damaged if you experienced a house fire. Or, your green card may have gotten stolen with the rest of the contents in your wallet in a pickpocketing incident on the street. Lastly, your green card may have been misplaced during your move from one house to another. In any event, you may follow these simple steps to get your green card replaced immediately:
- You may fill out and file Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card.
- You may submit your form alongside supporting documents:
- A photocopy or original copy of your green card.
- A copy of another government-issued ID (i.e., your driver’s license).
- Evidence reflecting your legal status in the United States.
- Evidence reflecting your biographical information.
- You may submit your form alongside the required filing fee:
- Approximately $415 if you are filing online.
- Approximately $465 if you are filing by mail.
What should I do if I need to replace my green card while abroad?
Critically, Form I-90 can only be filled out and filed if you are currently in the United States. So you may feel overwhelmed if your green card gets lost, stolen, or damaged while traveling abroad. This panic may double over if your green card is what you need to gain reentry into the U.S. Rest assured, there is still a solution to this predicament, though it may be a little more complex.
First things first, you should notify the local police about your lost, stolen, or damaged green card. This is so you may obtain a copy of an official police report. From here, you may take this report to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate and follow their directions.
Usually, a U.S. embassy or consulate would instruct to fill out and file Form I-131A, Application for a Travel Document. This is so you may retrieve a boarding foil, a document that shows transportation carriers your allowance to enter the U.S. Lastly, once you make it to the U.S., you can work on Form I-90.
There is much to consider before applying to replace your permanent resident card. To help you make the right considerations, please consult with one of the competent green card lawyers. Our team at Lupton Law LLC will guide you toward the best decision.
