Green Card Holders Who Turn 14: Why Form I-90 Is Due Within 30 Days

Many families are surprised to learn that a birthday can bring a filing deadline. If a green card holder turns 14 while living in the United States, USCIS expects that person to register and give fingerprints. The usual way to do this is by filing Form I-90, the application that replaces or renews a green card. A recent news report has put this rule back in the spotlight, but the requirement itself is not new. The deadline is short. According to the Form I-90 instructions, the registration and fingerprinting must happen within 30 days after the 14th birthday. Missing that window can cause problems later, so it is worth marking the date on your calendar as soon as your child gets close to 14. The filing fee depends on when the current card expires. If the card will expire after the 16th birthday, the age-14 filing can be made with no USCIS filing fee. If the card expires before the 16th birthday, the regular Form I-90 fee may apply instead. For the current fee schedule, USCIS published a new edition of Form G-1055 on October 16, 2026. Under that schedule, the regular fee is $415 when filed online and $465 when filed on paper. Please check uscis.gov before you pay, because fees can change and a wrong amount can lead to your request being rejected. You will usually need a copy of the current green card for this filing. If you filed online, you will need a USCIS online account. After you file, USCIS may schedule a biometrics appointment, which means a visit to collect fingerprints and a photo. Keep your receipt notice and any appointment letters in a safe place. Parents and legal guardians have their own duty for children under 14. Those children must also be registered, and a parent or guardian may sign the application for a child under 14. Families with a mix of statuses should read the instructions carefully, because conditional permanent residents use a different section of the form and may face different rules. What this means for you: If your child is a green card holder and will turn 14 soon, or recently turned 14, check the date now. Look at the expiration date on the card to see which filing reason applies, and compare the fee to the current USCIS fee schedule. If you missed the 30-day window, or if you are not sure whether your card expires before or after the 16th birthday, talk to an immigration attorney before you file. A lawyer can review the card, the timing, and any past filings in your case. USCIS case status and processing times can take time to show changes after you file. If you have a receipt number, you can use our site to track it, but please keep your original documents safe and do not mail originals unless the instructions tell you to. This article is general information, not legal advice. Sources: USCIS: Alien Registration Requirement: https://www.uscis.gov/alienregistration USCIS: Instructions for Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card: https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/i-90instr.pdf El Cronista: USCIS says permanent residents must urgently file Form I-90 once they turn 14: https://www.cronista.com/en/immigration/uscis-says-permanent-residents-must-urgently-file-form-i-90-once-they-turn-14/ Inmigreat: USCIS fees 2026 (G-1055 ed. 10/16/26): https://www.inmigreat.com/en/guides/uscis-fees-2026/ Photo: Ingo Zöll on Unsplash