Form I-90: Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card

Filing Guide

Form I-90 covers several different situations: your standard 10-year green card is expiring or has already expired, it was lost, stolen, or damaged, it has incorrect information due to a USCIS error, or your legal name has changed since it was issued.

One important distinction: this form is only for standard 10-year cards. If you have a 2-year conditional green card (most commonly from a marriage under 2 years old, or an EB-5 investment), you don't use I-90 — you file I-751 (marriage) or I-829 (investors) instead. Filing I-90 for a conditional card is one of the most common, costly mistakes people make.

USCIS generally advises filing within 6 months of your card's expiration date, not earlier — filing too early can result in rejection.

Required Documents

• A copy of your current or expired green card
• Government-issued photo ID
• For a legal name change: certified marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order reflecting the new name
• For a card with a USCIS error: the card itself showing the mistake
• Payment for the filing fee, or a completed Form I-912 fee waiver request with supporting proof

Common Mistakes

• Filing I-90 for a 2-year conditional card instead of I-751 or I-829 — this wastes the fee and the time
• Filing more than 6 months before the card's expiration date
• Using an outdated edition of the form
• Missing the specific evidence needed for a name change
• Paying the wrong fee amount, or mismatching online vs. paper fee amounts

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I travel while my I-90 is pending?

Your receipt notice, often combined with your expired or current card, generally serves as evidence of your status for a period — but international travel while a renewal is pending can still be complicated, so plan carefully and keep your documentation with you.

Do I need to redo biometrics?

Often yes, unless you're only renewing due to simple expiration and USCIS already has recent biometrics on file — USCIS will notify you if an appointment is needed.

Is I-90 cheaper filed online?

Yes, filing online is typically less expensive than filing by paper — check the current USCIS fee schedule for the exact difference.

Typical Process Flow

File I-90 (within 6 months of expiration, or upon loss/damage/error) → Receipt notice → Biometrics appointment (if needed) → Case reviewed → Approval → New 10-year card mailed.