A
green card is now officially called a permanent resident card.
A permanent resident card, is the evidence of your status as a lawful
permanent resident with a right to live and work permanently in the
United States. It also is the evidence of your registration in accordance
with United States immigration laws. The permanent resident card is
also called USCIS form I-551, and it used to be called alien registration
receipt card.
Your permanent green card needs to be replaced if:
-
Your previous card was lost, stolen, mutilated,
or destroyed.
-
Your card was issued to you before you were 14
and you have reached your 14th birthday.
-
You have been a commuter and are now taking up
actual residence in the United States.
-
You have been a permanent resident residing in
the United States and are now taking up commuter status.
-
Your status has been automatically converted
to permanent resident status.
-
You have a previous version of the green card
called alien registration card (USCIS form AR-3, form AR-103, or
form I-151 - they are no longer valid to prove your immigration
status) and must replace it with the current permanent resident
card form I-551.
-
Your card contains incorrect data.
-
Your name or other biographic information on
the card has been legally changed since you last received your card.
-
You never received the previous permanent resident
card that was issued to you by the USCIS.
Applying to replace your permanent resident card.
If you are a permanent resident, who needs to replace your card,
or conditional resident who needs to replace your two-year card, for
any of the reasons listed above, you may apply for a replacement card
by filing a USCIS Form I-90. This procedure should not be used by
lawful permanent residents who are seeking to renew their ten-year
green card only because the card is
expiring or has expired.
Form I-90 states all the documentation and photos that must be submitted.
Detailed information is provided in the instructions. Unless otherwise
instructed, you should file the application, along with supporting
documentation and fees in person at the local USCIS office serving
the area where you live. If you are outside the U.S. and have
lost your alien registration card, contact the nearest American Consulate.
Temporary evidence of your status for travel and employment.
At the time that you are completing the fingerprint and signature
requirements, necessary for the adjudication of the form I-90 and
the issuance of the replacement card, you may request temporary evidence
of your permanent resident status, valid for travel and employment
purposes.
Denial to replace your permanent resident card.
If your application for a replacement alien registration card(green
card)is denied, you will receive a letter that will tell you why the
application was denied. You will not be allowed to appeal a negative
decision. However, you may submit a motion to reopen or a motion to
reconsider with the same office that made the unfavorable decision.
By filing such a motion, you may ask the office to reexamine or reconsider
its decision. A motion to reopen must state the new facts that are
to be provided in the reopened proceeding and must be accompanied
by the appropriate documentary evidence. A motion to reconsider must
establish that the decision to deny your application was based on
an incorrect application of immigration law or USCIS policy, and further
establish that the decision was incorrect based on the evidence in
the file at the time the decision was made.
Related topics:
Directory of immigration attorneys in
the US.
US green card lottery.
