Your I-485 was approved weeks ago. Your case status said the card was mailed. Nothing came. Or your card was in your wallet, and your wallet is gone. What now?
As of November 2, 2026, here's how to replace it, and how to avoid paying a fee you don't owe.
- You must replace a green card that was lost, stolen, mutilated or destroyed, or never received.
- Form I-90 is free if the card was issued, never received, and returned to USCIS as undeliverable.
- If the card was mailed to your address and not returned, you file as lost, stolen or destroyed.
- The general I-90 fee is $415 online or $465 on paper under Form G-1055 (edition 10/26/26).
- You can check whether a card was returned on USCIS's case status page.
- USCIS may issue an ADIT stamp as proof of status while a replacement is pending.
Do you have to replace a missing card?
Yes. USCIS says a permanent resident "must replace your Green Card if" the "previous card was lost, stolen, mutilated, or destroyed" or "you never received the previous card we issued to you" (USCIS, Replace Your Green Card). You do that by filing Form I-90.
It matters because USCIS says "as a lawful permanent resident, you must have a valid, unexpired Green Card or equivalent documentation with you at all times" (USCIS, Form I-90).
Which I-90 reason fits your situation?
This is the key choice, because it sets the fee.
| What happened | I-90 reason | Fee (G-1055, 10/26/26) |
|---|---|---|
| USCIS issued the card, you never got it, and it was returned to USCIS as undeliverable | "My previous card was issued but never received" | $0 |
| Card was mailed to the address you gave, and not returned to USCIS | "My previous card has been lost, stolen, or destroyed" | $415 online / $465 paper |
| Card lost or stolen after you had it | Lost, stolen, or destroyed | $415 online / $465 paper |
The I-90 instructions are blunt about the middle row: "Do not select this reason for filing if the card was mailed to you at the address you provided, and it was never returned as undeliverable to USCIS." In that case, "you must file Form I-90 using reason '2.a.' (My previous card has been lost, stolen, or destroyed)" (USCIS, Instructions for Form I-90).
The fee schedule lists $0 for applicants "filing because we issued your previous card, but you never received it, and it was returned as undeliverable to USCIS," and "Paper Filing: $465 Online Filing: $415" for general filing (USCIS, Form G-1055).
How do you find out whether the card came back?
Check your case. The instructions say "to determine if your card was returned to USCIS, check your case status online at www.uscis.gov/casestatus," or call the USCIS Contact Center (USCIS, Instructions for Form I-90). Our guide to checking USCIS case status explains what each status means. To keep access to your online account, see our guide to USCIS account verification codes.
Before filing, also make sure USCIS had your current address. Permanent residents must report moves, and our guide to the AR-11 change of address explains how.
What do you send with the I-90?
For a card never received, the instructions ask for "a copy of the latest Form I-797, Notice of Action" for the application that should have produced the card, such as your I-485 approval. For other reasons, you generally include a copy of your card if you have one, or a government ID with your name, date of birth, photo and signature, such as a passport or driver's license.
You can file online or by mail. USCIS says online filing lets you "see when we receive your application" and "receive online updates on your case."
How do you prove your status while you wait?
Ask for an ADIT stamp. USCIS says that "if you no longer have your Permanent Resident Card and you need evidence of your lawful permanent resident status while waiting to receive your replacement Card, we may issue you an Alien Documentation, Identification & Telecommunications (ADIT) stamp after you file this form" (USCIS, Replace Your Green Card). Our guide to the I-551 stamp explains how to request one. If the card arrives with a mistake instead, our guide to fixing wrong information on a green card covers that.
What if the card was stolen?
Your green card carries your A-Number and photo, so act quickly. Keep a record of when and where it went missing, and file the I-90 promptly so you have a receipt and, if needed, an ADIT stamp. If you lose your card outside the US, the steps are different; our guide to losing a green card abroad covers them.
What this means for you
- Check case status before choosing an I-90 reason.
- It's free only if the card was returned to USCIS as undeliverable.
- A card delivered to your address and lost is filed as lost, with the general fee.
- Send your latest I-797 for a card never received.
- Ask for an ADIT stamp if you need proof of status while you wait.
Where to start
Still on the way to a green card? Our free evaluation at /evaluate/ checks whether EB-1A or the NIW fits your profile, and Frank, our AI assistant at /frank, helps you build the evidence. Petitions are reviewed and filed by our partner law firm, Lai & Turner.
Sources
All checked November 2, 2026.
- USCIS, Replace Your Green Card. When to replace; online filing; ADIT stamp.
- USCIS, Instructions for Form I-90 (01/20/25). Never received vs lost; evidence; case status check.
- USCIS, Form G-1055 Fee Schedule (edition 10/26/26). I-90 fees and $0 categories.
- USCIS, Form I-90. Carrying your card.
Frequently asked questions
What should I do if my green card was approved but never arrived?
First check your case status online or call the USCIS Contact Center to see whether the card was mailed and whether it came back as undeliverable. If it was returned to USCIS, you file Form I-90 for a card issued but never received, with no fee. If it was delivered to your address and isn't there, you file as lost, stolen or destroyed.
Do I have to pay to replace a green card that never arrived?
Only in some cases. Form G-1055 lists a $0 fee if USCIS issued the card, you never received it, and it was returned as undeliverable. The I-90 instructions say that if the card was mailed to the address you gave and wasn't returned, you must file under the lost, stolen or destroyed reason, which carries the general fee.
How much does it cost to replace a lost green card?
As of Form G-1055 edition 10/26/26, the general Form I-90 fee is $415 if you file online and $465 on paper. Form G-1055 says certain filers may qualify for a fee waiver using Form I-912. Check the fee schedule on the day you file, since fees can change.
How do I prove I'm a green card holder while my replacement is pending?
USCIS says that if you no longer have your card and need evidence of status while you wait, it may issue an Alien Documentation, Identification and Telecommunications (ADIT) stamp after you file Form I-90. Contact USCIS through its Contact Center to ask for one. The receipt notice alone works with an expired card for renewals, not for a missing card.
My green card was lost while I was traveling abroad. Is it the same process?
No. If you're outside the US without your card, the I-90 is generally not the first step, because you need a document to return. Our separate guide on losing a green card abroad covers that situation.
Green Card Guide AI is not a law firm and this article is not legal advice. It describes evidence-building strategy in general terms; your attorney determines what belongs in your petition and how it's argued.
