Renewing or Replacing a Green Card with Form I-90: What USCIS Says
By Pacheco Couceiro
Lawful permanent residents in Brownsville and across the Rio Grande Valley use their Permanent Resident Card, often called a Green Card, at work, at the bridge, and at the airport. When a card is close to expiring, is lost, or shows the wrong name, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) generally directs permanent residents to Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card. This article summarizes USCIS materials on who uses Form I-90, common reasons to file, evidence, filing options, and what happens after filing. Sources were checked on October 20, 2026. It does not determine anyone's eligibility, does not promise an outcome, and is not a substitute for individualized legal advice.
Why a valid card matters
USCIS states that, as a lawful permanent resident, you must have a valid, unexpired Green Card or equivalent documentation with you at all times, and that applying for naturalization does not change this requirement (USCIS: Form I-90). USCIS also quotes Section 264 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which requires every noncitizen 18 years of age and over to carry the registration document issued to them (USCIS: Replace Your Green Card).
Who uses Form I-90, and who does not
According to the Form I-90 instructions (PDF), the form is used by lawful permanent residents and permanent residents in commuter status to replace or renew an existing card. Conditional permanent residents may use it to replace a card, but not one that is expired or will expire within 90 days.
USCIS states that conditional residents seeking to remove conditions should not file Form I-90. Instead, they file Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence, for a card obtained through marriage, or Form I-829 for a card obtained through investment (USCIS: Form I-90).
Common reasons to file
USCIS lists situations in which a lawful permanent resident must replace a Green Card (USCIS: Replace Your Green Card), including when:
- The card is expired or will expire within the next six months.
- The card was lost, stolen, mutilated, or destroyed.
- You received the card before age 14 and have reached your 14th birthday, unless the card expires before your 16th birthday.
- You have been a commuter and are now taking up actual residence in the United States, or you have been residing in the United States and are now taking up commuter status.
- You have an older version of the alien registration card that is no longer valid.
- The card contains incorrect information, or you legally changed your name or other biographic information.
- You never received the card USCIS issued.
A note for commuters in the border region
The Form I-90 instructions include specific notes for commuters, a status that matters in border communities. A commuter who continues to reside in a foreign contiguous territory may give a foreign mailing address and indicate which U.S. port of entry they use, and USCIS uses that information to send the card to that port of entry for pick-up. Otherwise, USCIS states that it will not mail a card to a foreign address, only to a valid U.S. mailing address (Form I-90 instructions).
Evidence USCIS asks for
The evidence depends on the reason selected in Part 2 of the form. Examples from the instructions:
- Expired or expiring card: a copy of the expired or expiring card. The instructions warn that if the card will not expire within six months, the application may be denied.
- Lost, stolen, or destroyed card: a copy of the card if you have one, or a government-issued ID showing your name, date of birth, photograph, and signature.
- Incorrect data caused by DHS error: the original card with the incorrect data, plus proof of the correct information.
- Legal name change: legal documents showing the change, such as a registered marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.
The instructions also state that any document in a foreign language must be submitted with a full, certified English translation.
Filing online or by mail
USCIS states that you may file Form I-90 online or by mail. Filing online requires a USCIS online account, which also lets you pay the fee online, check status, receive notices, and respond to requests for evidence (USCIS: Form I-90). If you file on paper, USCIS states that it will scan the documents and create an online account for you.
As of October 20, 2026, the USCIS Form I-90 page lists an edition date of 01/20/25 and warns that all pages must be from the current edition or the form may be rejected. The page also lists the mailing addresses. The filing fee appears on the USCIS Fee Schedule (Form G-1055). Editions, addresses, and fees can change, so confirm them on uscis.gov before filing. USCIS states that an unsigned form will be rejected.
After you file
Receipt notice for renewals. USCIS explains that when you apply to renew, your Form I-90 receipt notice, together with your expired card, serves as evidence of lawful permanent resident status for 36 months from the expiration date on the card (USCIS: Replace Your Green Card).
No card in hand. If you no longer have your card and need evidence of status while waiting, USCIS states that it may issue an ADIT stamp after you file. The USCIS Contact Center assists in English and Spanish.
Biometrics. USCIS may require fingerprints, a photograph, and a signature, and will mail an appointment notice if so. The instructions state that missing the appointment may lead to denial.
Status. USCIS says to wait 72 hours after filing before checking case status online. Our earlier article explains how to check your USCIS case status.
Address changes. If you move, USCIS states that you must update your address through your online account or by filing Form AR-11.
If denied. USCIS states that a Form I-90 denial cannot be appealed, but you may file a motion to reopen or a motion to reconsider with the office that made the decision (USCIS: Replace Your Green Card).
Step by step: a practical overview for South Texas readers
Step 1: Confirm that Form I-90 is the right form
Compare your situation with the USCIS list of reasons. Conditional residents with an expiring two-year card generally look at Form I-751 or I-829 instead.
Step 2: Check the card's expiration date and travel plans
USCIS recommends applying for and receiving a new card before traveling abroad if your card is about to expire. If you are abroad when the card is within six months of expiring and will return within one year and before it expires, USCIS says to file as soon as you return.
Step 3: Gather evidence and translations
Use the evidence list for the reason you select, and include certified English translations for foreign-language documents.
Step 4: Confirm the edition, fee, and filing method
Check uscis.gov/i-90 and the fee schedule the day you file. Sign the form.
Step 5: Keep your receipt notice and follow up
Keep the receipt notice with your expired card, attend any biometrics appointment, and update your address if you move.
Step 6: Protect yourself from notario fraud
USCIS states that in the United States, notary publics are not attorneys and cannot represent you in immigration cases. Its Legal Services page lists who may represent you, including licensed attorneys and DOJ-accredited representatives. Our earlier article covers avoiding notario fraud in the Rio Grande Valley.
Frequently asked questions
Should I check naturalization eligibility before filing Form I-90?
The USCIS Form I-90 page invites applicants to use its Check Naturalization Eligibility tool before filing. Our article on naturalization and Form N-400 basics summarizes USCIS eligibility rules.
Can I work and travel while my renewal is pending?
USCIS states that the renewal receipt notice, with the expired card, says you remain authorized to work and travel during the 36-month period described on the notice.
Does living in the Rio Grande Valley change the process?
No. Form I-90 is a federal process administered by USCIS. Local facts, such as commuter status, may affect which reason and address you use.
Where can I read the official sources?
Start with Form I-90, Replace Your Green Card, the USCIS Fee Schedule, and the USCIS Contact Center.
Questions in the Rio Grande Valley
Pacheco Couceiro assists individuals and families in Brownsville and South Texas with immigration matters under federal law. If you want to review whether Form I-90, Form I-751, or another filing matches your situation, you can contact the office to discuss the official forms involved. This article does not create an attorney-client relationship and does not determine eligibility for any person.
This article is general information, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship.