If you need to replace a lost green card, you could do so by filing either Form I-90 or Form I-131A, depending on whether you are in the U.S. or abroad at the time of losing your green card. Knowing what to expect with the replacement process could help you avoid issues with your immigration status.
For some additional guidance on replacing a lost green card or other aspects of immigration law, call Cho Immigration Law at 312-853-3088 to meet with an experienced green card attorney today.
How to Replace a Missing Green Card
As of January 2024, the Office of Homeland Security Statistics estimates there were around 12.8 million green card holders in the U.S.
Any one of these lawful permanent residents (LPRs) can lose his or her immigration documentation at any point, including a green card, which is why it’s important to know how to replace it as soon as possible.
Here, you’ll learn more about how to replace your green card, whether it becomes lost or stolen.
Steps to Take if You’ve Lost Your Green Card
If you lose your green card while staying in the U.S., you will need to complete Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card (Green Card). The current fee to complete this form is $455, while the biometric data costs $85 to submit, and you won’t be able to refund these fees at any time. You will also need to provide supporting documentation to prove that you are the owner of the lost green card, which would ideally include a copy of your green card that should remain in a safe place.
If you don’t have a copy of your green card, another form of official government-issued identification could work, such as a driver’s license or passport, which must contain:
- Your name
- Date of birth
- Photograph
- Signature
On the other hand, if you lose or have your green card stolen while out of the U.S., you will need to file Form I-131A, Application for Carrier Documentation, at a nearby American consulate. To do so, you must begin by contacting local law enforcement, filing an official police report, and reaching out to the consulate soon after.
The fee for completing Form I-131A is $360, and there is no fee for obtaining biometrics. However, once you reenter the U.S., you will need to complete the above process involving Form I-90.
To prevent issues from arising at any point when applying for a green card replacement, it’s best to work with a green card lawyer in Chicago for assistance. The right lawyer can work with you to complete and organize all necessary paperwork, keeping the process smooth and minimizing the risk of a rejected or slow application.
What if You Lose Documentation for Naturalization, Citizenship, or Repatriation in Chicago?
In some cases, people undergoing naturalization or who have become citizens may also lose critical documentation under unfortunate circumstances, making it important to know how to replace these documents to avoid problems with your current citizenship or the naturalization process.
To replace any of this documentation, you will need to complete Form N-565, Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document. Like other U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) forms, Form N-565 will come with a non-refundable fee. The fee at this time is $555. You will then need to file this form with all necessary supporting documentation to complete the replacement process, including proof of naturalization or citizenship.
Consequences of Not Replacing Critical Documentation
If you neglect to replace your green card or any other documentation supporting your immigrant status, you could face serious consequences.
For example, you might experience issues with:
Travel
You may struggle to enter the U.S. at customs without proper documentation, regardless of your current status, and you may be unable to board domestic or international flights within the U.S.
Employment
If you wish to gain employment in the U.S., your employer may require your green card or other relevant documentation to prove that you’re in the country legally for work authorization. Without the necessary documentation, you could experience delays or denials with prospective employers, setting you back financially.
Legal Problems
If immigration authorities discover that you are without proper documentation, you could face legal issues, ranging anywhere from fines to deportation.
Obtaining a Driver’s License
You may also struggle to get a driver’s license that would allow you to legally operate a vehicle in the U.S. and use this document for identification purposes.
Accessing Certain Services
Some benefits to LPRs and citizens may become unavailable to you if you don’t have documentation proving your status.
Why You Should Contact an Immigration Attorney for a Lost Green Card
In the event of a lost green card, it’s in your best interest to reach out to a reputable immigration attorney with experience handling these kinds of cases.
The right lawyer will be able to help you by ensuring you complete all necessary forms, complete and organize all supporting documentation, and help generally guide you through the process of obtaining replacements for your documentation.
Going it alone could put you at risk of making certain mistakes and hurt your chances of successfully applying for replacements. In addition to securing a replacement green card or other documentation, a dependable lawyer could help immigrants in the following key ways:
Appealing a Denied Form
If USCIS denies Form I-90, Form I-131A, or Form N-595 out of error, your lawyer may be able to help you appeal this decision by providing a formal explanation via Form I-290B, Notice of Appeal or Motion.
Doing so could overturn the original decision and help put you back on track to replace your documents.
Expediting the Application Process
You may also wonder how to speed up the green card process and get your replacement documents sooner. A lawyer could work with you to make sure all documentation is ready to go from the start and continually track your progress, regularly informing you of your status while keeping the process smooth.
Helping File an Initial Green Card Application
If you have yet to file for a green card to become an LPR, you can do so with the help of a green card attorney. For instance, you might ask, “How can I correct a mistake on my green card?” or “How do I file my application?”
A good lawyer can provide detailed advice and guidance throughout the entire process, helping secure a favorable outcome. You’ll never be in the dark regarding the process or what it entails, from the forms you need to complete and deadlines for submission to supporting documentation and application approval timelines.
Defending Your Rights as an LPR
If you face legal issues as an LPR, national, or a citizen, an immigration attorney could inform you of your rights and step in to protect them. For example, if you face removal or deportation at any point, your attorney could defend you during this process and help you stay in the U.S., arguing that you have legal grounds for remaining in the U.S.
If you face persecution or have previously experienced it in your country of origin, an attorney could also help you remain in the country as an asylee or refugee. Additionally, you could get protection from discrimination, such as those that an employer demonstrates by not hiring you for a particular position, regardless of your qualifications and proper verifiable documentation.
Answer Questions Regarding Immigration
If you have other questions regarding immigration, such as those around how much a green card costs or what steps you need to take to successfully become an LPR or citizen in the U.S., an attorney is available to answer.
You should be able to get some clarity when it comes to immigration in the U.S., helping you determine what steps to take to secure your place in this country, sponsor family members, or get other critical knowledge to help you in your attempts to better understand U.S. immigration.
Connect With a Green Card Attorney Today
If you lose your green card, naturalization documents, or proof of citizenship, there are steps you can take to replace those documents as needed. However, the process of replacing these documents can be just as daunting as initially applying for them, which is why it’s often ideal to have an experienced lawyer by your side.
Get the proper guidance from an attorney you can trust, such as the experienced and knowledgeable legal team at Cho Immigration Law. We can help you determine what steps to take and guide you on any type of immigration matter.
Contact us today to consult with one of our experienced Chicago immigration attorneys and discuss your needs, whether you’ve lost a green card or need help with another aspect of immigration law..
