How to Renew or Replace a Green Card, Step by Step

Quick answer: File Form I-90 with USCIS — online or by mail — either within six months before your 10-year green card expires (renewal) or as soon as possible if it was lost, stolen, damaged, or contains wrong information (replacement). Most I-90 cases process in several months, USCIS issues an extension letter or notice for those who need immediate proof of status, and you should file even if you're a permanent resident who technically isn't required to renew but needs a valid card to work, travel, or prove status.

Key takeaways

• Form I-90 is the single form for both renewing and replacing a green card, according to USCIS's own I-90 instructions.
• You can file up to six months before your current 10-year card expires — filing earlier than that window will typically result in a rejected application.
• 10-year cards expire and must be renewed; 2-year conditional cards must be replaced using Form I-751 or I-829 instead of I-90.
• USCIS provides some I-90 filers with a receipt notice or extension notice that serves as temporary proof of status while the new card is produced.

Step 1: Confirm You Actually Need Form I-90

Form I-90 is USCIS's form for renewing or replacing a permanent resident card (green card), but it isn't the right form for every card holder. Check which category you're in before you file anything.

• 10-year green card is expiring or expired → file Form I-90.
• Green card was lost, stolen, or destroyed → file Form I-90.
• Card has a typo, wrong date, or outdated photo → file Form I-90.
• You have a 2-year conditional green card based on marriage → file Form I-751 instead, not I-90.
• You have a 2-year conditional green card based on investment (EB-5) → file Form I-829 instead, not I-90.
• You legally changed your name → file Form I-90, and be ready to submit supporting documents like a marriage certificate or court order.

If you're not sure whether your card is a 10-year or 2-year card, look at the expiration date and category code printed on the front. Conditional cards are clearly marked with a 2-year validity period. Filing the wrong form is one of the more common reasons applications get delayed, so this first check matters more than people expect.

Don't skip this: a 10-year green card that has fully expired does not mean your permanent resident status has expired. According to USCIS, your status as a lawful permanent resident continues even after the physical card expires — but you need a valid card to work, re-enter the U.S. after travel, or prove your status to an employer, so don't put off filing.

Step 2: Know Your Filing Window

If you're renewing an expiring 10-year card, USCIS allows you to file Form I-90 up to six months before the expiration date printed on the card — not sooner. Filing too early is a real risk: USCIS's I-90 instructions state that applications filed more than six months ahead of expiration may be rejected, which just costs you time you didn't need to lose.

If your situation isn't a standard renewal, timing works differently:

Mark your calendar the day your card arrives, not the week before it expires. If you're already tracking your case, a tool like the case tracker inside MyCheck can flag the six-month window automatically so it's not something you have to remember on your own.

Step 3: Gather Your Documents Before You Start the Form

Having everything ready before you open the application saves you from a stalled filing later. Use this checklist to prepare:

• Locate your current or most recent green card (front and back copies if filing by mail).
• Confirm your USCIS Alien Registration Number (A-Number), printed on your card.
• Gather a government-issued photo ID if your card was lost or stolen.
• Collect a police report if the card was stolen, if you have one — not always required, but useful to have.
• Get a certified copy of your legal name-change document (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order) if applicable.
• Take two passport-style photos if filing by mail (online filers upload a photo digitally).
• Confirm the current I-90 filing fee on the USCIS fee schedule, since USCIS periodically adjusts fees.
• Check whether you qualify for a fee waiver if the card error was USCIS's mistake — no fee applies in that case.
• Save your online USCIS account login (or create one) if you plan to file electronically.

If you're building out a full green card file — not just a renewal — our green card application checklist breaks down every document category in more depth.

Step 4: File Form I-90 — Online or by Mail

You have two options, and USCIS treats them equally: file Form I-90 online through your USCIS online account, or file a paper form by mail to the address listed in the current form instructions. Online filing tends to be faster to submit and easier to track, since status updates appear directly in your USCIS account.

Whichever route you choose:

• Answer every question completely — an incomplete I-90 is one of the more common causes of a Request for Evidence (RFE).
• Double-check your A-Number against your current card; a transposed digit can create real delays.
• Pay the correct fee through the accepted payment method for your filing type (credit card online, check or money order by mail).
• Sign and date the form if filing on paper — USCIS rejects unsigned paper applications outright.
• Keep a full copy of everything you submit, including proof of any fee waiver request.

Once submitted, USCIS will send a receipt notice (Form I-797C) confirming they've received your case. That receipt number is what lets you track progress going forward — and it's the exact number you'd plug into a case tracker to watch for status changes.

Step 5: Attend Biometrics If USCIS Schedules One

Not every I-90 filer needs new biometrics, but many do — USCIS will notify you by mail if an appointment is required. If your fingerprints, photo, and signature are already on file and still valid, USCIS may waive this step entirely.

If you do get scheduled, the appointment is typically short and straightforward. We've covered what actually happens in the room, what to bring, and how to reschedule if needed, in USCIS Biometrics Appointments: What to Expect, Step by Step — worth a read if this is your first time going through it.

Step 6: Track Your Case While You Wait

Processing time for Form I-90 varies significantly by service center and current USCIS workload, and there's no single number that applies to everyone. Rather than guessing, check your specific case using USCIS's own case status system with the receipt number from your I-797C notice.

This is also where a USCIS case tracker becomes genuinely useful instead of just convenient. MyCheck's tracker monitors your I-90 status in real time and sends a push notification the moment something changes — an update most people would otherwise only discover by refreshing a government website repeatedly. It pulls from USCIS's published processing time data for your specific form and service center, which gives you a realistic range rather than a vague guess. That's not a prediction about your individual case — USCIS doesn't provide those — but it's far more useful than radio silence.

While you wait, here's what typically happens:

• USCIS may issue an extension letter or a notice that, combined with your expired card, serves as temporary proof of your status for certain purposes.
• If USCIS needs more information, you'll get a Request for Evidence — respond by the stated deadline or your case can be denied.
• Once approved, your new card is produced and mailed to the address on file, so keep your address updated with USCIS if you move mid-process.

For more detail on how USCIS notices, delays, and case stages generally work, What to Expect During USCIS Processing: Timeline, Delays, and How to Stay Informed covers the mechanics beyond just the I-90 form.

Step 7: What to Do If You Need Proof of Status Right Now

If you need to travel, start a new job, or prove your status before your new card arrives, don't assume you're stuck. USCIS has documented processes for exactly this situation, though the specific accommodation depends on your circumstances — confirm current procedures directly with USCIS or through your local field office.

• Check your I-797C receipt notice — for certain I-90 filers, it functions as temporary evidence of status when presented with the expired card.
• Ask about an ADIT stamp (a temporary I-551 stamp in your passport) at a local USCIS field office if you need to travel internationally and your case is still pending.
• Contact USCIS through your online account or the contact center if a scheduled appointment or job start date is at risk because of a pending renewal.
• Avoid international travel with an expired card and no other proof of status unless you've confirmed with USCIS that you can safely re-enter.

What to Do Next

File Form I-90 as soon as you're inside the six-month window — or immediately, if your card is lost, stolen, or already expired. From there, the biggest lever you have is staying informed: knowing your receipt number, watching for RFEs, and catching a status change the day it happens rather than weeks later.

If you'd rather not check a government portal manually every few days, MyCheck tracks your I-90 case in real time, sends a notification the moment your status updates, and can generate a personalized checklist for exactly what your situation requires. It's free to track one case, with 14 language options and a community of other immigrants who've been through the same renewal process — useful when you just want to know you're not the only one waiting.

Related articles

• Green Card Application Checklist: What Documents You Actually Need
• How to Check Your USCIS Case Status: What to Expect at Each Stage
• What to Expect During USCIS Processing: Timeline, Delays, and How to Stay Informed