I-90 Form Guide: Renew or Replace Your Green Card
Learn how to file Form I-90 to renew or replace your Green Card, including fees, documents, processing, and what to expect after filing.
By:
Haley Davidson
Reviewer:
Henry Lindpere
8 min read • last updated on Aug 21, 2025
Key takeaways
Form I-90 is used to renew or replace Green Cards for expired, lost, stolen, damaged, or incorrect cards.
Filing requires supporting documents, such as your current card, proof of name changes, or birth certificate if under 14.
Fees range from $415 online to $465 by mail; some applicants may qualify for fee waivers in certain situations.
After filing, expect a receipt notice, biometrics appointment, and eventual decision, including approval, RFE, or denial.
If you are a lawful permanent resident, your Permanent Resident Card (also known as a Green Card) is proof of your legal status in the U.S. But Green Cards don’t last forever, and when you need a new card, you’ll need to file an I-90 form.
Let’s break down everything you need to know about Form I-90, including what this form is, what it requires, who should file it, its filing costs, and what to expect during processing.
What is Form I-90?
I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card (Green Card), is the official U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) form for Green Card holders who need to replace or renew their permanent resident card. It plays an important role in keeping your proof of permanent residency valid, accurate, and up-to-date.
Who Needs to File Form I-90?
As a permanent resident, you’ll need to file Form I-90 whenever you need to replace or renew your Green Card. Here are some common reasons for filing and what you can expect when you file:
Your Green Card expires within the next six months or has expired.
Most Green Cards are valid for 10 years. If you’ve been granted conditional permanent resident status, your new Green Card will be valid for two years.
When you file your I-90 form to renew an expired or expiring Green Card, USCIS will extend your Green Card validity for an additional 36 months. They will issue a new card once they’ve successfully processed your application.
Your Green Card is lost, stolen, or damaged.
You’ll need to provide a form of government-issued ID, such as a passport or driver’s license, if you don’t have a copy of the Green Card. When USCIS receives and processes your application, it will provide a replacement Green Card.
Your legal name or other biographical information has changed.
You’ll need to file Form I-90 if any information on your Permanent Resident Card changes—for example, a name change after marriage or adoption. USCIS will issue you a new card with the updated information.
Your Green Card has an error.
If the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) makes an error on your Green Card, you can request a corrected replacement.
You never received your Green Card after approval.
If your application to become a permanent resident was approved but your Green Card hasn’t arrived on schedule, you may need to file Form I-90. You may also need to file a new Form I-90 if your previous I-90 application was approved but you never received your Green Card replacement.
You received your Green Card before your 14th birthday and have turned 14 years old.
Permanent residents must register, provide biometrics, and submit Form I-90 no more than 30 days after their 14th birthday. You must indicate on your Form I-90 whether your existing Green Card will expire before or after your 16th birthday.
You have an outdated version of the Green Card.
Some previous versions of the Alien Registration Card, like USCIS Form AR-3, Form AR-103, or Form I-151, are no longer valid proof of immigration status. If you have an outdated version, you’ll need to file Form I-90 to replace it with a current Green Card.
You plan to live in Mexico or Canada and commute to work in the U.S.
You’ll need to file Form I-90 if you’re a legal permanent resident and your commuter status changes. That means you’ll live in a contiguous country but commute to work at a location within the U.S.
You’ll also need to file I-90 if you’re currently in commuter status and move back to the U.S.
You were automatically converted to lawful permanent resident status.
You’ll also need to file Form I-90 if you have a temporary resident status that has been automatically converted to permanent resident status.
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How Much Does It Cost to File Form I-90 in 2025?
The filing fee for Form I-90 depends on how you decide to file.
The fee for filing online is $415, which includes the cost of biometrics. When filing online, USCIS’s system will automatically direct you to Pay.gov, a secure Department of the Treasury site, to pay your fees. You can pay the fee through a bank account withdrawal or with a credit, debit, or prepaid card.
The fee for filing by mail is $465. This fee also covers the cost of biometrics. You can pay the mail filing fee with a credit, debit, or prepaid card; a cashier’s check, certified check, personal or business check; or a money order. For card payments, complete and submit Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions, with your application. Make checks or money orders payable to “U.S. Department of Homeland Security.”
Fee Waivers for Form I-90
The filing fee for Form I-90 is waived in certain situations. This includes:
The applicant turned 14 years old and their card’s expiration date is after their 16th birthday
USCIS issued a previous card, but the applicant never received it because it was returned as undeliverable to USCIS
DHS issued the card with incorrect information
If you can’t afford the filing fee, you may be able to apply for a fee waiver by filing Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver. However, if you apply for a fee waiver, you’re not eligible for online filing. You must file your Form I-90 through the mail.
What Supporting Documents Do You Need to File Form I-90?
When you file Form I-90, you’ll need to submit clear copies of documents that prove your identity and support your application. That includes:
A copy of your current Green Card. Include a copy of both the front and back of your current Green Card. If your card was lost or stolen, provide copies of a different government-issued photo ID, like a passport or driver’s license.
Proof of legal name change. If you need a new card due to a name change, you’ll need to provide proof of that name change. Depending on the situation, that might include a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.
Proof of mistake. If you’re requesting a new card due to an error, you’ll need to submit evidence of the correct information along with the original, incorrect card.
Evidence of employment. Those receiving commuter status need to provide documents like pay stubs or a letter of employment.
Evidence of U.S. residence. Changing your commuter status may require you to prove that you have a deed to a home, a signed lease agreement, or utility bills in your name.
How to File Form I-90
Let’s jump into the application process for Form I-90.
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility
Confirm that you need to file Form I-90 for one of the reasons listed above.
Step 2: Gather Your Supporting Documents
Make copies of all the required documents to include with your application.
Step 3: Complete the Form
You have two options for completing Form I-90:
Fill out an online form. You can fill out your I-90 form online by creating a USCIS online account.
Fill out a paper copy. You can also download a paper copy of Form I-90 from the USCIS website. If you’re filling out a paper form, make sure to write clearly using black ink.
Step 4: Pay the Filing Fee
Pay your filing fees online or through the mail.
Step 5: Submit Your Application
How you submit your application will also depend on your filing method.
Online filing: Upload your documents and submit your completed application online through your USCIS account.
Filing by mail: You’ll need to mail your paper application along with the required supporting documents. For current mailing addresses, check the “Where to File” section of the USCIS Form I-90 page.
❓Want More Information? For more on how to file Form I-90, including detailed filing instructions and a complete list of required documents, check out the full I-90 instructions on the USCIS website.
Processing Times for Form I-90
USCIS processing times vary, especially for Form I-90. Between 2020 and 2025, the median time it took to process Green Card replacement applications each year ranged from just over one month to just over nine months.
For information on current processing times, visit the USCIS website.
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What Happens After You File Form I-90?
Here’s what to expect after you file Form I-90:
Receipt notice. USCIS will send a Form I-797, Notice of Action, to confirm it received your application.
Requests for more information. You may need to submit additional evidence to prove your claims in your I-90 application. This could require you to submit original documents, so be sure to maintain copies.
Biometrics appointment. If the USCIS determines that it’s necessary, you may also receive an appointment notice to provide biometrics—including fingerprints, a photo, and a signature—at a local USCIS office. Make sure to arrive on time with all required documents.
Decision. Once the USCIS officer has reviewed your application, it will issue a decision.
Once USCIS has made a decision, it will update your case status. You can check your case status at any time on the USCIS website by entering the receipt number on your Form I-797.
Depending on the decision, your case status may read:
Approved. If your application is approved, USCIS will mail your new Green Card.
Request for Evidence (RFE). If USCIS requests an RFE, it needs additional information or documents to make a decision on your form. Make sure to respond to the RFE with all the requested information and/or documents before the deadline.
Denied. If USCIS decides you don’t qualify for a Green Card renewal or replacement, it may deny your application.
Why Was My I-90 Denied—and What Happens Next?
Denials happen for all sorts of reasons, like incorrect or missing information on your form, missing or incomplete documents, missing a scheduled biometrics appointment, eligibility issues, or simply filing the wrong form.
If your I-90 application is denied, USCIS will issue a notice outlining the reasons for the denial. Depending on your situation, your next steps might include:
Fixing the issues outlined in the denial notice and reapplying
Consulting with an immigration attorney to determine the best way forward
Keep in mind that while a Form I-90 denial may cause issues with work or travel, it does not cancel your lawful permanent resident status.
File Your I-90 Form with Confidence
Filing an I-90 form is an important step to renew or replace your Green Card and keep your permanent resident status up to date. While the process can sometimes feel confusing, having the right information and support can make it easier.
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