USCIS National Customer Service Center, Nov 19, 2004

"GREEN CARD" (I-551) RENEWAL PROGRAM

General Application Instructions

If you have already submitted Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, to renew your 10-year expiring/expired "Green Card," please do NOT resubmit your application.

NOTE: You may be eligible to file Form I-90 online. See Introduction to Electronic Filing USCIS Forms for more information.

• If you need legal assistance with a Green Card or other Immigration Issue, please consult with an Immigration Lawyer near you to discuss the details of your case. The content of this article is provided for informational purposes only.

WHO NEEDS TO APPLY?

Lawful Permanent Residents who were issued an Alien Registration Receipt Card (Form I-551), commonly known as a "Green Card," with a ten-year expiration date on the front of the card and the card is either expired or will expire within the next 6 months.

WHEN TO APPLY FOR A RENEWAL CARD:

You may submit your Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, up to six (6) months prior to the expiration date on the I-551 card.
RENEWAL REQUIREMENTS (You must bring these items in-person):

Completed Form I-90 (Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card). To obtain an I-90 form, click here to download it from the web or request that it be mailed to you. Or you may call the toll-free forms request line at 1 (800) 870-3676.

$185.00 filing fee should be paid by check or money order payable to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Cash will not be accepted. See "Special Cases" for more information.

Two (2) color photographs (Requirements are specified on Form M-603)

Expiring/expired "Green Card" (the original Form I-551 valid for 10 years)

Photocopies of the front and back of your expiring/expired "Green Card"

Government-issued identification such as a state-issued driver's license, state-issued identification card, U.S. military-issued identification card; or country's passport.

• If you need legal assistance with a Green Card or other Immigration Issue, please consult with an Immigration Lawyer near you to discuss the details of your case. The content of this article is provided for informational purposes only.

SPECIAL CASES:

If you are a renewal applicant AND your name has changed legally from the name listed on your expiring or expired "Green Card", bring documentation of the name change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree or other court document.

If you are a renewal applicant AND you were issued your "Green Card" before your 14th birthday AND you are now over 14 years old, you must be fingerprinted. You will need to bring a check or money order for the $70 biometrics fee (total of $255 for both the I-90 renewal application and the biometrics service).
NOTE:

If you have lost your card, please go to your local district or sub office for processing of your I-90 application.

WHERE TO APPLY:

Take your completed Form I-90 and the other documents listed above to the USCIS Application Support Center (ASC) in your area which accepts I-90 renewal applications. You may call the National Customer Service Center at 1 (800) 375-5283 for a list of locations accepting I-90 renewal applications in your area. Click here for a listing of those ASCs.

When you visit the ASC, USCIS will review your renewal application. If all is in order, your current card will be returned to you along with authorization to use it as temporary evidence of your permanent resident status. USCIS will process your renewal application and, upon approval, mail you a new "Green Card" (now officially known as the Permanent Resident Card, Form I-551) valid for ten (10) years.
If you have immigration-related questions, you may call the USCIS National Customer Service Center (NCSC) at 1 (800) 375-5283.

• If you need legal assistance with a Green Card or other Immigration Issue, please consult with an Immigration Lawyer near you to discuss the details of your case. The content of this article is provided for informational purposes only.