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USCIS · Immigration form

Form I-90: How to Renew or Replace Your Green Card

Lawful permanent residents (green card holders) whose card is expiring or has expired, was lost, stolen, or damaged, has incorrect information, or was never received.

FORM
I-90
AGENCY
USCIS
FEE
$415 to file online, or $465 by mail. There is no longer a separate $85 biometrics fee — it is included. Fee waivers (Form I-912) are available but must be filed by mail.
PROCESSING TIME
Varies by reason and workload — often several months. Check the current estimate on the USCIS processing-times page for your filing. Your receipt notice (Form I-797C) automatically extends your current green card's validity while you wait (recently 36 months), so you keep proof of status.
WHERE TO FILE
Online through a free myUSCIS account (fastest and $50 cheaper), or by mail to the USCIS lockbox address listed in the form instructions. If you are requesting a fee waiver, you must file by mail.
OFFICIAL SOURCE

Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, is how green card holders renew an expiring card or replace one that was lost, stolen, damaged, or printed with the wrong information. Filing it does not change your immigration status — you are a lawful permanent resident whether or not you hold a valid card. The card is simply your evidence of that status, and the law requires you to carry a current one.

Most people file I-90 for one of two reasons: their 10-year card is within six months of expiring, or the card was lost or damaged. The form is short compared to other USCIS applications, and you can complete the whole thing online. The hard part is usually small details — your exact name as printed, your A-Number, and the precise reason you are replacing the card — because a mismatch there is what triggers a Request for Evidence and adds months to your wait.

This guide walks through every part of the form in plain language, points out the mistakes that most often cause delays, and answers the questions people ask before they file. When you are ready, Fastform reads your I-90 PDF and lets you fill it by speaking your answers, then checks it before you download.

How to fill out Form I-90 — field by field

Part 1 — Your legal name
Enter your name exactly as it appears on your current green card, even if it contains a typo or an old spelling. If your legal name is now different (for example, after marriage), you will explain that in Part 2 as the reason for replacement — but Part 1 still reflects who you are today. Use the 'Other Names Used' fields for maiden names, prior married names, and nicknames you have filed under before.
Part 1 — A-Number (Alien Registration Number)
Your A-Number is the 7-, 8-, or 9-digit number on the front of your green card, usually printed after 'USCIS#' or 'A#'. Write it without the letter 'A'. This is the single most important field on the form — USCIS uses it to find your file, so double-check every digit against your card.
Part 1 — USCIS Online Account Number
If you have ever filed a form online or created a myUSCIS account, you have a 12-digit Online Account Number (this is not the same as your A-Number). Leave it blank if you have never filed online; it is optional and missing it will not delay you.
Part 1 — Mailing address
Give the address where you can reliably receive mail for the next several months — this is where your receipt notice and new card will be sent. If you use an 'in care of' name (someone else's address), include it. Update USCIS separately if you move, because a card returned as undeliverable is a common cause of long delays.
Part 2 — Application type: your status
First state how you became a permanent resident — most people check 'My status is Lawful Permanent Resident.' Commuters and people with conditional resident status have separate boxes; if you have a conditional (2-year) card based on marriage or investment, you usually need Form I-751 or I-829 instead of I-90, so read this section carefully.
Part 2 — Reason you are applying
Pick the one reason that matches your situation: card is expiring or has expired; card was lost, stolen, or destroyed; you never received a card USCIS produced; the card has incorrect data; your name or other information has legally changed; or your existing card has no expiration date (older versions). The reason you choose decides whether you owe a fee — for example, replacing a card that USCIS printed with an error because of their mistake is free.
Part 3 — Processing information
Enter your city and country of birth, your mother's and father's first names, and the details of when you became a permanent resident: your class of admission (the category code on your card, like 'IR1' or 'F21'), and the date and place you were admitted or adjusted. If you do not remember the class of admission, it is printed on the front of your current card.
Part 3 — Location and ethnicity/race fields
USCIS asks for your height, weight, eye color, hair color, and ethnicity/race for the biometrics they collect. Answer honestly and completely; these are used to produce the new card and match you at your biometrics appointment.
Part 4 — Accommodations for disabilities
If you need a disability accommodation at your biometrics appointment (a sign-language interpreter, a wheelchair-accessible site, extra time, etc.), check the box and describe what you need. Leaving it blank simply means you are not requesting an accommodation.
Part 5 — Your signature and contact information
Provide your daytime phone, mobile, and email, then sign and date. An unsigned form is rejected outright — this is the number-one reason paper I-90s come back. Filing online removes this risk because the system will not let you submit without a signature.
Parts 6–8 — Interpreter, preparer, and additional information
Complete Part 6 only if an interpreter helped you, and Part 7 only if someone other than you prepared the form. Use Part 8 (additional information) to explain anything that did not fit — for example, the full story behind a name change or a previously denied application. It is better to over-explain here than to leave USCIS guessing.

Common mistakes on Form I-90

  • Mistyping the A-Number. One wrong digit sends your application to the wrong file and triggers a Request for Evidence. Copy it straight from your card.
  • Choosing the wrong reason in Part 2. The reason controls your fee and what evidence you must attach — for example, a name change requires a marriage certificate or court order, while a DHS printing error is free.
  • Forgetting to sign (paper filers). An unsigned I-90 is rejected and returned, costing weeks. Online filing prevents this.
  • Using an address you are about to leave. Your new card is mailed to the address on the form; a move mid-process is a leading cause of lost cards.
  • Filing I-90 when you actually need a different form. Conditional residents removing conditions need I-751 or I-829, not I-90. Read Part 2 before you start.
  • Paying when you didn't have to. If USCIS made the error on your card, replacement is free — don't submit a fee you can't get back.
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Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to renew a green card in 2026?
Filing Form I-90 costs $415 online or $465 by mail. There is no longer a separate biometrics fee. If you cannot afford the fee, you can request a fee waiver on Form I-912, but you must then file by mail rather than online.
Does an expired green card mean I lost my status?
No. You remain a lawful permanent resident even if your card has expired. The card is proof of status, not the status itself. You still need to replace it, because the law requires you to carry valid evidence of permanent residence and an expired card can complicate travel and employment.
How long does Form I-90 take?
Processing varies by your local field office and the reason for filing, and can run several months. Check the USCIS processing-times page for a current estimate. When USCIS receives your I-90, it mails a receipt notice that automatically extends your current card's validity while you wait, so you keep documented status.
Should I file online or by mail?
Online filing through myUSCIS is faster, costs $50 less, and won't let you submit an unsigned or incomplete form. File by mail only if you are requesting a fee waiver or otherwise cannot file online.
Do I need a lawyer to file I-90?
Most straightforward renewals and replacements do not require a lawyer. If your case involves a denied prior application, a criminal record, or a complicated name history, consider speaking with an immigration attorney. This guide is general information, not legal advice.
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Last reviewed 2026-06-28. This is general information, not legal advice — fees, addresses, and requirements change, so verify current details on uscis.gov.