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

Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, is what you file with USCIS to renew an expiring green card or replace one that was lost, stolen, or damaged. As of 2026 the filing fee is $415 if you submit it online or $465 by mail, and current processing times run roughly 8 to 12 months, so most permanent residents file about six months before their card expires. This guide walks through who should use I-90, how it differs from I-751, and how to actually fill out every field in the PDF.

When You Need to File Form I-90

USCIS lists several reasons to file I-90, and the reason you pick determines what evidence you attach. The most common ones are:

• Your 10-year green card is expiring within six months or has already expired.
• Your card was lost, stolen, or destroyed.
• Your card is damaged, mutilated, or contains incorrect information because of a USCIS error (this category is filed at no cost).
• You legally changed your name, date of birth, or other biographic information since the card was issued.
• You were issued a card but never received it in the mail.
• You aged out of a photo-less card and need a new one showing your photo (typically at age 14).

Two situations are automatically fee exempt: a card that was issued with incorrect information due to USCIS error, and a card that was approved but never delivered. Everyone else pays the standard fee unless they qualify for a fee waiver using Form I-912, which must be filed on paper because USCIS does not accept fee waiver requests through the online system.

I-90 vs I-751: Replacing a Card vs Removing Conditions

This is the mix-up that trips up the most applicants. Form I-90 is only for permanent residents who already hold a standard 10-year green card. If you have a 2-year conditional green card, usually because you got permanent residence through a marriage that was less than two years old at the time, you cannot use I-90 to extend it. You need Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence, filed within the 90-day window before your conditional card expires.

Filing I-90 instead of I-751 by mistake is a common and costly error. USCIS will typically reject an I-90 filed by a conditional resident, and the delay can push you past your 90-day filing window for I-751, putting your status at risk. Check the expiration date and card type printed on your existing card before you start: if it lists a 2-year validity period tied to conditional residence, you almost certainly need I-751, not I-90.

Documents to Gather First

Before opening the form, collect:

• Your current or most recently expired green card (front and back, even if it's expired or damaged).
• A government-issued photo ID.
• Legal documentation for any name or biographic change, such as a marriage certificate or court order.
• A police report if your card was stolen (not required to file, but useful to have on hand).
• Payment method for the $415 (online) or $465 (mail) fee, unless your reason is fee exempt.

You do not need to submit new passport photos with a standard I-90 filing in most cases; USCIS will schedule you for a biometrics appointment where they capture your photo, fingerprints, and signature.

Step by Step: Filling Out the PDF

Download the current Form I-90 from USCIS, then upload it to PDF Editify's fill tool, which detects the form's fillable fields automatically so you can type directly into the PDF in your browser instead of printing it blank.

1. Part 1: Reason for application. Check the single box that matches your situation (expiring card, lost card, biographic change, and so on). Only select one.
2. Part 2: Basis for eligibility. Confirm you're a lawful permanent resident (or, in rarer cases, a commuter or conditional resident who was told to file I-90 by USCIS directly). If you're not sure this section applies to you, revisit the I-90 vs I-751 section above before continuing.
3. Part 3: Biographic information. Enter your full legal name exactly as it should appear on the new card, your other names used, date and country of birth, gender, and current mailing and physical address.
4. Part 4: Accommodations for a disability. Leave this blank unless you're requesting an accommodation for your biometrics appointment.
5. Part 5: Applicant's statement, contact information, and signature. Confirm you can read and understand English (or note who translated the form for you), then add your phone number and email.
6. Part 6: Interpreter's information. Complete only if someone translated the form for you.
7. Part 7: Preparer's information. Complete only if an attorney or accredited representative filled out the form on your behalf.

Once every field is filled, review the PDF on screen for typos, especially your name and date of birth since these must match your card exactly, then use PDF Editify's signature tool to sign and date Part 5 before saving the final file. If you're filing by mail, you'll print and physically sign; if you're filing online, you'll typically type your name as an electronic signature inside the myUSCIS portal itself. Keep a signed copy of the completed form for your own records either way, and check the USCIS forms template library if you also need related forms like AR-11 for a separate address update.

Filing Online vs by Mail

Most I-90 filers today can submit online through a myUSCIS account, which is $50 cheaper than the paper option and lets you upload your documents and pay the fee digitally. You must file on paper instead if any of the following apply: you're requesting a fee waiver, you were told by USCIS to file a paper I-90 for a specific reason, or your filing scenario isn't currently supported by the online system.

Whichever way you file, keep your Form I-797C receipt notice together with your expired or expiring card. Since September 2024, USCIS policy automatically extends the validity of an expired 10-year green card by 36 months from the card's printed expiration date once you have a pending I-90, as long as your receipt notice lists that automatic extension. That combination, expired card plus receipt notice, serves as temporary proof of your status and work authorization while your application is pending, so there's no separate sticker or stamp to pick up in most cases. If both your card and the extension period run out before your case is decided, you can request an ADIT stamp at a local USCIS field office as proof of status for travel or employment.

Given how long green card renewals are running in 2026, it's worth filing as soon as you're within the 6-month window rather than waiting for a firm deadline. If you're also dealing with a lease, W-9, or other paperwork tied to your new address or status while your case is pending, a one-time plan can be more practical than a monthly subscription for a task you'll only need once or twice a year. PDF Editify's One Week Plan costs $3 and expires on its own with nothing to cancel, compared with recurring subscriptions that keep billing every month whether you use them or not.

If your green card shows a 2-year validity period tied to a marriage-based case, stop and confirm you need Form I-751 instead of I-90 before you file anything.

What Happens After You File

After USCIS receives your I-90, you'll get a receipt notice (Form I-797C) within a few weeks, followed by a biometrics appointment notice at your local Application Support Center. Bring your ID and any notice to that appointment; USCIS uses it to capture your photo, signature, and fingerprints for the new card. From there, your case moves into standard processing, and you can track status updates using the receipt number on the USCIS case status website. If you move before a decision is made, file a change of address with USCIS separately so your new card and any correspondence reach the right place.