If you lose your green card, you should file Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) as soon as possible. You can submit the form online or by mail. Be sure to keep a copy of the receipt notice (Form I-797), which you can use as proof of your permanent resident status while you wait for your replacement card.

Losing your green card doesn’t affect your permanent resident status, but it does make it harder to prove your legal status and travel internationally. Immediately file Form I-90 with USCIS to request a replacement. If you plan to travel abroad or need proof of status urgently (e.g., for work), you may also request an I-551 stamp in your passport from a USCIS field office.

If your green card is lost or stolen, report it to the authorities if theft is suspected and apply for a replacement by submitting Form I-90. If you are outside the U.S. when your green card is lost, contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate to obtain a boarding foil, which allows you to return to the U.S. You must then file Form I-90 after your return.