Green Card Renewal (I-90)
I-90 Renewal, Replacement & Name Change for Permanent Residents in CT & NY
Form I-90 (Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card) allows permanent residents to renew expiring 10-year cards, replace lost or damaged cards, and update names. The firm advises on I-90 vs. I-751 eligibility, files complete applications, and handles complications at USCIS lockbox and CT and NY field offices.
- New York Licensed
- 14+ Years Experience
- 5 Languages
- 5.0 / 134 Reviews
Green card renewal — quick answer
Form I-90 (Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card) is used to renew expiring 10-year permanent resident cards, replace lost/stolen/damaged cards, and update names after a legal name change. USCIS recommends filing 6 months before expiration. As of 2024, I-90 filers receive an automatic 24-month extension on the I-797 receipt notice. IMPORTANT: If you have a 2-year conditional resident card, do NOT file I-90 — you must file Form I-751 (Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence) within the 90-day window before expiration. I-90 fees: $465 (paper) / $415 (online) — confirm at uscis.gov/i-90.
Last updated:
Our Services
Green Card Renewal (I-90) Services We Provide
- I-90 preparation and filing for expiring or expired 10-year permanent resident cards
- I-90 for lost, stolen, or damaged green cards
- Name change I-90 with supporting court order or marriage certificate
- ADIT stamp coordination as temporary evidence of LPR status
- I-90 vs. I-751 analysis for conditional residents (2-year card holders)
- Automatic 24-month extension receipt navigation for employment I-9 compliance
- Referral to I-751 removal of conditions for conditional permanent residents
Know Your Card
10-year vs. 2-year card — which form applies?
Filing the wrong form is one of the most common green card renewal mistakes. Look at the expiration date on your card.
10-Year Card (LPR)
File Form I-90
Your permanent resident card (Form I-551) shows a 10-year expiration date. File I-90 to renew, replace, or update name. File approximately 6 months before expiration. USCIS issues a 24-month automatic extension receipt upon filing.
2-Year Card (Conditional)
File Form I-751 — NOT I-90
Your card shows a 2-year expiration — you are a conditional permanent resident (typically a spouse of a U.S. citizen married less than 2 years). You must file Form I-751 (Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence) within the 90-day window before expiration. Filing I-90 instead will not remove conditions and may jeopardize your status.
Our Process
How We Handle Your Green Card Renewal (I-90) Case
- 1
Card Type & Form Selection
We confirm whether your card is a 10-year permanent resident card (I-90) or a 2-year conditional card (I-751). Filing the wrong form is a common and costly mistake. We review your I-551 card, visa history, and any prior immigration orders.
- 2
I-90 Preparation & Filing
We prepare Form I-90 with accurate reason codes, supporting documents (court order for name change, police report for stolen card, etc.), and the correct USCIS lockbox submission address. Online filing is available for most I-90 scenarios.
- 3
Receipt & Extension Notice
After USCIS accepts the I-90, you receive a Form I-797 receipt notice that USCIS policy currently extends your card validity by 24 months. We explain how to use this receipt for employment (I-9), travel, and state DMV purposes.
- 4
Biometrics & Card Production
USCIS schedules biometrics at an Application Support Center (ASC). We monitor the case, respond to any RFEs, and coordinate receipt of the new card. Check current processing times at egov.uscis.gov/processing-times.
Documents
What you'll need to file Form I-90
A complete and accurate filing package avoids USCIS rejections and reduces the risk of a Request for Evidence (RFE). We review your documents before submission.
- • Your current (or expired/damaged) permanent resident card (Form I-551) — front and back copy
- • Two passport-style photos meeting USCIS requirements
- • Passport or travel document showing most recent entry to the U.S.
- • Court order for legal name change (if filing for name change) or marriage certificate
- • Police report or statement for lost or stolen card (if applicable)
- • Copy of prior USCIS notices, approval notices, or I-94 arrival/departure record
- • I-797 receipt notices from any prior USCIS filings
- • Documentation of any changes in status since receiving the card (if applicable)
- • Evidence of current U.S. address (utility bill, bank statement) — for delivery address accuracy
- • Form I-912 (fee waiver) documentation if income is at or below 150% of federal poverty guidelines
Common pitfalls
Where I-90 filings go wrong
Filing I-90 instead of I-751 for a 2-year card
Conditional permanent residents with 2-year cards must file I-751 — not I-90. Filing I-90 for a conditional card does not remove conditions on residence and can trigger a status problem. Always check whether your card is 10-year or 2-year before selecting a form.
Waiting until the card expires to file
USCIS recommends filing I-90 approximately 6 months before expiration. An expired card creates complications for employment (I-9 reverification), travel, DMV renewals, and other identification purposes — even with the automatic 24-month extension, early filing avoids these headaches.
Traveling abroad without understanding the extension receipt
The I-797 automatic extension receipt combined with the expired card serves as temporary status evidence domestically, but international travel during a pending I-90 should be discussed with counsel. Some ports of entry or airlines may require clarification.
Name mismatch not resolved before filing
If your legal name has changed (marriage, court order) and your green card still shows your old name, filing I-90 for a simple renewal without updating the name creates ongoing ID discrepancies. We ensure the I-90 is filed for the correct reason with the appropriate supporting documents.
Costs & fees
Filing fees for I-90
USCIS filing fees change — confirm current fees at uscis.gov/i-90 before filing. I-751 is a separate process with a separate fee for conditional residents.
Form I-90 (Paper)
$465
Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card — paper filing; confirm the current fee at uscis.gov/i-90
Form I-90 (Online)
$415
Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card — online filing at uscis.gov; confirm the current fee at uscis.gov/i-90
Form I-751 (Separate)
$750
Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence — for 2-year conditional cards ONLY — separate from I-90; confirm at uscis.gov/i-751
By the numbers
Over 1 million individuals hold 10-year permanent resident cards that will expire within any given 2-year window — timely I-90 filing prevents disruptions to employment eligibility and travel.
Source: USCIS population estimates. Check current I-90 processing times at egov.uscis.gov/processing-times — times at the USCIS card production facility vary. USCIS's automatic 24-month extension policy (reflected on the I-797 receipt) was introduced in 2022 and updated in 2024 to reduce lapses in evidence of status.
“Every alien admitted to the United States as a lawful permanent resident ... shall be issued a Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card, which shall reflect the alien's status and the period of such status. Such card ... shall be renewable upon expiration ...”
— 8 C.F.R. § 264.1(a) (governing issuance and renewal of Form I-551 Permanent Resident Card)
FAQ
Green Card Renewal FAQ
When should I file Form I-90 to renew my green card?
USCIS recommends filing Form I-90 approximately 6 months before your 10-year permanent resident card expires. Filing too late can leave you without a valid card for employment verification (I-9), travel, and other purposes. As of 2024 USCIS policy, I-90 filers receive an automatic 24-month extension of their permanent resident card noted on the I-90 receipt notice, which can be presented with the expired card as temporary evidence of status.
I have a 2-year conditional green card — can I use I-90 to renew it?
No. Conditional permanent residents (2-year cards, issued to spouses of U.S. citizens married less than 2 years) must file Form I-751 (Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence) — NOT Form I-90 — within the 90-day window before the card expires. Filing I-90 instead of I-751 is a serious mistake that can jeopardize status. See our Removal of Conditions page for details.
What reasons can I file I-90 for?
Form I-90 covers: (1) expiring or expired 10-year permanent resident cards; (2) lost, stolen, or damaged cards; (3) name change based on a legal court order or marriage; (4) card never received; (5) card with incorrect information through USCIS error; and (6) first-time renewal as a permanent resident who received a 10-year card. It does not cover removal of conditions from a 2-year card (that is Form I-751).
What is the automatic extension for I-90 filers?
As of 2024, USCIS automatically extends the validity of a permanent resident card for 24 months from the card's expiration date when an I-90 is properly filed. USCIS issues a receipt notice (Form I-797) that, combined with the expired card, serves as temporary evidence of continued LPR status for employment and travel purposes. Check current USCIS policy at uscis.gov/i-90 as this policy may be updated.
Can I travel internationally while my I-90 is pending?
Travel during a pending I-90 can be complicated. A properly filed I-90 with the USCIS 24-month automatic extension receipt should allow re-entry as a returning LPR, but some carriers and ports of entry may require clarification. We recommend carrying the original expired card and the I-797 receipt together. For extended absences or complex situations, consult counsel before traveling.
Do I need a lawyer to file I-90?
Form I-90 is a relatively straightforward renewal form, but attorney assistance is advisable if: you have a name change that needs to be documented properly; there are discrepancies in your card or USCIS records; you have an ADIT stamp in your passport and need guidance on evidence of status; you are unsure whether you should file I-90 or I-751; or you have prior immigration violations that could surface during adjudication.
Frequently Asked Questions
Green Card Renewal (I-90) FAQ
Related Topics
Related Immigration Topics
- Removal of Conditions (I-751) — For 2-year conditional resident cards — must file I-751, not I-90
- Adjustment of Status — How most permanent resident cards are first obtained
- Citizenship & Naturalization — Next step after holding LPR status for 3 or 5 years
- N-400 Naturalization — Renewing your green card may not be necessary if you are eligible for citizenship
- Schedule a Consultation — I-90 vs. I-751 analysis
- Complete U.S. Immigration Guide — Covers the I-90 green card renewal form and related pathways
Talk to an immigration attorney
Get clear answers about your immigration case
Schedule a confidential consultation with M. Riaz Musani. Offices in West Hartford, CT and Latham, NY. Multilingual representation in five languages.