Form I-90 and USCIS Rules for Replacing Green Cards Before Naturalization

Maintaining a valid green card is a requirement for all permanent residents in the United States, a status that must be upheld even when an individual has submitted or plans to submit a naturalization application using Form N-400. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) mandates this ongoing obligation.

The Form I-90 serves as the official document for permanent residents seeking to replace or renew their green card. This applies to situations where the card has expired or will expire within the next six months. It is also recommended for older card models lacking an expiration date. Furthermore, the I-90 is necessary if the green card has been lost, stolen, destroyed, or is physically damaged, or if there are errors in personal information, a legal name change, or if the card was never received.

USCIS also specifies that residents who obtained their green card before turning 14 must replace it upon reaching that age. Before initiating the I-90 process, USCIS advises using their citizenship eligibility tool to confirm readiness for naturalization. While filing the N-400 does not eliminate the need to prove permanent resident status, the receipt notice for the N-400 automatically extends the validity of an expired green card by 24 months, often making a separate I-90 filing unnecessary.

Conditional permanent residents follow a different procedure. Those with a two-year conditional green card, typically obtained through marriage or investment, must file Form I-751 or Form I-829, respectively, to remove the conditions. These applications generally need to be submitted within 90 days before the second anniversary of receiving conditional residency. Failure to complete this process within the stipulated timeframe can jeopardize their permanent resident status.