Form I-90

Your green card carries an expiration date, and when it gets close, Form I-90 is how you get a new one. Most green card holders file it to renew a 10-year card, but it also covers cards that are lost, stolen, damaged, or printed with the wrong information. 

In 2026, timing matters more than it used to: USCIS is working through a backlog of more than 11 million pending cases, and green card renewals now take several months longer than they did a year ago. The good news is that your filing receipt extends your card’s validity for 36 months while you wait. 

This guide walks you through who files, what it costs, how to submit it, and what happens after.

What is Form I-90?

Form I-90 is the application permanent residents use to renew or replace their Permanent Resident Card, better known as the green card.

Officially titled the Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, it does one job: it tells USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) to issue you a new card. If you search “form i-90 renew green card,” this is the form those results point to.

Filing the i-90 form does not change your immigration status or affect your path to citizenship; it simply replaces the physical card that proves you are a lawful permanent resident.

Who needs to file Form I-90

You need to file Form I-90 if you hold a 10-year green card and one of these situations applies. The form covers both renewals and replacements:

• Your card is expiring or has expired: Standard 10-year cards must be renewed. You can file up to six months before it expires.
• Your card was lost, stolen, or damaged: File as soon as you realize the card is gone or unusable.
• Your card has incorrect information: If it was issued with a wrong name, date of birth, or other error, you can request a corrected one.
• You never received a card that was mailed to you: A card that was issued but never reached you also requires a replacement.
• Your name has legally changed: A marriage, divorce, or court order that changed your name is a valid reason to update the card.

Two groups should not file Form I-90. Conditional permanent residents with a two-year card cannot use it to remove conditions; if you got your card through marriage, you file Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence, and if you got it through investment, you file Form I-829.

And if you are close to qualifying for citizenship, you may be able to file Form N-400 for naturalization instead of renewing.

Form I-90 filing fee in 2026

Your fee depends on how you submit the form. The i-90 filing fee in 2026 is $415 if you file online and $465 by mail, with no separate biometrics fee. USCIS folded that cost in back in April 2024, when the combined total used to run $540.

Some applicants pay nothing. You can request an i-90 fee waiver using Form I-912 if you cannot afford the cost, but you must file on paper to do so, because the agency does not accept these requests online. Two situations are fee-exempt automatically: a card issued with incorrect information because of a USCIS error, and a card that was issued but you never received.

These fees are not refundable, so confirm the current amount on the USCIS fee schedule before you pay.

For paper filings, USCIS no longer accepts personal checks or money orders unless you qualify for an exemption; you pay by card using Form G-1450 or by bank transfer using Form G-1650. Online filers pay through Pay.gov.

Documents you’ll need

Before you start, gather the supporting documents that match your reason for filing. Attach copies, not originals:

• For a renewal: a copy of your existing or expired green card, front and back.
• For a lost or stolen card: a copy of any government-issued ID and, if you have it, the old card.
• For a name change: legal proof such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.
• For a USCIS error: a copy of the incorrect card showing the mistake.

Your application also asks for your class of admission and the date you became a permanent resident, both printed on your current card. If your card is lost, you can find these on your original approval notice or in your online account.

How to complete Form I-90

The i-90 instructions split the form into eight parts, but you will likely complete only a handful:

• Part 1 asks for your personal information: name, mailing address, date of birth, and A-Number (your alien registration number).
• Part 2 asks why you are applying: you select renewal, replacement, or correction, then the specific reason.
• Part 3 covers processing information, including your date of admission, class of admission, and the port of entry where you became a permanent resident. Whether you gained residence through adjustment of status or an immigrant visa, these details print on your current card.
• Parts 4 through 8 handle accommodations, your signature, and any interpreter or preparer sections. If you completed the form yourself, you sign Part 5 and leave the rest blank.

An unsigned form is the single most common reason an application gets rejected, so check your signature before you submit.

Online vs. paper filing: which to choose

You have two ways to submit Form I-90, and most people qualify for the faster one. The i-90 online filing option is available to nearly all renewal and replacement applicants through a free myUSCIS account, and it costs $50 less than paper, with real-time status updates and a quicker receipt.

You must file by mail if you are requesting a fee waiver or fall into a small number of other restricted situations. When you file on paper, USCIS scans your application into its system and creates a USCIS online account for you, so you can still track the case.

How long Form I-90 takes in 2026

Plan ahead, because your renewal will take months, not weeks. The i-90 processing time in 2026 generally runs about 8 to 14 months, and USCIS recently reported completing 80% of cases in roughly 10.5 months. That is well above the four-to-six-month range many applicants saw before 2025, a shift the agency attributes to a backlog of more than 11 million pending cases.

Your actual timeline depends on which service center handles your case and whether anything triggers extra review. Renewals usually move faster than replacements, and a request for evidence can add several months. Because of the wait, USCIS recommends filing about six months before your card expires. You can check current estimates on the USCIS processing times tool.

Biometrics appointment: what to expect

After your application is accepted, USCIS decides whether you need a biometrics appointment. The i-90 biometrics step collects your fingerprints, photograph, and biographic information for background checks. In many renewal cases, the agency reuses the biometrics already on file and skips the appointment entirely.

If an appointment is required, you will receive a notice (Form I-797C) about four to eight weeks after you file, with a specific date, time, and Application Support Center location.

Bring the appointment notice, your current or expired green card, and a photo ID such as a passport or driver’s license. If you cannot attend, reschedule before the date rather than skipping it, because a missed appointment delays your case.

After you file: receipt notice, status, and your card

Within a few weeks of filing, you receive Form I-797C, a receipt notice confirming your application was received and assigning a 10-digit receipt number. Keep this notice.

For a green card renewal, it does double duty: presented with your expired card, it automatically extends your card’s validity for 36 months from the printed expiration date. That preserves your work authorization and your ability to travel while you wait.

You can track your i-90 status online about 72 hours after filing by entering your receipt number on the USCIS case status page, or anytime through your myUSCIS account. The status moves through stages such as biometrics scheduled, case approved, and card was mailed.

If you lost your card and have nothing to present, you can request a temporary I-551 (ADIT) stamp in your passport at a USCIS field office. Once your case is approved, the new card usually arrives within one to three weeks.

Reporting a name change or address change

You can handle a legal name change directly on Form I-90 by selecting that reason and attaching proof, such as a marriage certificate or other legal document; the new card will show your updated name.

Address changes work differently: if you move while your application is pending, update your address through your myUSCIS account or by filing Form AR-11, Alien’s Change of Address Card, so you do not miss the notice, your biometrics appointment, or the new card.

If USCIS asks for more evidence or denies your Form I-90

Most Form I-90 applications are approved, but problems can still affect your case. USCIS may issue a request for evidence (RFE) if something is missing, incomplete, or inconsistent, or it may deny the application. Common triggers include an unsigned form, the wrong fee, or missing supporting documents.

If you receive an RFE, respond by the deadline printed on the notice, send exactly what is requested, and keep a copy. Services like Lighthouse include response preparation for these requests at no additional charge, which can matter when your case needs a careful reply under deadline.

You cannot appeal an I-90 denial, but you can file a motion to reopen with new evidence or a motion to reconsider if you believe USCIS misapplied the law. Often, refiling a clean application is the simpler path.

When to consult an immigration attorney

Most green card renewals are routine, and you can file Form I-90 on your own. But some situations carry real risk. Talk to an immigration attorney if you have a criminal record, a prior order of removal, time abroad that could look like abandonment of residence, or any history that might prompt USCIS to question your status rather than simply reissue your card.

For these higher-stakes cases, Lighthouse pairs experienced case managers with attorney review on every case, so a complicated renewal gets a second set of expert eyes before it reaches the agency. An attorney can also advise whether applying for citizenship makes more sense than another renewal.

The bottom line

Renewing or replacing your green card comes down to filing one form correctly and then waiting. File about six months before your card expires, choose online filing if you can, and hold onto that receipt, which keeps your status valid for up to 36 months while your case is processed. Get the details right the first time, and most renewals move through without a hitch.

A rejected renewal can cost you a year. Don't risk it.

Most green card renewals are routine, but in 2026 the margin for error is thin. With USCIS working through a backlog of more than 11 million cases, a form that gets bounced for a missing signature, the wrong fee, or an incomplete section can set you back months you cannot get back.

Lighthouse takes that risk off the table. We prepare and review your I-90 with attorney review on every case, so the filing is clean before it ever reaches USCIS. If your case draws a request for evidence, we handle the response at no additional charge, and you can start with a free eligibility evaluation to confirm I-90 is even the right form for your situation.

Get started with Lighthouse and file your renewal with confidence.

Frequently asked questions on Form I-90

What is the I-90 form for?

Form I-90 is used to renew or replace a green card. Permanent residents file it when their card is expiring, lost, stolen, damaged, contains an error, or needs a name update. It does not change your status; it only replaces the physical card.

How much is the filing fee for I-90?

In 2026, the cost is $415 online and $465 by mail, with biometrics included. You may qualify for a $0 fee through a fee waiver, or if the replacement is needed because of a USCIS error or a card you never received.

How do I get my I-90 online?

Create a free myUSCIS account at uscis.gov, select Form I-90, complete each section, upload your documents, and pay the $415 fee through Pay.gov. You can then track your case in the same account.

How long does Form I-90 take to process?

Most cases take about 8 to 14 months in 2026, with 80% of applications completed in roughly 10.5 months. Your receipt notice extends your green card for 36 months, so you stay in valid status while you wait.

Where does the I-90 begin and end?

For the immigration form, the process begins when you submit your application and ends when your new green card is delivered, usually 8 to 14 months later. (Interstate 90, the highway, is unrelated to USCIS Form I-90.)