What documents do I need to carry with me at all times as a green card holder? Do I need to carry my passport, I-94, or an AR-11 form?
As a green card holder, federal law requires you to carry your valid Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) with you at all times. You do not need to carry an I-94 or an AR-11 form for daily life inside the United States.
You already have the only document you need. As long as you keep your unexpired Green Card in your wallet, you are fully complying with the law.
Under federal law, every immigrant 18 years of age and older must carry their certificate of alien registration at all times. For a Lawful Permanent Resident, this certificate is your Form I-551, commonly known as the Green Card.
Failing to carry your Green Card is a federal misdemeanor. The official penalty is a fine of up to $100, imprisonment for up to 30 days, or both.
In daily life, immigration attorneys note that this specific law is rarely prosecuted on its own. However, the law remains on the books and authorities can enforce it at any time. Keeping your card on you is the safest way to avoid trouble during any encounter with law enforcement or immigration officials.
You asked about carrying your passport, an I-94, or an AR-11. As a green card holder, federal law requires you to carry your valid Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) with you at all times. You do not need to carry an I-94 or an AR-11 on your person:
Form I-94: This is an arrival and departure record for temporary visitors. As a returning resident alien, you are explicitly exempt from needing a Form I-94.
Form AR-11: This is the Alien's Change of Address Card. It is a form you must submit to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) within 10 days of moving to a new home. It is not an identification document that you carry with you.
