u/jsoto225r/USCIS1 oct 2026
Yes—if you are 18 or older, you must carry your green card or issued registration proof; if you lose the card, replace it through the route that fits where you are.
“Do I need to carry my green card with me at all times, and what happens if I lose it?”
Resumen
Losing the card does not, by itself, take away your permanent residence. There is a replacement process, and USCIS can consider giving you temporary proof while you wait.
What you do about a lost card depends chiefly on whether you are in the United States, abroad, or nearing the end of a two-year conditional card.
For an ordinary green card, file Form I-90 for a lost, stolen, or destroyed card. The October 7, 2026 fee schedule lists $415 online or $465 on paper; if you need proof while waiting, USCIS may issue an after filing ([8 CFR 264.5(b)(1)](https://www.ecfr.gov/on/2026-09-22/title-8/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-264/section-264.5); [Form G-1055](https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/g-1055.pdf); [USCIS replacement guidance](https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/after-we-grant-your-green-card/replace-your-green-card)).
Apply in person at a U.S. embassy or consulate for Form I-131A so a commercial carrier can take you toward the United States. Pay its $575 fee online before appearing; this boarding document does **not** replace your green card, so file Form I-90 for the replacement ([USCIS Form I-131A page](https://www.uscis.gov/i-131a); [Form I-131A instructions](https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/i-131ainstr.pdf); [Form G-1055](https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/g-1055.pdf)).
If your conditional card is expired or within 90 days of expiration, the lost-card I-90 route is **ruled out**: use Form I-751 if your residence is marriage-based or Form I-829 if it is investment-based. File during the applicable 90-day pre-expiration window; losing the card does not pause it ([Form I-90 instructions](https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/i-90instr.pdf); [USCIS conditional-residence guidance](https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/after-we-grant-your-green-card/conditional-permanent-residence)).
If you have a two-year card, its conditions deadline matters even if the card itself is missing.
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Watch out for
Próximos pasos
Use the steps that match your location and card type to replace the document and obtain proof while you wait.
Start here
Identify your card type and where you are
If you have a two-year conditional card that is expired or within 90 days of expiration, follow the conditions-petition step instead of filing I-90. Otherwise, use the overseas step first if the card was lost abroad; use I-90 if you are in the United States ([Form I-90 instructions](https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/i-90instr.pdf); [Form I-131A](https://www.uscis.gov/i-131a)).
Only for a two-year card at or within 90 days of expiration
File the conditions petition if your two-year card is near expiration
For marriage-based residence, file [Form I-751](https://www.uscis.gov/i-751) with USCIS during the 90 days before conditional residence expires; online general filing is $700. For investment-based residence, mail [Form I-829](https://www.uscis.gov/i-829), general filing fee $3,750, during that 90-day period to USCIS Attn: I-829, P.O. Box 650889, Dallas, TX 75265-0889 by USPS, or USCIS Attn: I-829 (Box 650889), 2501 S. State Hwy. 121 Business, Suite 400, Lewisville, TX 75067-8003 by courier. Do not substitute I-90 for either petition ([Form I-90 instructions](https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/i-90instr.pdf); [Form G-1055](https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/g-1055.pdf)).
Requisitos
Before boarding, if the temporary absence is under one year
Obtain Form I-131A carrier documentation if the card was lost abroad
Pay the $575 Form I-131A fee at [USCIS’s online carrier-document payment route](https://my.uscis.gov/accounts/travel-document-eligibility-tool/start/overview), then file [Form I-131A](https://www.uscis.gov/i-131a) in person at a U.S. embassy or consulate with your payment proof and listed documents. USCIS measures the under-one-year absence to the date you pay the fee. This document assists with carrier boarding; it is not a replacement green card ([Form I-131A instructions](https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/i-131ainstr.pdf); [Form G-1055](https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/g-1055.pdf)).
Requisitos
In the United States, or after returning
File Form I-90 to replace the lost card
Select lost, stolen, or destroyed card—reason 2.a—on [Form I-90](https://www.uscis.gov/i-90). File through a USCIS online account for $415, or send the paper form and $465 fee by USPS to USCIS Attn: I-90, P.O. Box 21262, Phoenix, AZ 85036-1262; courier deliveries go to USCIS Attn: I-90 (Box 21262), 2108 E. Elliot Rd., Tempe, AZ 85284-1806. If you qualify for a , mail [Form I-912](https://www.uscis.gov/i-912), its supporting documents, and the paper I-90 together rather than paying the ordinary filing fee ([Form I-90 instructions](https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/i-90instr.pdf); [Form G-1055](https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/g-1055.pdf)).
Requisitos
After filing I-90
Request temporary proof if you need it before the new card arrives
Call the USCIS Contact Center at **800-375-5283** (TTY 800-767-1833) to request an appointment. USCIS decides whether to issue temporary proof and may place the stamp in an unexpired passport or on Form I-94; issuance is not automatic ([11 USCIS-PM B.2](https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-11-part-b-chapter-2); [USCIS Contact Center](https://www.uscis.gov/contactcenter)).
Requisitos
Otras personas que pasaron por esto
You are not the first to go through this. Here is how it went for others who asked the same thing.
Fuentes legales
This answer uses the federal registration statute, immigration regulations, USCIS form instructions, policy guidance, and its October 7, 2026 fee schedule.
8 USC 1304(e)
Federal law sets the age-18 carry duty and the possible punishment upon conviction.
(e)
Every alien, eighteen years of age and over, shall at all times carry with him and have in his personal possession any certificate of alien registration or alien registration receipt card issued to him pursuant to subsection (d). Any alien who fails to comply with the provisions of this subsection shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall upon conviction for each offense be fined not to exceed $100 or be imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both.
8 CFR 264.1(b)
The regulation identifies a green card as evidence of registration.
(b)
I-551, Permanent Resident Card—Lawful permanent resident of the United States.
8 CFR 264.5
The regulation requires replacement of a lost card and distinguishes conditional residents whose cards are close to expiration.
(b)(1), (d)
( 1 ) When the previous card has been lost, stolen, or destroyed;
Form I-90 instructions
The I-90 instructions give the correct lost-card filing reason and an identification alternative when the card is unavailable.
Reason 2.a
Submit a copy of your Permanent Resident Card, if you have one, or a government-issued form of identification that contains your name, date of birth, photograph, and signature (for example, passport, driver’s license, or military identification document).
Form I-90 instructions
A conditional resident close to the two-year card’s expiration must not use I-90 as a substitute for removing conditions.
Who May Not File Form I-90
Conditional permanent residents may **not** use this application to replace, for any reason, an existing Permanent Resident Card that is expired or will expire within 90 days.
USCIS Conditional Permanent Residence
USCIS states the ordinary petition window for removing conditions from a two-year card.
To remove the conditions on your permanent resident status, you must file a petition within the 90-day period before your conditional Green Card expires.
Form G-1055
The October 2026 fee schedule sets the lost-card replacement filing costs.
I-90 fee row
**General filing, unless noted below.** Paper Filing: $465 Online Filing: $415
Form I-131A
USCIS describes the overseas lost-card carrier-documentation route and its under-one-year trip limit.
Who May File Form I-131A
Returning from temporary travel outside the United States of **less than 1 year** , and your permanent resident card (also known as a Green Card) has been lost, stolen or destroyed;
Form I-131A
The carrier-document application requires online payment followed by an in-person consular filing.
Where to File
You must file Form I-131A **in person** with a Consular Section at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Before appearing in person, you must submit the filing fee through the online payment system on our website (see the Filing Fee section below).
Form G-1055
The October 2026 fee schedule lists $575 for carrier documentation.
I-131A fee row
$575
Form I-131A instructions
Carrier documentation is not a new green card; replacement still requires I-90.
Replacing or Renewing Your Permanent Resident Card
Receiving Carrier Documentation does not take the place of obtaining a new Permanent Resident Card. To apply for a replacement of your Permanent Resident Card, you must file Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
11 USCIS-PM B.2
USCIS permits temporary proof for a resident without a card and explains how to request it.
F.2
For example, LPRs who are not in possession of their PRC may need an ADIT stamp as temporary evidence of LPR status and employment authorization. LPRs may obtain an ADIT stamp by calling the USCIS Contact Center to schedule an appointment with a USCIS field office.
USCIS Contact Center
USCIS supplies the telephone number for requesting help with temporary proof.
Our toll-free number is 800-375-5283 (TTY 800-767-1833) and we answer live calls and chats Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm Eastern.
USCIS Replace Your Green Card
The 36-month renewal receipt requires the card, while someone without the card may seek temporary proof.
This notice, together with your Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card (also known as the Green Card), provides evidence of your lawful permanent resident status for 36 months from the expiration date on your Permanent Resident Card. If you no longer have your Permanent Resident Card and you need evidence of your lawful permanent resident status while waiting to receive your replacement Card, we may issue you an Alien Documentation, Identification & Telecommunications (ADIT) stamp after you file this form.
Form I-912
An eligible person can mail a fee-waiver request with the application and supporting evidence.
For all forms that are eligible for a fee waiver, you may mail in a paper version of Form I-912 with the form you are requesting a fee waiver for.
Form G-1055
The current fee schedule states the two filing fees for a marriage-based petition to remove conditions.
I-751 fee row
**General filing** Paper Filing: $750 Online Filing: $700
Form G-1055
The current fee schedule states the general I-829 filing fee.
I-829 fee row
**General filing** $3,750
USCIS M-274 §7.1
A permanent resident can choose an alternative document combination for a new employer’s Form I-9.
7.1
In Section 2, an LPR may choose to present a List A document (such as Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card, commonly referred to as a Green Card) or a List B and C document combination (such as a state-issued driver’s license and unrestricted Social Security card).
These are the official rules as published on the dates cited; rules and fees can change.
This is general information about official processes, not legal advice, and SettleKit is not a law firm.

