Question
I lost my green card: which form do I file?
Short answer
It depends on where you are. Inside the United States, a lost or stolen card is replaced with Form I-90. Outside the country, on a trip under one year, USCIS describes Form I-131A to board your way back.
Paso Libre editorial team
Reviewed September 29, 2026 · Educational information, not legal advice
If you are inside the United States
The I-90 replaces a lost, stolen or damaged card. It is the same form used to renew it.
USCIS fee for the I-90: $465 on paper ($415 online). Paid separately to USCIS.
Paso Libre charges $99 to prepare the I-90 with you. You fill it in free and pay only when you finish your answers. USCIS fees are paid separately.
If you are outside the country
The I-131A page says it is for a resident returning from a trip of under one year whose card was lost, stolen or destroyed. It is a document so the carrier lets you board.
USCIS charges $575 for the I-131A and says the fee is paid online before the appointment. It is filed in person at a U.S. embassy or consulate.
If you have been away for more than a year, the I-131A page no longer describes you. That is a legal question.
If your question needs legal advice
This question needs legal advice. To protect you, we do not want to guess. Here is how to find a licensed attorney or a DOJ-accredited representative.
Official sources
- Form I-90 — USCIS ↗ · Read on September 29, 2026
- Form I-131A — USCIS ↗ · Read on September 29, 2026
- Form G-1055, fee schedule — USCIS ↗ · Read on October 10, 2026
- Find legal services — USCIS ↗ · Read on September 29, 2026
- Accredited representatives — Department of Justice ↗ · Read on September 29, 2026