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Understanding Green Card Replacement Fees and When You Need Them

A Permanent Resident Card, commonly called a green card, is an official document that proves your legal status to live and work in the United States. Like any important identification document, green cards can wear out, get lost, stolen, or damaged over time. When this happens, you may need to replace it. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) manages the replacement process and charges fees for this service.

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The standard replacement fee for a green card is $455 as of 2024. This covers the cost of processing your replacement request and producing a new card. Additionally, USCIS charges a biometric services fee of $85, which is required for most replacement cases. The biometric fee covers the cost of taking your fingerprints and photographs, which are used to create your new card and verify your identity. Together, the total filing fee and biometric fee come to $540.

However, there are important exceptions to these standard fees. USCIS offers fee reductions or waivers for individuals whose household income falls at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty line. If your household income is between 200 and 250 percent of the poverty line, you may request a fee reduction. Those facing significant financial hardship may also request a waiver of the fees.

Understanding when you actually need a replacement is important. If your green card is expiring soon but is not lost, stolen, or damaged, you may be able to renew it instead of replacing it, which can have different requirements. Replacement is necessary when your card has been lost, stolen, mutilated, or contains incorrect information that you need corrected.

Practical takeaway: Before paying any fees, confirm whether you need a replacement (lost, stolen, damaged card) or a renewal (card expiring but in good condition). The distinction affects which form you file and the fees you owe. Gather documentation of your household income if you think you may qualify for a fee reduction or waiver.

Situations That Require Green Card Replacement

Your green card may need to be replaced for several specific reasons. Understanding which situations require replacement—rather than renewal—helps you follow the correct process and avoid unnecessary delays.

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A lost green card is the most common reason for replacement. This includes situations where your card has simply disappeared and you cannot locate it despite reasonable effort. A stolen card is another reason requiring replacement. If someone has taken your card without permission, you should report it as stolen and file for a replacement. You may need to provide a police report or other documentation showing that the card was stolen.

Damage to your card also requires replacement. This includes cards that are torn, bent beyond repair, water-damaged, faded to the point where information is unreadable, or otherwise physically damaged to such a degree that they cannot be used for identification purposes. Minor wear and tear does not typically qualify as damage requiring replacement.

If your green card contains incorrect information—such as a misspelled name, wrong date of birth, or incorrect immigration category—you will need to file for a replacement with the corrected information. This situation requires additional documentation proving what the correct information should be, such as birth certificates or court documents.

Changes in your legal name due to marriage, divorce, court order, or other reasons may also require a replacement green card showing your new name. You will need to provide legal documentation of the name change, such as a marriage certificate or divorce decree.

In rare cases, a green card may be replaced because it is wearing out due to age and normal use, and USCIS determines it no longer meets security standards. However, this is typically handled as part of a renewal process rather than an emergency replacement.

Practical takeaway: Document why your replacement is needed. Keep copies of police reports for stolen cards, photographs of damaged cards, or legal documents showing name changes. Having this documentation ready makes the filing process clearer and helps USCIS process your request more efficiently.

Fee Reductions and Waivers: Understanding Your Options

Not everyone pays the full $540 replacement fee. USCIS recognizes that some people face financial hardship and offers options to reduce or waive fees based on income level and circumstances.

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The federal poverty guidelines determine who may request a fee reduction or waiver. In 2024, the poverty line for a single person is approximately $15,060 annually. For a family of four, it is approximately $31,200 annually. These numbers increase each year. If your household income is at or below 200 percent of the poverty line for your household size, you may request a fee waiver. This means you would not pay the $540 fee at all. If your income falls between 200 and 250 percent of the poverty line, you may request a fee reduction, typically receiving a 50 percent discount.

To request a fee reduction or waiver, you must complete Form I-912, Request for Fee Reduction or Waiver. This form requires you to provide your household income, list all household members, and explain your financial circumstances. You must include documents showing your income, such as recent tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, or proof of receiving public benefits. If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), you may qualify for an automatic fee waiver without submitting additional income documentation.

Submitting a fee waiver or reduction request does not delay your replacement application. You file Form I-912 together with your replacement form (Form I-90) and supporting documents. USCIS will review both requests together. If your fee waiver is granted, USCIS will process your replacement request without requiring payment. If your request is denied, USCIS will ask you to pay the full fee before proceeding.

Keep in mind that submitting a fee waiver request is not the same as receiving one. USCIS reviews each request individually based on the documentation you provide. It is important to be honest and complete when filling out your financial information, as providing false information could have serious consequences.

Practical takeaway: If your household income is under 250 percent of the poverty line, gather your income documentation and consider submitting a fee reduction or waiver request along with your replacement application. Calculate your household's annual income accurately, and include all required documentation to support your request. This could save you significant money on filing fees.

Additional Costs Beyond the Base Replacement Fee

While the base replacement fee is $540 ($455 filing fee plus $85 biometric fee), there may be other costs associated with getting a replacement green card, depending on your circumstances.

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If you need supporting documents to include with your replacement application, those documents come at a cost. For example, if you lost your green card due to theft and need a police report, you may need to pay a fee to obtain an official copy of that report. Different police departments charge different amounts, ranging from $10 to $30 or more. If you need a certified copy of your birth certificate to prove your identity or correct information on your card, vital records offices charge fees that vary by state, typically between $10 and $25.

If you live far from a USCIS Application Support Center where you must go for biometrics, you may incur travel costs. The biometric appointment is not optional—it is required for most green card replacement cases. You must appear in person to have your fingerprints taken and photograph taken. Travel costs such as gas, public transportation, or parking are not covered by USCIS but are expenses you may need to budget for.

Some people hire an immigration attorney or accredited representative to help them file their replacement application. While this is not necessary—you can file the application yourself—attorney or representative fees can range from $500 to $2,000 or more, depending on the complexity of your case and your location. This is an optional cost, not a required one.

If you need expedited processing of your replacement application, USCIS does not offer an expedited green card replacement service through normal channels. However, if you have an urgent need to travel internationally or have a critical situation, you may request an expedited replacement through USCIS and explain your circumstances. There is no additional fee for this request, but it is not guaranteed to be granted.

Some people choose to use courier services or document preparation services to help submit their application. These services charge fees ranging from $50 to $