USCIS has announced that a new version of form I-90 (Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card) is now available. Prior versions of this form will be accepted for filing for 45 days, until July 28, 2010. After July 28, 2010 USCIS will not accept any other version of the form and will reject any filings with a previous version of the form. The date on the new version of the form is 8/10/09 (you can find this at the bottom of the form) so that you can see whether you have the correct version.
Form I-90 is used to replace a lost, stolen or damaged card, correct a mistake on the card, or renew an expiring card. The form can be filed electronically or by mail, depending on the circumstances of your case. The website at www.uscis.gov contains information about electronic filing.
Many residents can file form I-90 on their own, without the assistance of an attorney. However, if you are renewing your green card and have a previous arrest, you should seek the advice of an immigration lawyer prior to filing the application. There may be consequences to any criminal arrest that could place a noncitizen, even a permanent resident, at risk for removal (deportation). At the very least, you will be required to furnish certified dispositions from the court where the arrest(s) took place.
In addition, if you have spent lengthy periods of time outside the U.S. (over 6 months at a time), you should consult an immigration attorney about the effects of such absences and what it means to “abandon” your permanent residence. You do not want to lose what has cost you so much time and money to obtain!
If there is an error in the information on your card, such as printing the wrong date of birth, you must get a new green card with the correct information. USCIS is supposed to print the information that is provided on the initial application for the green card, so if you made a mistake on the initial form itself, you will have to pay the filing fee to correct the mistake. If USCIS made the mistake, you do not have to pay the filing fee to get a replacement card.
NOTE ABOUT THE PROPOSED INCREASE IN FILING FEES: USCIS is seeking to raise the filing fees for most applications. Although there is no effective date yet for the increase, the proposed fee for filing form I-90 will be $365. The current filing fee for this form is $290. If you know that you are going to have to replace your green card in the next few months, it may be wise to file before the increase in fees takes effect.
