If you have lost your green card, you will likely need to get a replacement as soon as possible. To get new green card, the steps you need to take will depend on whether you are inside or outside of the U.S. when you lose the document. By better understanding what you should do in the event that your card is lost, you can get your replacement as quickly as possible. Replacing Your Green Card If you need to replace your green card and you are a permanent U.S. resident, you will need to complete an I-90 form. This can be done online, or you can complete a paper copy. The filing fee for a replacement green card is $450, and this includes $365 for the form an $85 for biometric services. Replacing a green card is only an option in certain situations. You will need a replacement green card if any one of the following situations hold true: • Your previous card was stolen, lost, destroyed, or mutilated. • You are a former commuter who is now taking up an actual U.S. residence. • Your previous card was issued prior to your 14th birthday, and you have since turned 14. • You are a former permanent U.S. resident who is now taking a commuter status. • Your status was converted automatically to a permanent resident. • Your green card includes information that is incorrect. • You have gone through a name change or some of the other biographical information on your card has been changed legally. • You never received the card that was previously issued to you by USCIS. Losing Your Green Card when Outside the U.S. In the event that your green card is stolen or lost while you are traveling you may be able to get a transportation letter to help you return home. This letter is good for one month and authorizes transportation in order to get you home to the U.S. without penalty. To apply for this document, you will need to provide the following documents at your local U.S. Consulate office or Embassy: • A completed I-90 form • A valid passport • Evidence that you are a legal U.S. resident • Evidence showing the most recent date you left the U.S. (ex. Airline boarding pass) • A police report detailing the loss of your green card • A written explanation outlining why your green card is not with you • Three recent and identical passport-sized pictures • A filing fee of $165 Green Cards and Identity Theft A green card is a prime document for identity thieves, so if yours has been stolen, it is important to report the theft to the authorities. These documents contain a wealth of personal information that identity thieves can use to their advantage. By having access to your demographic information, date of birth, and green card number, imposters can open accounts in your name, and this can ultimately destroy your credit if they don’t pay the bills. Additionally, imposters may try to assume your identity if they are able to convince others that the picture on your green card is them. If you have lost your green card, it is important to check your credit report often in order to detect inaccuracies and other problems. Your credit report will show you the current accounts that you have open and their outstanding balances. Additionally, if an unauthorized user has gotten his hands on your card and has opened a new account, this information will also be displayed. You can then put a fraud alert on your account and work toward fixing any errors on your credit report. If you have lost your green card, you should take steps to replace it immediately. While there is a process in place for requesting a new card through the USCIS, this process will not help you if you lose your card while traveling outside of the country, so you should contact the nearest U.S. Embassy for guidance. It is also important to note than an unreported lost green card can result in ID theft, so you should keep a close eye on your credit reports. By following these steps, you can correct a situation involving a lost or stolen green card as soon as possible. Jana Lynn is an active blogger who is fond of writing articles on Credit Protection and advising people to immediate steps by informing authorities if your card is lost or stolen. Follow her on Twitter to know more on how to recover from lost green card.
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