Quick answer: What documents do you need for Form I-90?
The documents you need for Form I-90 depend on why you are filing. For an expired or expiring 10-year Green Card, you generally submit a copy of the card. A replacement may require a card copy or original card, government-issued photo ID, or proof of the correct information. Enter your A-Number on Form I-90; it is not supporting evidence.
See the checklist below for the exact evidence required for your filing reason. You can also read our complete guides to Green Card renewal and Green Card replacement.
Form I-90 supporting documents at a glance
The documents you submit depend on why you are filing Form I-90. The table below covers the most common Green Card renewal and replacement reasons.
| Why are you filing? | What should you submit? |
|---|---|
| Your 10-year Green Card has expired or will expire within six months | Submit a clear copy of the expired or expiring card. Retain the original card unless USCIS later instructs you to surrender it. |
| Your Green Card was lost, stolen or destroyed | Submit a copy of the card if available. If you do not have one, submit a government-issued photo ID showing your name, date of birth, photograph and signature. USCIS does not normally require a police report. |
| Your Green Card is damaged or mutilated | Submit a copy of the damaged card or qualifying government-issued photo ID. Keep the damaged card unless USCIS instructs you to surrender it. |
| USCIS issued your card, but you never received it | Submit a government-issued photo ID and a copy of the latest Form I-797 for the application that produced the card, or the applicable passport page showing temporary Form I-551 evidence. First, check card tracking and follow the USCIS non-delivery process. |
| Your card contains incorrect information caused by DHS | Submit the original incorrect card and evidence showing the correct information, such as a passport, birth certificate, marriage certificate or court order. A copy of the incorrect card is not sufficient for this filing reason. The Form I-90 fee generally does not apply. |
| Your legal name or other biographic information changed | Submit a copy of the current card and the legal document establishing the change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, adoption decree or court order. Keep the original documents unless USCIS requests them. |
If you are filing because you turned 14, changed commuter status, automatically became a permanent resident or hold an older card edition, see the filing-reason section below for the additional evidence required.
USCIS may request additional evidence based on the application. Review the current Form I-90 instructions before submitting your documents.
Want help preparing your Form I-90 filing package?
If you have confirmed that Form I-90 applies to your situation, ImmigrationDirect’s guided service can help you complete the application and organize the supporting documents for your filing reason. Choose Green Card Renewal or Green Card Replacement based on why you are filing.
What documents do you need to renew a 10-year Green Card?
For a standard renewal, submit a clear copy of the front and back of your expired or expiring 10-year Green Card. Separate identity evidence is generally unnecessary when you have the card.
Your filing package should include:
- Completed Form I-90;
- A legible copy of both sides of the card; and
- The USCIS fee or a documented fee-waiver request, if eligible.
Online filers upload the card copy through their USCIS account. Paper filers mail a photocopy and retain the original unless USCIS instructs them to surrender it.
This filing reason applies when the card has expired or will expire within six months. For timing and filing steps, read our Green Card renewal guide.
What documents do you need to replace a lost, stolen or destroyed Green Card?
Submit a copy of your Green Card if one is available. If you do not have a copy, submit a government-issued photo ID containing your name, date of birth, photograph and signature, such as a passport, driver’s license or military ID.
Also include the completed Form I-90 and the required USCIS fee or a documented fee-waiver request, if eligible. Submit copies—not original identity documents—unless USCIS specifically requests an original.
USCIS does not normally require a police report. However, reporting a stolen card may document the incident and help if someone misuses your information. See our complete Green Card replacement guide.
Documents required for other Form I-90 filing reasons
Some Form I-90 filing reasons require evidence beyond a Green Card copy or government-issued photo ID. Select the reason that accurately describes why you need a new card and submit the corresponding evidence.
| Filing reason | Evidence to submit |
|---|---|
| Damaged or mutilated card | A card copy or qualifying government-issued photo ID. Retain the damaged card because USCIS may require it to be surrendered. |
| Card never received | Government-issued photo ID and the applicable Form I-797 or passport page containing temporary Form I-551 evidence. Check USCIS delivery status first. |
| DHS error | The original incorrect card and evidence showing the correct information. |
| Legal or biographic change | Legal documentation establishing the change or correction. |
| Turned 14 | A copy of the current card when the age-14 filing requirement applies. |
| Changing commuter status | Recent evidence of U.S. employment or U.S. residence, depending on the requested change. |
| Automatic conversion | Evidence of the prior temporary status and qualifying government-issued photo ID. |
| Older card or another reason | A copy of the existing card and an explanation or evidence supporting the replacement reason. |
Age-14 filing note: USCIS has separate Form I-90 filing reasons depending on whether the current Green Card expires before or after the resident’s 16th birthday. For the age-14 filing period, 2.g.1 vs. 2.g.2 decision and current fee rules, see Form I-90 After Turning 14.
You are a conditional permanent resident replacing a two-year card
A conditional permanent resident may use Form I-90 to replace a two-year card that was lost, stolen, destroyed, damaged, never received or issued with incorrect information, provided the card will not expire within the next 90 days. Submit the evidence required for the applicable replacement reason.
If the card will expire within 90 days, do not use Form I-90. File Form I-751 for marriage-based conditions or Form I-829 for investor-based conditions. For help confirming the correct filing category, read Do You Need to File Form I-90?.
Do you submit a copy or the original Green Card?
The answer depends on why you are filing Form I-90. In most cases, submit a clear copy of the Green Card and keep the original. Do not send an original card or identity document unless the Form I-90 instructions or a USCIS notice specifically requires it.
If you are filing Form I-90 online
Upload a clear image of the front and back of the card. If the card is unavailable, upload the qualifying government-issued photo ID required for your filing reason.
Keep the physical card and original supporting documents. If USCIS requires the original card, follow the submission instructions provided through the online filing process or in a later notice. See our complete Form I-90 Online Filing guide.
If you are filing Form I-90 by mail
Include legible photocopies of the card and supporting documents. Do not mail an original passport, driver’s license, birth certificate or court document unless USCIS specifically requests it.
For a standard 10-year Green Card renewal, send a copy of the expired or expiring card and retain the original.
When must you submit or surrender the original Green Card?
If DHS issued a card containing incorrect information, submit the original incorrect card with Form I-90. A photocopy is not sufficient for that filing reason.
For a standard renewal and most other filing reasons, submit a clear copy with the initial application and keep the physical card. USCIS may later instruct you to surrender it. Do not destroy or discard an expired, damaged or outdated card while Form I-90 is pending.
Do foreign-language documents need an English translation?
Yes. Any foreign-language document submitted with Form I-90 must include a complete English translation. Submit a copy of the foreign-language document with its complete English translation.
The translation should cover all visible text, including stamps, seals, handwritten notes and information printed on both sides.
The translator must provide a signed certification stating that:
- The translation is complete and accurate; and
- The translator is competent to translate from the document’s language into English.
The certification should include the translator’s:
- Signature;
- Printed name;
- Date of certification; and
- Contact information.
A suitable statement is:
I certify that I am competent to translate from [language] into English and that this translation is complete and accurate.
USCIS does not generally require the translation to be notarized. Online filers should upload the foreign-language document, English translation and signed certification together. Paper filers should include legible copies of all three.
Do you need passport photos or biometrics documents?
You do not normally submit fingerprints or passport-style photographs with a standard Form I-90 filing unless USCIS instructions for your circumstances require them. USCIS will send a notice with biometrics instructions when required. Follow the current notice and see our Form I-90 biometrics appointment guide for the latest requirements.
Fee-waiver and payment documents
If paying the Form I-90 fee online, pay through your USCIS account using the available card or U.S. bank withdrawal option. For a paper filing, USCIS generally requires Form G-1450 for a credit, debit, or prepaid card, or Form G-1650 for an ACH debit from a U.S. bank account.
Checks and money orders are accepted only through the qualifying Form G-1651 paper-payment exemption process. If requesting a fee waiver, mail Form I-90 with Form I-912 and the supporting evidence required for your eligibility basis; do not file online.
Review the current Form I-912 instructions and our Form I-90 fee guide before filing.
Before you submit: Form I-90 document review
Before submitting Form I-90, review the complete application package. This final check focuses on whether the evidence is readable, consistent and matched to the filing reason you selected.
- Confirm the filing reason: Make sure the reason selected on Form I-90 matches what happened to your card and the evidence you are submitting.
- Check names and dates: Your name, date of birth, A-Number and other biographic information should be consistent across the application and supporting documents. Explain and document any legal change.
- Review every copy: Card images and identity documents should be clear, complete and readable. Include the front and back when both sides contain information.
- Check original-document rules: Keep original documents unless USCIS specifically requires one, such as an incorrect Green Card being replaced because of a DHS error.
- Verify translations: Attach the original-language document, complete English translation and signed translator certification.
- Confirm the payment method: Use the current fee and accepted payment method, or include a complete Form I-912 fee-waiver request with supporting evidence.
- Check the form edition and signature: Paper filers should use the current Form I-90 edition and sign the application before mailing.
- Review uploaded files: Online filers should open each uploaded file and confirm that the correct document and every required page are visible.
- Keep a complete copy: Save the submitted Form I-90, supporting evidence, payment record and delivery confirmation for your records.
For a line-by-line application review, follow our Form I-90 instructions before submitting.
FAQs about Form I-90 Documents
What documents are required for Form I-90?
The supporting evidence depends on why you are filing. A standard 10-year Green Card renewal generally requires a clear copy of the expired or expiring card. Replacement cases may require a card copy, government-issued photo ID or evidence of corrected information. The completed form, payment or fee-waiver request are separate filing requirements.
Do I need to submit my original Green Card with Form I-90?
Usually, no. For a standard renewal and most replacement reasons, submit a clear copy and keep the original card. USCIS requires the original incorrect card when you are requesting a replacement because of a DHS error. Do not send original identity or civil documents unless USCIS specifically instructs you to do so.
What documents can I submit if I lost my Green Card and do not have a copy?
If you do not have a Green Card copy, submit a government-issued photo ID showing your name, date of birth, photograph and signature. A passport, driver’s license or military ID may qualify. USCIS does not normally require a police report, although reporting a stolen card may help document the incident.
Do I need passport photos for Form I-90?
USCIS may require biometrics after you file, which can include fingerprints, a photograph and/or a signature. USCIS will provide instructions for the biometrics collection process. See our Form I-90 biometrics appointment guide for current requirements.
Can I submit Form I-90 documents in a language other than English?
Yes, but every foreign-language document must be accompanied by a complete English translation. Also include a signed certification stating that the translation is complete and accurate and that the translator is competent to translate into English. Submit the original-language document, translation and certification together.
Get help preparing Form I-90
The documents required for Form I-90 depend on the filing reason you select. ImmigrationDirect’s guided software helps you complete the application, review required fields and organize supporting documents based on that filing reason. After completing the process, you receive a filing package to review, sign and submit to USCIS.
Choose the service that matches your situation:
- Your 10-year Green Card is expired or expiring: Start your Green Card renewal application
- Your Green Card was lost, stolen or damaged, or USCIS directed you to file Form I-90 after non-delivery: Start your Green Card replacement application
ImmigrationDirect provides a private Form I-90 preparation service and is not affiliated with USCIS. Its service fee is separate from the USCIS filing fee. Blank government forms and filing instructions are available free from USCIS. You must submit your completed application and pay any required USCIS filing fee directly to USCIS.
