Quick answer: Do you need to file Form I-90 after turning 14?
If you became a lawful permanent resident and received your Green Card before turning 14, you may need to file Form I-90 after your 14th birthday for re-registration and fingerprinting. USCIS generally requires the age-14 filing within 30 days after the birthday.
Form I-90 has two specific age-14 filing reasons: 2.g.1 and 2.g.2. Which one applies depends mainly on when your current Green Card expires.
If your card expires after your 16th birthday, the current USCIS filing fee for the qualifying age-14 filing is $0. If it expires before your 16th birthday, the current USCIS filing fee is $415 online or $465 by paper.
| Your situation | What to check |
|---|---|
| Turned 14 within the last 30 days + card expires after age 16 | Review reason 2.g.1; no USCIS filing fee applies. |
| Turned 14 within the last 30 days + card expires before age 16 | Review reason 2.g.2; standard Form I-90 fee applies. |
| More than 30 days have passed | Do not automatically select 2.g.1 or 2.g.2. Review the current USCIS form and instructions. |
| Green Card has already expired | A different filing reason may apply. |
| Two-year conditional Green Card | Separate rules apply. Form I-90 does not renew expiring conditional status. |
If you are unsure whether you need to file Form I-90, first confirm the filing reason that matches your Green Card and current situation.
Why does turning 14 matter for a Green Card holder?
Lawful permanent residents are already registered with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. However, reaching age 14 creates a separate re-registration and fingerprinting requirement.
Current USCIS Form I-90 instructions state that a lawful permanent resident who reaches age 14 must register and submit Form I-90. This requirement helps USCIS update the resident’s information and collect new biometrics when required.
The age-14 filing is generally expected within 30 days after the 14th birthday. The exact Form I-90 filing reason depends on the Green Card’s expiration date and whether the application is submitted within the required period.
Who needs to file Form I-90 after turning 14?
The age-14 filing reasons on Form I-90 apply to a lawful permanent resident or a permanent resident in commuter status who has reached age 14 and is filing for the age-14 registration requirement.
This is usually relevant when the current Green Card was issued while the person was younger and they have now reached their 14th birthday.
A conditional permanent resident should not automatically use the age-14 reasons 2.g.1 or 2.g.2. Those options appear in Section A of Form I-90, while conditional permanent residents use a different section of the form and may have separate requirements.
If you are unsure which category applies, review the current Form I-90 eligibility and filing reasons.
When should you file Form I-90 after your 14th birthday?
USCIS’s current Form I-90 instructions say the age-14 registration filing should generally be submitted within 30 days after the 14th birthday.
Do not use the age-14 filing reasons before you actually turn 14. The 30-day period starts from the date of your 14th birthday, so it is important to check the exact date before filing.
The timing matters because Form I-90 reasons 2.g.1 and 2.g.2 are specifically tied to the age-14 registration requirement.
If more than 30 days have already passed since your 14th birthday, do not automatically select 2.g.1 or 2.g.2. Review the current Form I-90 and USCIS instructions before choosing the filing reason.
Which Form I-90 reason should you select after turning 14?
Form I-90 has two specific filing reasons for permanent residents who have reached age 14. The correct reason depends on when the current Green Card expires.
Reason 2.g.1 — card expires after your 16th birthday
Select 2.g.1 if you have reached your 14th birthday, you are filing within the applicable age-14 period, and your current Green Card will expire after your 16th birthday.
USCIS describes this reason as reaching age 14 and registering as required while the existing card remains valid beyond the 16th birthday.
Reason 2.g.2 — card expires before your 16th birthday
Select 2.g.2 if you have reached your 14th birthday, you are filing within the applicable age-14 period, and your current Green Card will expire before your 16th birthday.
A USCIS filing fee applies to this category. See the fee section below for the current amounts.
Before choosing either age-14 reason, check the expiration date printed on your Green Card and review the current Form I-90 instructions.
What if your Green Card expires before or after your 16th birthday?
The expiration date on your current Green Card determines which age-14 Form I-90 reason applies.
| When your Green Card expires | Age-14 filing reason |
|---|---|
| After your 16th birthday | 2.g.1 |
| Before your 16th birthday | 2.g.2 |
USCIS uses the 16th birthday to separate these two age-14 filing categories. This means two applicants who both turn 14 may have different filing reasons and fees depending on the expiration date printed on their Green Cards.
Before filing, compare your Green Card expiration date with your 16th birthday to determine which category matches your situation.
How much does Form I-90 cost after turning 14?
The USCIS filing fee depends on when your current Green Card expires.
If your Green Card expires after your 16th birthday, the current USCIS filing fee for the qualifying age-14 category is $0.
If your Green Card expires before your 16th birthday, the current USCIS filing fee is:
- $415 when filing online
- $465 when filing by paper
USCIS uses different fee amounts for these two age-14 filing categories, so check the expiration date printed on your Green Card before filing.
USCIS fees can change. Review the current Form I-90 fees and confirm the latest USCIS fee schedule before submitting your application.
ImmigrationDirect charges a separate fee for its Form I-90 preparation service. This service fee is not the same as the USCIS filing fee and does not replace any government fee that may apply to your Form I-90 filing reason.
What documents do you need for an age-14 Form I-90?
For the age-14 filing reasons 2.g.1 and 2.g.2, USCIS currently requires a copy of your existing Permanent Resident Card.
You should also provide any other evidence requested by the current Form I-90 instructions that applies to your specific situation. The documents needed can vary if there are changes or issues involving your personal information or Green Card.
USCIS may request additional evidence later if more information is needed to review the application.
For a broader list of supporting documents by filing reason, review the Form I-90 document checklist.
Will you need a biometrics appointment after turning 14?
The age-14 Form I-90 process includes registration and fingerprinting, so USCIS may schedule you for a biometrics appointment after you file.
If USCIS requires biometrics, it will send you an appointment notice with the date, time and location. Follow the instructions in that notice carefully.
USCIS may collect fingerprints, a photograph and/or a signature as part of the biometrics process. Follow the appointment notice for the specific biometrics USCIS requires in your case.
For more details about what happens at the appointment, review the Form I-90 biometrics appointment guide.
Can you file Form I-90 online after turning 14?
Yes. Form I-90 can be filed online when USCIS supports online filing for your filing reason. Make sure you select the age-14 reason that matches your situation and the expiration date on your Green Card.
The filing method is especially important for reason 2.g.2 because the USCIS filing fee differs between online and paper filing.
Once you reach age 14, you may also take control of a USCIS online account previously created for you by a parent or legal guardian and sign benefit requests on your own behalf.
What if more than 30 days have passed since your 14th birthday?
If more than 30 days have passed since your 14th birthday, do not automatically select Form I-90 reason 2.g.1 or 2.g.2.
Current USCIS materials are not completely consistent about which filing reason should be used after the 30-day period. The Form I-90 itself says that someone filing more than 30 days after turning 14 should generally use reason 2.j, unless the Green Card has already expired, in which case reason 2.f may apply.
However, another part of the current Form I-90 instructions gives different guidance for a late age-14 filing.
Because of this difference, it is important to review the latest Form I-90 and USCIS instructions before choosing a filing reason. Do not assume that either 2.f or 2.j automatically applies to every late filing.
If the correct reason is still unclear, contact USCIS or consider getting qualified immigration guidance before submitting Form I-90.
Does Form G-325R replace Form I-90 for a Green Card holder turning 14?
No. A lawful permanent resident who is completing the age-14 registration requirement should follow the current Form I-90 process, not file Form G-325R instead.
USCIS introduced Form G-325R, Biographic Information (Registration) as part of its broader alien registration process. However, USCIS also states that lawful permanent residents are already registered.
Current Form I-90 still includes the specific age-14 filing reasons 2.g.1 and 2.g.2 for permanent residents who need to complete the age-14 registration and fingerprinting requirement.
A Green Card holder should not assume they need to file Form G-325R instead of Form I-90, or that both forms must be filed.
Follow the current USCIS instructions that apply specifically to your permanent resident status and filing situation.
Does the age-14 Form I-90 rule apply to a two-year conditional Green Card?
Not in the same way. The age-14 filing reasons 2.g.1 and 2.g.2 appear in Section A of Form I-90 for lawful permanent residents and permanent residents in commuter status.
Conditional permanent residents use a different section of Form I-90 and should not assume the age-14 reasons apply to them.
Form I-90 also does not renew an expiring two-year conditional Green Card or remove the conditions on permanent residence. If your conditional status is getting close to expiration, a separate process may apply.
For more details, review the differences between a two-year and 10-year Green Card.
What happens after you file Form I-90?
After USCIS accepts your Form I-90, it will issue a receipt notice with a case number that you can use to track your application.
USCIS may also schedule a biometrics appointment if fingerprints, a photograph or other identity information are needed.
The agency will then review your application and supporting documents. If more information is required, USCIS may send a request for additional evidence.
If the application is approved, USCIS will produce and mail the replacement Green Card.
If you receive a notice or encounter a biometrics or document issue while your case is pending, follow the instructions USCIS provides for your application.
FAQs About Form I-90 After Turning 14
Do I need to file Form I-90 when I turn 14?
You may need to file Form I-90 after turning 14 to complete the age-14 registration and fingerprinting requirement. Whether reason 2.g.1 or 2.g.2 applies depends on when your Green Card expires and whether you are filing within the required age-14 period.
How long do I have to file Form I-90 after turning 14?
Current USCIS Form I-90 instructions describe a 30-day period after the 14th birthday for the age-14 filing reasons. It is important to check the actual birthday date and submit the application within that period when the age-14 filing reason applies.
Is Form I-90 free after turning 14?
Not always. If your Green Card expires after your 16th birthday, the qualifying age-14 category currently has no USCIS filing fee. If the card expires before your 16th birthday, a USCIS filing fee applies, and the amount differs between online and paper filing. Check the fee section above for the current amounts.
What if I am already more than 30 days past my 14th birthday?
Do not assume that reasons 2.g.1 or 2.g.2 still apply. Current USCIS materials contain different wording about the correct filing reason after the 30-day period. Review the latest Form I-90 and instructions carefully before choosing the reason for filing.
Who signs Form I-90 after the applicant turns 14?
Once the applicant reaches age 14, they can generally sign Form I-90 on their own behalf. USCIS instructions allow a parent or legal guardian to sign for an applicant who is under 14. USCIS online-account terms also allow a person who turns 14 to take control of an account created for them.
Choose the Form I-90 step that matches your situation
Your next step depends on when you turned 14 and when your current Green Card expires.
- Turned 14 within the required period: Check your Green Card expiration date and confirm whether reason 2.g.1 or 2.g.2 applies.
- Need help with the form: Review the Form I-90 instructions.
- Ready to prepare Form I-90 for the age-14 requirement: Start Preparing Form I-90
ImmigrationDirect is a private company and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by USCIS or any U.S. government agency. You may prepare and file Form I-90 directly with USCIS.
