Quick answer: How do you get an I-551 or ADIT stamp?
First, check whether your Green Card and a current extension notice already provide usable evidence. If not, submit a USCIS online appointment request or contact the USCIS Contact Center. USCIS may mail temporary evidence on Form I-94 or require an in-person appointment, depending on why the card is unavailable and whether another case is pending.
An ADIT stamp proves existing permanent resident status; it does not grant or renew status. USCIS sets its validity period and does not charge a separate fee, although an underlying filing may have one.
The physical Permanent Resident Card is officially Form I-551. When a permanent resident lacks usable physical proof, USCIS may issue temporary I-551 evidence as a stamp in a passport or on Form I-94 with a photograph. However, a qualifying receipt or extension notice or a CBP-endorsed immigrant visa may already provide temporary evidence, depending on the resident’s circumstances.
Need help preparing Form I-90? If Form I-90 is the appropriate filing for your situation, review ImmigrationDirect’s Green Card renewal or replacement preparation service.
What is an I-551 or ADIT stamp?
Form I-551 is the official designation for the physical Permanent Resident Card. When a permanent resident lacks usable physical proof, USCIS may provide temporary I-551 evidence, commonly called an ADIT stamp. ADIT stands for Alien Documentation, Identification and Telecommunication. The evidence may appear in a passport or on Form I-94 with a photograph.
For a newly admitted immigrant, a machine-readable immigrant visa endorsed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection may also serve as temporary I-551 evidence. These documents prove existing status; they do not create or renew permanent residence.
Form I-551 is not a blank application that a resident downloads and completes. The term covers the physical Green Card and certain temporary evidence issued or endorsed by the government. Form I-90 is the application used for qualifying Green Card renewal or replacement requests.
Do you already have temporary evidence of permanent resident status?
Before requesting an ADIT stamp, identify which documents you already have and whether they remain valid when presented together.
| Situation | Evidence you may have | When ADIT evidence may be needed |
|---|---|---|
| Expired 10-year card with qualifying Form I-90 renewal notice | Expired card plus notice may extend validity | Card unavailable or extension ended |
| Pending Form I-751 or Form I-829 | Expired card plus receipt may provide extended evidence | Card missing or extension ended |
| Pending Form N-400 | Expired card plus qualifying receipt may extend validity | Card unavailable or extension ended |
| Lost, stolen, or damaged card | Form I-90 receipt may show a replacement request | Proof needed before the new card arrives |
| Approved card not received | Approval, admission or delivery records | Temporary proof needed while waiting |
| Newly admitted immigrant | Endorsed MRIV may provide temporary I-551 evidence | Evidence expires before the card arrives |
| Card expired, lost or stolen abroad | Domestic ADIT process may not resolve boarding | Contact a U.S. embassy or consulate; review Form I-131A |
Do not request an ADIT stamp solely because the printed Green Card has expired. First, determine whether the card and a current USCIS extension notice already provide usable evidence. Document acceptance can depend on the carrier, agency, or third party reviewing it.
Who may need an I-551 stamp?
A lawful permanent resident may need an I-551 stamp when the physical Green Card was lost or stolen; destroyed or severely damaged; expired without other current evidence; delayed after approval; mailed but never received; or unavailable while Form I-90, I-751, I-829 or N-400 remains pending.
Temporary evidence may be needed for international travel, employment, Social Security matters, state identification, benefits administration or another immediate documentation requirement. Before requesting a stamp, check whether an expired card and a current USCIS extension notice, or an endorsed immigrant visa, already provide usable evidence.
Needing temporary proof does not automatically mean Form I-90 is the correct underlying filing. The appropriate filing or request depends on why the card is unavailable and the resident’s immigration category and pending cases.
Must you file Form I-90 before requesting an ADIT stamp?
Not in every situation. Whether Form I-90 is required depends on why the physical Green Card is unavailable.
Form I-90 generally applies to qualifying renewal, replacement and correction situations. It may apply when a card was lost, stolen or damaged. Conditional residents do not use Form I-90 merely to renew an expiring two-year card.
Pending Forms I-751, I-829 and N-400 involve different underlying procedures. A newly admitted immigrant whose card has not arrived may need a delivery inquiry rather than a renewal request.
USCIS may request a receipt number or other case information before issuing temporary evidence. For more context, read our Green Card renewal or replacement guide.
How do you request an I-551 stamp?
- Review existing evidence. Check the physical card, its expiration date and all current USCIS receipt or extension notices.
- Identify why evidence is unavailable. Determine whether the card is expired, missing, damaged, delayed or connected to a pending case.
- Collect case information. Have the A-Number, receipt numbers, current mailing address and available case notices ready.
- Request USCIS assistance. Review the USCIS temporary-status documentation guidance, then submit an online appointment request or contact the USCIS Contact Center.
- Describe any urgent need. Explain an upcoming travel, employment, benefit or documentation deadline and provide accurate supporting details.
- Wait for USCIS instructions. USCIS may mail temporary evidence on Form I-94 or require an in-person appointment.
- Review the issued document. Confirm the name, A-Number and printed validity period, and contact USCIS about any errors.
The online tool submits an appointment request but does not necessarily let the resident select the final appointment time. USCIS reviews the request and determines the next step.
Will USCIS mail the evidence or require an appointment?
USCIS decides whether it can mail temporary evidence or the resident must appear at a field office.
Mailed temporary evidence
When mail delivery is available, USCIS may issue Form I-94 containing:
- An ADIT stamp;
- A DHS seal;
- A photograph drawn from USCIS records; and
- A printed validity or expiration period.
In-person appointment
USCIS may require an appearance when the evidence is needed urgently, USCIS does not have a usable photograph, the resident’s identity or mailing address cannot be confirmed or the request requires additional review. USCIS will provide the appointment instructions.
What does an I-551 stamp look like?
Appearance varies according to how USCIS issues the evidence. It may appear as a temporary I-551 endorsement in a passport or as a stamped Form I-94 with a photograph and DHS seal. The endorsement may include identifying information and an expiration date. There is no single universal design. USCIS determines whether mailed evidence or an in-person appointment is appropriate.
What information and documents might USCIS request?
Depending on the request, USCIS may ask for:
- A-Number;
- USCIS receipt number;
- Valid passport, when available;
- Expired or damaged Green Card;
- Form I-797 or I-797C notice;
- Government-issued identity document;
- Appointment confirmation;
- Current mailing address; and
- Evidence of an urgent need, when applicable.
USCIS determines the required documents based on the person’s circumstances. A passport may allow USCIS to place temporary I-551 evidence directly in it. Not having a passport does not necessarily prevent USCIS from issuing Form I-94 evidence. If Form I-90 is the underlying filing, review the Form I-90 document checklist for application-specific supporting evidence. This list provides general preparation guidance and is not a universal checklist.
How long is an I-551 or ADIT stamp valid?
USCIS determines the validity period for an I-551 or ADIT stamp based on the resident’s circumstances. Follow the expiration date printed on the passport endorsement or Form I-94 rather than assuming every stamp remains valid for one year.
An immigrant visa endorsed at admission generally serves as temporary I-551 evidence for one year from the admission date. When temporary evidence expires, the resident may need to request new proof. Expiration of the document does not, by itself, mean lawful permanent resident status has ended.
What can temporary I-551 evidence be used for?
Valid temporary I-551 evidence may be presented to document permanent resident status for employment, international travel and return, Social Security matters, driver’s license or state-identification applications, benefits administration, and other situations requiring current proof of status.
The organization reviewing the document may apply its own procedures and request additional information. Temporary evidence does not guarantee airline boarding, admission at a U.S. port of entry, or approval by a state or benefits agency. Its acceptance depends on the applicable rules and the document’s validity.
Can you travel with an I-551 stamp?
Generally, valid temporary I-551 evidence may help document lawful permanent resident status when returning to the United States. The document should remain valid through the anticipated return date, and travelers should confirm boarding requirements with the carrier before departure.
An ADIT stamp does not eliminate inspection, admissibility, or other entry requirements. It also does not resolve possible abandonment concerns arising from an extended absence.
A USCIS receipt or extension notice without the associated expired Green Card may not, on its own, provide usable travel documentation. Obtain case-specific guidance if the trip or absence raises additional concerns.
What if you are already outside the United States?
If you are already outside the United States, the domestic ADIT request process may not resolve an immediate airline boarding problem. A permanent resident whose card expired or was lost or stolen abroad should contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate before attempting travel.
Form I-131A carrier documentation may apply in qualifying circumstances, but filing Form I-90 does not independently authorize an airline to transport the resident.
An ADIT stamp, an endorsed immigrant visa, and Form I-131A documentation are different forms of evidence with separate purposes and requirements. Confirm the applicable process before making travel arrangements.
Is there a fee for an I-551 stamp?
USCIS does not charge a separate fee to request an appointment or receive temporary I-551 evidence. However, the underlying application connected to the request may require a government filing fee.
Form I-90, Form I-751, and other filings each have separate fees, eligibility, and filing requirements. Before submitting any application, review the current USCIS Fee Schedule and the instructions for the applicable form. If Form I-90 applies, review the current Form I-90 fee breakdown for online and paper filing costs.
What if you need temporary evidence urgently?
If temporary evidence is needed urgently, identify the deadline and explain why the document is required. Submit accurate supporting proof, such as a travel itinerary, employment deadline, or written agency request, through the USCIS online appointment-request system or by contacting the USCIS Contact Center.
USCIS decides whether an in-person appointment or expedited handling is appropriate. Do not purchase nonrefundable travel based only on an assumption that USCIS will issue the evidence by a particular date. Monitor USCIS communications and follow every appointment or document-submission instruction.
When should you speak with an immigration lawyer?
Speak with an immigration lawyer when it is unclear whether you remain a permanent resident or when USCIS records conflict with the physical card.
Obtain guidance promptly if a Form I-751 or Form I-829 deadline may have passed, you spent an extended period outside the United States, USCIS questioned the original grant of status, removal proceedings are pending or the card may have been issued in error.
Legal review may also be appropriate when you cannot determine whether Form I-90, I-751, I-829, I-131A or another procedure applies.
Not sure which underlying process applies?
An immigration lawyer can review your Green Card, USCIS notices, pending cases, and travel history before you decide whether to request temporary evidence or file another application. Speak With an Immigration Lawyer
ImmigrationDirect is not a law firm and is not affiliated with or sponsored by USCIS or any government agency. Lawyer consultations are provided through its law-firm partner.
Consultation fees cover only the consultation described on the service page. Government filing fees and separate application-preparation or representation services are not included unless expressly stated.
FAQs About I-551 (ADIT) Stamp
Is an ADIT stamp the same as an I-551 stamp?
Generally, yes. “ADIT stamp” and “temporary I-551 stamp” usually refer to government-issued temporary evidence of existing lawful permanent resident status. Depending on how USCIS issues it, the evidence may appear as an endorsement in a passport or on Form I-94.
Can I download Form I-551 as a PDF?
No. Form I-551 is not a blank application available for download. It is the official designation for the physical Permanent Resident Card and certain temporary evidence issued or endorsed by the government. Form I-90 is used for qualifying Green Card renewal or replacement requests.
Can I get an I-551 stamp without a passport?
Possibly. When passport-based evidence is unavailable, USCIS may issue temporary I-551 evidence on Form I-94 containing an ADIT stamp, a photograph and a DHS seal. USCIS reviews the resident’s identity, records and circumstances before deciding the appropriate format.
How long does it take to receive temporary evidence?
USCIS does not provide a guaranteed processing time for temporary I-551 evidence. Timing depends on its review, whether the evidence can be mailed, whether an in-person appointment is required and whether the request involves an urgent need. Monitor USCIS communications for instructions.
