Lost Perm Res Card, want to just apply for N-400

[chivasgeo 0]

Hello All,

We lost my wife's permanent resident card. Do we need to apply for a replacement or can we just apply for the N-400 w/out a perm resident card, as far as I can remember the Perm Card expires in 2017.

Thanks in advanced for any info.

[BigDaddy28 228]

Hello All,

We lost my wife's permanent resident card. Do we need to apply for a replacement or can we just apply for the N-400 w/out a perm resident card, as far as I can remember the Perm Card expires in 2017.

Thanks in advanced for any info.

I think you will have to file for a replacement and send them a copy of the reciept with the N400. besides you will haave to hand back the green card in the oath date. good luck

[Cloudy9 11]

Hello All,

We lost my wife's permanent resident card. Do we need to apply for a replacement or can we just apply for the N-400 w/out a perm resident card, as far as I can remember the Perm Card expires in 2017.

Thanks in advanced for any info.

Yes you will need to replace the card first. There are several stages of the N400 which you will need to show the greencard. Firstly a copy of the front and back will need to be sent in when you first apply for citizenship. At the immigration bimetrics appointment they will want to see your card. At the Civics interview they again will want to see your card and then finally you will need to turn your card in to immigration at your oath ceremony.

[chivasgeo 0]

Thanks for replying folks....Darn...thought we can just apply for the N-400 instead of getting a replacement...makes me think why we can't just do that and save the $$$ on fees. USCIS has records to show that my wife's perm card is still valid!

Guess we'll just "follow the rules"....I wish they made some exceptions to the rules.

[nwctzn 55]

Thanks for replying folks....Darn...thought we can just apply for the N-400 instead of getting a replacement...makes me think why we can't just do that and save the $$$ on fees. USCIS has records to show that my wife's perm card is still valid!

Guess we'll just "follow the rules"....I wish they made some exceptions to the rules.

I remember reading that one applicant was able to get a stamp in his passport from the local USCIS office and applied for N-400 without a greencard replacement. I suggest that you schedule an infopass appointment with your local USCIS office and discuss your situation before applying for a replacement card.

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Edited November 26, 2012 by nwctzn

[No-Where-Man 147]

You can get a stamp for the purpose of travelling and if you are worried But, N-400 requires you to carry a valid GC, if the card is lost before applying, you need to apply for GC first, and when you are eligible for the N-400 you can apply and submit the receipt from USCIS that they received your application for another GC.

That sucks but you need to pay

[nwctzn 55]

Do you have a copy of the front and back of your green card?

[Duy Nguyen 3]

I'm not sure how it's work but when I interview for naturialization they ask to me show my green card and they took it back.

[Anastasia 1]

Make an infopass appointment first and ask them what they advise you to do. I was in a similar situation as your wife, my green card was stolen a few days before I was going to apply for citizenship, but I still had some photo copies of my green card front and back. I had an infopass appointment and an immigration officer there stamped my passport with a permanent resident stamp and I didn't have to apply for a green card replacement. At my citizenship interview they gave me a form to fill out (for free) stating my green card was stolen and told me to take that form to my naturalization ceremony since I don't have a green card to bring with me. Make an infopass appointment and maybe you won't have to spend money on a replacement green card if your wife is going to apply for citizenship instead, since citizenship applications go through so fast right now. If you don't have any copies of the green card (which is required for the citizenship application) maybe you will be able to send in a photo copy of the passport stamp instead.