Lost Green Card

[miamortueres 0]

I lost my wallet last December together with all of my credit/debit cards, driving license, military id, state id and some membership cards. I decided not to replace it since I'm about to lift my conditional status this month. I see that I have to send a copy of my actual greencard back to back but how can I do that when I already lost it. Would that be a problem when i file I-751? I'm planning to send my affidavit of loss which i got the next day after I lost it and a copy of my U.S visa printed on my passport with the stamp i got from my POE. Do you guys think this would work? I'm really worried and started to think I'll be deported soon. Any advice will be very appreciated.

Edited January 10, 2010 by miamortueres

[Lona.C. 16]

I lost my wallet last December together with all of my credit/debit cards, driving license, military id, state id and some membership cards. I decided not to replace it since I'm about to lift my conditional status this month. I see that I have to send a copy of my actual greencard back to back but how can I do that when I already lost it. Would that be a problem when i file I-751? I'm planning to send my affidavit of loss which i got the next day after I lost it and a copy of my U.S visa printed on my passport with the stamp i got from my POE. Do you guys think this would work? I'm really worried and started to think I'll be deported soon. Any advice will be very appreciated.

I hope you reported your lost to the police

that would be the first important step to take

[parker101 1]

I agree that police report is the first step. USCIS is always want to drain your money by asking you to replace it, but you should probably (waste) your time and make an infopass and see what they will say, i do not see the point of replacing it. it will take more time to get it than removing condition.

[sjr09 155]

Section 264 of the Immigration and Nationality Act provides that, "Every alien in the United States … shall be issued a certificate of alien registration or an alien registration receipt card in such form and manner and at such time as shall be prescribed under regulations...." It also states, "Every alien, eighteen years of age and over, shall at all times carry with him and have in his personal possession any certificate of alien registration or alien registration receipt card issued to him.... Any alien who fails to comply with [these] provisions shall be guilty of a misdemeanor" and may be subject to fine and/or imprisonment upon each conviction. The specific requirements and procedures for applying to replace a permanent resident card are included in the Code of Federal Regulations [CFR] at 8 CFR § 264.5.

Please note: If you are a conditional resident and your status is expiring, these instructions do not pertain to you. You are to use USCIS Form I-751 (Petition to Remove the Conditions on Residence) to apply to remove the conditions on your permanent resident status.

But you do need to submit copy front and back of your GC!

[SuperDuper! 230]

The green card is like carrying $255 dollars (or whatever the exact replacement cost is). For my girl, I will have her make 3 copies of it, and put the original in safe hiding along with our passports, and other important documents. Only when we are expected to go thru a checkpoint, will she be carrying it. For paranoid types, they will carry it when going to the bathroom or buying a quart of milk, but to each his own.

OP, I'm afraid they will RFE you and ask for a copy of your GC. Are you sure you didn't make a copy of the GC and stick it in a drawer? Same as with DL and passport. Make a copy for the day these cards go missing. At least then, you have something to show authorities so they can check and see you are legit in their computer database. Good Luck.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

1) The green card does not belong in your or anyone's wallet. I maintain for years that it belongs in the safe at home, right next to the passport and the stack of $100 bills you keep for safe keeping, but if you really want to carry the card with you keep it separate from your driver license, bank card, and credit cards. I'm sure you don't have to ask why.

2) Nobody is going to deport you, but since you were careless enough to lose something so valuable as your green card, you will now be punished by Uncle Sam in that you have to pay $290 plus biometrics fee, all in order to get a green card that is pretty much invalid the moment you get it, if you ever get it. I say that because the I-90 application for the new card is sufficient for the I-751. Of course, you have to pay anyway, even if you don't get the card.

Therefore, you'll have to chump out the $340 for the new card, plus $545 for the I-751. Sucks, doesn't it?

And for your own sake, once you have your spankin' new 10-year card in your possession, put it in a safe place. A safe place is the one where you don't lose it, where your dog can't get it, and where it can't get wet or mutilated.