Lost Green Card

[Rubyjade 0]

Hi All,

I lost my Green Card and need to go home to Australia in April. I looked up info on USCIS to get a replacement card but I saw the cost and went , along with a few choice words. $450..... SERIOUSLY??? Does anyone know if there is any way around this or do I just have to eat it and pay up? Seriously annoyed given the loss wasn't even my fault but if anyone knows if there is any other way or I just gotta wear it then please let me know. Thank you!

Suzie

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

Don't lose your sanity, your virginity, your life savings, and your Green Card. The latter one belongs in the safest place you have access to unless you are traveling internationally. My two Green Cards spent a protected life in a locked firesafe in a locked steel Steelcase cabinet in the basement of my home, next to the $10K emergency cash. Pretty much impossible to lose 'em there.

If you managed to lose yours, yep, $450.00 it will take to replace it. When you'll receive it, put it in the safest place you have access to, unless you are traveling internationally. Once you have reached your destination, put it in the hotel's safe until you are off to the airport again.

[SuperDuper! 230]

Did you make a copy of your GC and keep original in a safe place until you needed it?

Tell us of the circumstances where you last held your original GC, and if a copy would serve you as well.

Hope you find it soon!

Edited September 9, 2011 by Captain Ewok

[Rubyjade 0]

Thanks for the responses. Geez, guess I am just stuck paying the fee. It was lost when I started a new job in March. My employer took it, along with a couple of other work related documents to photocopy for my file. They never gave any of the documents back to me. Being at a new job, I was busy and there was a lot going on (my fault for not followin up), so I forgot about it until I resigned three months later. I mentioned it to them at the exit interview and they "couldn't find any of the documentation anywhere and they were sure they returned it all to me."

They didn't. My other documentation (industry licenses and certifications) also has to be replaced as they claim they don't have it. So I guess that is that. Lesson learned!! Thanks again for your responses and the next one will be safeguarded like nothing else!

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

That sucks, big time. Another reason not to take the Green Card out of its safe!

The next time you start a new job and need to show documentation of who you are and that you are authorized to work, leave the Green Card (List A document) at home and show your driver's license (List B document) and your unrestricted SS card (List C document).

The math for I-9 form purposes is: 1 (List A) = 1 (List B) + 1 (List C).

In plain English: you do not need to show your Green Card to any employer at any time ever.

Edited September 5, 2011 by Just Bob

[milimelo 4,477]

File a police report and apply for naturalization - if you have a copy of the 10-yr GC, no need to get a new one if you'll naturalize soon.

I would've gone after the employer to refund the fees for GC and certifications.