Is permanent residence under the conditional clause legally the same as being a Lawful permanent resident?

[bluebird80 4]

I realize this may not be the best place to ask this, but a lot of times, when I need to fill out all sorts of forms (at the bank, at payroll, etc), I need to indicate my immigration status. Now I am currently a permanent resident on the conditional clause (which means I have the 2 year gc). This is based on my marriage to a US citizen. Now, I know all about the removal of conditions requirement, and I know that this is the main difference between the conditional and the "real" green card. Are there any other more subtle differences I should be aware of?

Mainly what I am trying to find out is whether *legally* I can write down "Permanent Resident" or "Lawful Permanent Resident" when I am required to fill out forms, and whether I can put on my resume that I am a permanent resident (without adding "on the conditional clause" because that just confuses people who are not familiar with how immigration works). In many cases writing down "conditional permanent resident" will just confuse people, because they do not know what this is, and especially when it comes to job applications any unclarity about immigration status usually causes your resume to hit the trash can immediately.

Also, I noticed that even immigration uses the terms "permanent resident" and "conditional resident" interchangeably, which adds to my confusion further. So is a "permanent resident under the conditional clause" a type of "lawful permanent resident", and when applying for things (say, at the bank, the dmv, or any local and federal government agencies as well as potential employers), should I bother to specify that my status is conditional? I noticed that sometimes people care about this, for instance, the driver's license I got was only a limited term one, valid until my permanent resident card expires...

Thanks!

[bluebird80 4]

I should add that usually when you need to select a category (check one, or from a dropdown list, etc) there usually isn't a "conditional resident" category (only "permanent resident" one). This is also the case for the AR-11 form BTW!

[Pitaya 2,577]

Welcome to the forum.

See if this helps explain your I-551 Green card:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permanent_residence_(United_States)

[bluebird80 4]

Thanks I've read the wiki page, but it still does not answer my question completely. I'd be happy to know what do other people in my immigration situation write? Do you just say that you are a permanent resident and only get into details if specifically asked? Would you mark on a government issued form that you are a lawful permanent resident (given that there is no "conditional permanent resident" option)?
I guess my confusion really isn't about what the differences are (I am aware of those, at least mostly aware), but about how much it matters to "be precise" when asked about your immigration status. Basically I want to know whether legally I am required to explicitly specify that my permanent residence is conditional, and whether legally I would be correct if I wrote down on a form that I was a Lawful Permanent Resident.

Edited June 12, 2013 by bluebird80

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

You are a legal permanent resident. There is no difference between the 2 year and 10 year cards other than the fact that when your 2 year card is expiring you must file ROC to prove you had/still have a real, legitimate marriage not entered into for immigration purposes only. If asked, you are a US permanent resident, lawfully.

[bluebird80 4]

Thanks!