Finally got GC, name is wrong and travelling soon!

[Great_Dane 1]

Hi everyone!

So today I finally got my conditional GC in the mail. The name however, is wrong (Omission of one character in my first name). My wife and I had a feeling this would happen, since the letter saying that I had been accepted as a permanent resident came before the Green Card, and the name on the letter was wrong there too. As soon as we saw the wrong name on the letter, I called USCIS and had the name corrected (even though we've spelled my name correctly on every single form we've ever sent them).. the woman said that when I get the card, if the name was wrong, I'd have to call them again. However, we also got a letter confirming I have corrected a USCIS error and that we'll have to file an i-90 with an expedite addendum saying that I need my new GC with the corrected name.

The problem with that is I'll have to send in the card with the misspelling of my name as well, leaving me with no GC for who knows how long. My dad died in May while I was waiting for my green card, and we've bought non-refundable tickets to go see my family and visit my dad's grave.

Has anyone been in a similar situation? Since technically my name is mispelled in a way that doesn't invalidate it, and the card has my biometrics, then I'm thinking I should be able to use it just fine, and just change it when we get home from our trip in December. I'm just afraid to take the chance and send my card in with the i-90 only to have the new card not arrive in time for our trip. It's rather frustrating, especially since I couldn't be at my dad's funeral.

I appreciate any help or suggestions..

[Lainie B 465]

You can get a I-551 stamp in your passport at your local USCIS office that will serve as a temporary green card while waiting for the new card.

[Hypnos 6,578]

I am sorry for your loss.

Make an Infopass appointment at your local office and take your (valid) passport and the I-485 approval notice, they will then give you an I-551 stamp in your passport which will serve as temporary proof of a green card for usually up to one year. You can use this stamp to legally work and re-enter the country without issue.

You will also need to file an I-90 to replace your green card, as you indicate. Since the card contains the wrong name due to a USCIS error then you will not have to pay any fee with the form.

Edited September 14, 2013 by Hypnos

[Great_Dane 1]

Thank you! I really would've had no idea that this was possible. I'll definitely try that.