Lost green card and applying N-400

[baltoro 27]

We have twins and they have stashed the new green card we received somewhere and we can't find it despite extended efforts. I have filed N-400 with a photocopy of the old green card and application telling them of lost situation.

 

Filing for new green card I-90 will cost $540 and we absolutely don't need it since it becomes obsolete with N-400. 

 

Is there a chance they will approve it without the new green card? The rest of the case is perfect. We are married and have three wonderful kids, joined property etc.

[Olivier de Nimes 12]

Hi there,

 

unfortunately, you will need to show your GC when you go to the interview, than release it after the oath ceremony when they give you your Naturalization Certificate.

You should apply immediately for a replacement for a your lost card.

 

Regards.

[Saadat Alam 24]

7 hours ago, baltoro said:

We have twins and they have stashed the new green card we received somewhere and we can't find it despite extended efforts. I have filed N-400 with a photocopy of the old green card and application telling them of lost situation.

 

Filing for new green card I-90 will cost $540 and we absolutely don't need it since it becomes obsolete with N-400. 

 

Is there a chance they will approve it without the new green card? The rest of the case is perfect. We are married and have three wonderful kids, joined property etc.

You can naturalize despite for not having a green card. You are still a permanent resident. A permanent resident whose card was stolen, lost or expired, can get U.S. citizenship without getting a new card. Your will need some form of government-issued I.D., such as a driver’s license to prove your identity. Evidence that you are a permanent resident and they will pull your record. 

5 hours ago, Olivier de Nimes said:

Hi there,

 

unfortunately, you will need to show your GC when you go to the interview, than release it after the oath ceremony when they give you your Naturalization Certificate.

You should apply immediately for a replacement for a your lost card.

 

Regards.

Not true. 

[Olivier de Nimes 12]

Well, as Saadat commented, you might be able to go through your naturalization process without having the actual card.

You'll surely need a proof that you lost your card, i frankly doubt that a driver's license alone would suffice.

Anyways, you can always always apply to replace your card. Check the following link:

https://www.uscis.gov/i-90

I don't know your timeline, but, if you just send your N400 application and you apply to replace your green card, you might be lucky enough to get a new GC before you even have to appear at the naturalization interview. Worst case scenario, you won't receive the actual GC in time, but you'll be able to prove you applied for replacement and that should be good enough.

Good luck.

[baltoro 27]

15 hours ago, Saadat Alam said:

You can naturalize despite for not having a green card. You are still a permanent resident. A permanent resident whose card was stolen, lost or expired, can get U.S. citizenship without getting a new card. Your will need some form of government-issued I.D., such as a driver’s license to prove your identity. Evidence that you are a permanent resident and they will pull your record. 

Not true. 

This seems to make more sense. The language from USCIS says that they recommend applying for replacing green card via I-90. I don't see the word required.

[JT4/25 38]

we were told that "yes...you are a permanent resident....but if you changed jobs and they want to see the GC then you need to have it....and of course you would need it to travel internationally.  The level 2 officer told us that you should still get a new GC just in case you fail the citizenship interview...at least you would be in status.  This was just within the past 30 days.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

I VERY much doubt that you'll be able to naturalize without having a receipt for an I-90 in hand.

I had two Green Cards. They lived their entire lives in a locked fire safe box inside a locked Steelcase steel cabinet inside a locked room of my locked home, simply to avoid having to spend $450 for nothing. My "twins" would have needed superpowers to get to them.