Possible to apply for citizenship with lost greencard?

[sapphireskies 1]

I have two years left on my green card, and I planned to apply for citizenship next year. However, I recently discovered that I lost my green card! After reading through some forums, I saw that some people have successfully applied for citizenship even with a lost green card. I plan to report the lost card to the police this weekend. Has anyone here been through a similar situation? I understand the application asks for a photocopy of the green card—how did you handle that part? Thanks!

[OldUser 6,773]

Do you not have a photocopy of your green card? It's always advisable to make physical and digital copies of important documents such as passport, DL, GC... If you have a copy, file N-400 with that. 

 

You're planning to apply for N-400 next year. That's at least a few months. How would you live without proof of LPR status all this time?

 

I highly recommend applying for I-90 and getting a stamp in passport that serves as proof of LPR status.

 

Then file for N-400 and provide copy of stamp in passport.

[sapphireskies 1]

Hi! Thank you for your reply. I unfortunately don’t have a copy of the card. But I do have the numbers etc. My original plan was to apply next year before I realized it was lost. Now I hope I can apply right away after I file the police report. 

[Family 4,015]

Yes you can apply for N-400 with a lost card, as long as you know your # A number. In the meantime do a free online FOIA for a complete copy of your immigration file 

[sapphireskies 1]

Thank you. That’s reassuring and helpful. Hopefully a FOIA request won’t take too long. That’s a good suggestion. 

[powerpuff 6,715]

***Thread moved from Progress Reports to Process & Procedures as the question is about the N-400 process ***

[JR_CG 8]

On 10/12/2024 at 8:41 AM, Family said:

Yes you can apply for N-400 with a lost card, as long as you know your # A number. In the meantime do a free online FOIA for a complete copy of your immigration file 

If my wife has the temporary I-551 but her green card was never created because her IV packet was lost, I’m assuming that we can’t file her N-400 yet. Seems like in the system she doesn’t have an I-551 yet even though she has the temp I-551 in her passport. If the N-400 fee wasn’t so high I would try it. 
Right now we can’t figure out how to recreate her visa packet as we live overseas (military) and I don’t know how to extend her temp I-551 that expires in March 2025. 

[Family 4,015]

1 hour ago, JR_CG said:

If my wife has the temporary I-551 but her green card was never created because her IV packet was lost, I’m assuming that we can’t file her N-400 yet. Seems like in the system she doesn’t have an I-551 yet even though she has the temp I-551 in her passport. If the N-400 fee wasn’t so high I would try it. 
Right now we can’t figure out how to recreate her visa packet as we live overseas (military) and I don’t know how to extend her temp I-551 that expires in March 2025. 

Your time line is confusing. In original post you say she has 2 years left on green card…so it’s unclear if temp stamp is from her original date of entry ( lost IV packet). 
‘You need to clarify: 

1. When did she enter the US after IV interview?

2. Were you married less than 2 years at the time of her entry? 

‘If you are military and overseas , there are some special considerations for her