Immigration Blog

October 30, 2026

Lost Your Green Card? How to Get an ADIT (I-551) Stamp in Your Passport to Prove You’re an LPR While You Wait for a Replacement

Losing your Green Card can disrupt everyday plans. You may need to prove your status to an employer, travel internationally, or show that you are authorized to live permanently in the United States. The good news: losing the physical card does not, by itself, end your lawful permanent resident status.

If you have filed or are preparing to file Form I-90, you can ask U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for temporary evidence of your status. One option is an ADIT stamp, also called an I-551 stamp. Here’s how to request one and what to know while you wait for your replacement card.

Immigration attorney discussing documents with a client

What Is an ADIT Stamp?

ADIT stands for Alien Documentation, Identification and Telecommunications. An ADIT stamp is temporary evidence of lawful permanent resident (LPR) status. It is also known as a temporary Form I-551 stamp.

USCIS may place the stamp in your valid passport. In some cases, the agency may instead issue temporary evidence on a Form I-94 with your photograph. USCIS decides which form of evidence is appropriate for your situation.

The stamp or other temporary document can help prove your LPR status while you wait for a new Green Card. Depending on the document and its expiration date, it may also be used for employment verification and travel. USCIS recognizes an unexpired ADIT stamp as a List A document for Form I-9 purposes. Always check the exact document and validity dates USCIS issues.

An ADIT stamp is not a new Green Card, and it does not change your immigration status. It is temporary proof of a status you already have.

When Should You Ask for Temporary Proof?

You may need an ADIT stamp if your Green Card was lost, stolen, damaged, or destroyed and you need evidence of your status while waiting for a replacement. It may also be useful if your card has expired and you do not have other currently valid evidence, or if you have an urgent need to travel or document your status.

If your 10-year Green Card expired and you filed Form I-90 to renew it, your I-90 receipt notice may extend the card’s validity for 36 months when you present it together with the expired Green Card. If the card is lost, you cannot present it with the receipt. USCIS says you may request an ADIT stamp if you no longer have your card and need temporary proof.

An expired or missing card is different from losing LPR status. But you should not assume that an I-90 receipt notice alone proves your status when you no longer have the card. Ask USCIS what temporary evidence is available for your circumstances.

Step 1: File Form I-90 to Replace the Lost Card

For most permanent residents replacing a lost, stolen, or damaged card, the first step is filing Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card. USCIS accepts the form online or by mail. Follow the current form instructions and keep a copy of the filing and any confirmation or receipt notice.

Filing Form I-90 requests a replacement card; it does not automatically provide you with a passport stamp. If you need temporary proof, you must separately ask USCIS for it.

If you are a conditional permanent resident, a different filing may apply depending on why the card is missing or expiring. For example, removing conditions generally involves Form I-751. Check the USCIS instructions for your situation before filing.

Client preparing passport and paperwork at a desk

Step 2: Request an ADIT Stamp From USCIS

You can start by using the USCIS appointment request tool and selecting “ADIT Stamp.” The tool lets you request an appointment; it does not let you choose and confirm an appointment yourself. USCIS reviews the request and decides whether an in-person visit is needed.

If the online tool does not resolve your request, contact the USCIS Contact Center. USCIS may schedule an appointment at a local field office or, when appropriate, arrange to mail temporary evidence. A field office visit is not guaranteed, and the process can depend on the urgency of your need and whether USCIS can verify your identity and mailing address.

When you speak or write to USCIS, explain clearly that your Green Card is missing, whether you have filed Form I-90, and why you need temporary proof. If you have urgent travel or an employment-documentation need, say so and provide the relevant dates.

“InfoPass” is a familiar name many people still use for USCIS appointments. Today, start with the current USCIS appointment request tool or Contact Center instructions rather than assuming you can directly book a field office visit.

Step 3: Prepare Your Documents

USCIS may ask for information or documents to confirm your identity and determine what temporary evidence you need. Gather what you have before requesting an appointment or responding to USCIS.

Consider preparing:

  • Your valid passport, if you have one. USCIS may use it for a passport stamp; ask USCIS about passport requirements for your particular appointment. Do not assume a universal six-month validity rule applies to every request.
  • Your Form I-797 receipt notice or other proof that you filed Form I-90.
  • A copy of your lost or damaged Green Card, if you have one.
  • A police report or incident report, if the card was stolen.
  • Government-issued photo identification and your A-Number, if available.
  • Any USCIS notices related to your status or pending applications.
  • Evidence of an urgent need, such as travel dates or a request to document employment eligibility.

This is a preparation list, not a guaranteed USCIS checklist. Follow the instructions USCIS provides for your specific request. If USCIS schedules you in person, bring the appointment notice and arrive according to its instructions.

Person making a USCIS appointment request with passport and documents nearby

How Long Is an ADIT Stamp Valid?

The expiration date is set by USCIS. USCIS guidance says the agency determines the validity period based on the permanent resident’s circumstances; it generally does not exceed one year unless a regulation or policy provides otherwise. Do not assume every stamp is valid for one year. Check the date on your stamp or temporary document and use it only while it is valid.

If your replacement card has not arrived and your temporary evidence is close to expiring, contact USCIS again to ask about renewing or extending your proof. Keep copies of your requests and notices, and follow the instructions USCIS gives you.

Planning to Travel While Your I-90 Is Pending?

A pending Form I-90 does not, by itself, replace your Green Card as proof for travel. If you need to travel while your card is missing, ask USCIS about temporary evidence before you leave and confirm that it will remain valid for your planned return date. Airlines may ask to see documentation before boarding, and you should be prepared to present your passport and valid temporary evidence when seeking to return.

Travel can raise additional issues based on your personal circumstances, including the length of your trip and any past immigration history. If you are already outside the United States and your Green Card is lost, contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for guidance about appropriate travel documentation; the domestic ADIT request process may not be the right procedure from abroad.

If USCIS Does Not Schedule You or You Face Delays

USCIS may decide that an in-person appointment is not needed, request more information, or take time to review your case. Check your USCIS online account and case status, respond to requests, and keep your mailing address current. If your need is urgent or your situation changes, contact USCIS again and clearly explain what has changed.

If your identity, travel plans, pending applications, or immigration history make the request more complicated, consider getting legal advice before acting. An immigration attorney can help you understand which evidence to request and how a trip or filing may affect your case.

We Can Help You Protect Your Status

Bailey Immigration PC has more than 20 years of exclusive immigration law experience and represents clients before USCIS, Immigration Courts, and the Board of Immigration Appeals. Our team serves individuals and families in Portland and Beaverton, Oregon, and Fresno, California. We understand how stressful it can be to lose an important document, and we can help you understand the steps to take in your specific situation.

If you need guidance with a Green Card matter, learn about our family-based immigration services or contact our office to discuss your circumstances.

Official resources: USCIS: Replace Your Green Card · USCIS: Request an Appointment · USCIS: Contact Center · USCIS: List A Documents for Form I-9

This article provides general information, not legal advice. Immigration procedures and individual circumstances vary. Speaking with an attorney about your situation can help you understand your options.