Misplaced green card and N-400

[USGC14]

Hello gurus,

I am new to this forum but have found useful info, but could not find the suggestion for my concerns.

I have applied for US citizenship end of March and now have received FP notice. I cannot find my green card. What options do I have?

I understand that I can apply for replacement green card but that may take few months to receive it and maybe not so good use of approximately $500.00. So my questions are :

1. Am I required to reapply to get the new plastic card?
2. Is actual physical green card MANDATORY at FP and Interview?
3. Can I make infopass and try to get new stamp? If yes, then what is the likelihood of getting it?
4. If I go infopass route, what can be convincing reason to get the stamp on passport.

Thanks in advance.

[rayb]

Other options (as you list below) may work, but USCIS has in the past insisted on at least a copy of the Green Card, or the USCIS receipt for applying for a replacement card.

In the case of expired Green Cards, which happened about 15 years ago when USCIS asked all "non-expiring" cards to be recalled and replaced, USCIS has waived this requirement for a couple of people I helped. I think this might also have applied to 10-year card which were due to expire.

--Ray B

Hello gurus,

I am new to this forum but have found useful info, but could not find the suggestion for my concerns.

I have applied for US citizenship end of March and now have received FP notice. I cannot find my green card. What options do I have?

I understand that I can apply for replacement green card but that may take few months to receive it and maybe not so good use of approximately $500.00. So my questions are :

1. Am I required to reapply to get the new plastic card?
2. Is actual physical green card MANDATORY at FP and Interview?
3. Can I make infopass and try to get new stamp? If yes, then what is the likelihood of getting it?
4. If I go infopass route, what can be convincing reason to get the stamp on passport.

Thanks in advance.

[USGC14]

Other options (as you list below) may work, but USCIS has in the past insisted on at least a copy of the Green Card, or the USCIS receipt for applying for a replacement card.

In the case of expired Green Cards, which happened about 15 years ago when USCIS asked all "non-expiring" cards to be recalled and replaced, USCIS has waived this requirement for a couple of people I helped. I think this might also have applied to 10-year card which were due to expire.

--Ray B

Thanks for the reply.

I've copy of green card including approval that USCIS sent when green card was approved 5 years ago. Also, I have expired I-551 stamp on the passport. So based on your suggestion should I just go with copy of green card, passport, and FP notice for FP.

As I mentioned I think it may not make very much sense to apply for replacement card now, since by the time I may get it, I may naturalize. In this scenario - i.e. not applying for replacement card, if I make infopass appt would they stamp the passport on an argument I mentioned above(i.e. If I apply for replacement card then by the time I may get it, I may not need it).

[rayb]

I don't believe the I-551 stamp will be of any help. Since you have already submitted your N-400 application package, I think an INFOPASS interview is a waste of time. What do you mean by "FP?"

I think the worst that can happen is that at your actual interview, you could be asked to apply for replacement card and send them the receipt for that application.

--Ray B

Thanks for the reply.

I've copy of green card including approval that USCIS sent when green card was approved 5 years ago. Also, I have expired I-551 stamp on the passport. So based on your suggestion should I just go with copy of green card, passport, and FP notice for FP.

As I mentioned I think it may not make very much sense to apply for replacement card now, since by the time I may get it, I may naturalize. In this scenario - i.e. not applying for replacement card, if I make infopass appt would they stamp the passport on an argument I mentioned above(i.e. If I apply for replacement card then by the time I may get it, I may not need it).

[USGC14]

I don't believe the I-551 stamp will be of any help. Since you have already submitted your N-400 application package, I think an INFOPASS interview is a waste of time. What do you mean by "FP?"

I think the worst that can happen is that at your actual interview, you could be asked to apply for replacement card and send them the receipt for that application.

--Ray B

I have fingerprinting/biometrics appointment in coming week as a part of N-400.

Appointment letter says that - naturalization applicants must bring their permanent resident card. The biggest dilemma at this point as to whether go with GC copy to Biometrics appointment or 1st goto USCIS(Info pass appt), try to get the I-551 stamp and then go for Biometrics appointment?

Thanks again!

[DanielleShepherd]

How did it go?

I also lost my green card while making a copy of it for N-400.

When I got to my FP appointment, the very nice person told me that if I don't have my green card, I have to have my passport stamped so he told me to make an InfoPass appointment. I did that and it took all of 5 minutes. I wouldn't worry about if you haven't gone yet.

Good Luck!