Do I Need a Lawyer to Renew My Green Card (Form I-90)?

Short answer: usually no. Renewing or replacing a 10-year green card with Form I-90 is one of the simpler filings, and most people can do it themselves. The exceptions are a card that is for conditional residence, and a record that raises questions.

You can usually file alone if

• Your card expires within 6 months, or it has already expired.
• It was lost, stolen, destroyed or damaged.
• Your name or other personal details changed, or the card has an error caused by the government.
• You are replacing an old-style card.

These are the reasons USCIS lists for permanent residents in its Policy Manual. The list is not exhaustive, so check the form instructions for your situation.

Do not use the I-90 if

• Your card is valid for only 2 years. That is conditional residence, and you file Form I-751 to remove the conditions, not the I-90. An I-90 filed in the 90 days before the second anniversary is denied.

See an attorney first if

• You have been arrested or have an immigration record you are unsure about.
• You have been outside the U.S. for long periods, or are worried about your status.
• You are renewing in order to apply for citizenship and have questions about your history.

What the free check asks

About 9 plain questions: what kind of card you have, why you are renewing, your travel and your record. It tells you whether your case looks simple. Your answers stay on your phone.

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General information, not legal advice. MiVisaGuide is not a law firm and is not affiliated with USCIS. Always check uscis.gov for current rules, fees and form editions.