Need Temporary Proof of Your Green Card Status? USCIS May Be Able to Mail It to You
If you are a lawful permanent resident whose green card has expired, been lost, or has not yet arrived, there may come a time when you need temporary proof of your permanent resident status. That temporary proof is commonly referred to as an ADIT stamp.
USCIS has a procedure that, in many cases, allows lawful permanent residents to receive temporary evidence of their status by mail instead of going to a USCIS field office for an InfoPass appointment.
That can make an important difference for permanent residents who need proof of status for employment, international travel, a driver’s license, Social Security matters, or other purposes.
What Is an ADIT Stamp?
An ADIT stamp is temporary evidence that a person remains a lawful permanent resident of the United States. It can be particularly important when the person’s physical green card is no longer sufficient to prove status—for example, because the card has expired, has been lost, or USCIS is still processing an application affecting the person’s documentation.
ADIT stamps are commonly requested while certain applications are pending, including:
- Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card;
- Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence; and
- Form N-400, Application for Naturalization.
ADIT stamps and proof of status are especially important now because of USCIS processing delays affecting these types of cases.
The Old Process Often Required an InfoPass Appointment
Under the traditional procedure, a permanent resident needing an ADIT stamp generally had to contact the USCIS Contact Center, request an appointment, wait for USCIS to schedule the appointment, and then personally appear at the local USCIS field office.
That process could become frustrating when Contact Center response times were slow or appointments were difficult to obtain. USCIS now has another option.
USCIS May Mail Temporary Evidence of Permanent Residence
Under the newer procedure, a permanent resident begins by contacting the USCIS Contact Center. The basic process is:
- Call USCIS at 800-375-5283.
- Verify your identity and mailing address.
- USCIS will determine whether you need an in-person appointment or whether temporary evidence of permanent resident status can be mailed to you.
If USCIS determines that an in-person appointment is unnecessary, the local field office may prepare a Form I-94 containing an ADIT stamp, DHS seal, and a printed photograph of the permanent resident.
USCIS then mails that document to the address provided by the resident. According to the practice alert, the temporary evidence may be valid for up to one year.
When Will USCIS Still Require an In-Person Appointment?
Not everyone will qualify to receive the document by mail.
USCIS may still require an in-person appointment when:
- the resident has an urgent need for temporary proof of status;
- USCIS does not have a usable photograph of the resident in its system; or
- USCIS cannot adequately confirm the person’s identity or address.
So, although the mail procedure can make obtaining temporary proof much easier, USCIS still decides which method is appropriate in each individual case.
Who Can Use the Mail Procedure?
The practice alert identifies two general groups of lawful permanent residents who may use the procedure.
The first group includes lawful permanent residents who do not currently have a physical green card—for example, someone whose permanent residence has already been approved but who is still waiting for the card to be produced or delivered.
The second group includes permanent residents with a pending I-90, I-751, or N-400 whose automatic extension reflected on the receipt notice has already expired. That last category can be particularly important in long-pending I-751 cases.
A conditional permanent resident may have an expired two-year green card but remain a lawful permanent resident while the I-751 is pending. Once the automatic extension period provided by the receipt notice expires, however, the person may need additional evidence of status. That is precisely the type of situation in which an ADIT stamp can become important.
Why Temporary Proof of Status Matters
An expired green card does not necessarily mean that a person’s lawful permanent resident status has expired. Permanent resident status and the document used to prove that status are two different things. The practical problem is that employers, government agencies, airlines, foreign governments, or even other institutions may want current documentary proof.
Temporary evidence of permanent residence may therefore become important when a permanent resident needs to:
- demonstrate continued lawful permanent resident status;
- complete certain employment-related documentation;
- renew a driver’s license or obtain other government benefits;
- travel internationally and return to the United States; or
- provide proof of status while USCIS continues processing another application.
The precise documentation required will depend on the circumstances, which is why permanent residents with upcoming travel or another urgent need should address the issue before their existing evidence expires.
Do Not Wait Until the Last Minute
One practical lesson from this procedure is simple: if you know that your green card and any automatic extension are approaching expiration, do not assume that USCIS will automatically send you additional proof of status.
You may need to request it.
This is especially important if you have international travel planned, an upcoming employment verification issue, or another deadline requiring proof of lawful permanent resident status.
Even though USCIS may now be able to mail temporary evidence, the process still begins with the resident contacting USCIS and allowing the agency to determine whether mailed documentation or an in-person appointment is appropriate.
The Bottom Line
The ADIT stamp remains an important tool for lawful permanent residents whose physical green cards do not provide adequate current evidence of their status.
The good news is that obtaining that evidence may no longer require a trip to the local USCIS office. In appropriate cases, USCIS can mail temporary proof of permanent resident status directly to the resident.
For people with long-pending I-90, I-751, or N-400 applications, that can make an otherwise frustrating problem considerably easier to address.
Schedule a Consultation
If your green card has expired, your automatic extension is expiring, or you have a pending I-90, I-751, or N-400 and are unsure how to prove your permanent resident status, our office can review your situation and help determine the appropriate next step. We assist individuals and families with permanent residence, removal of conditions, naturalization, and other U.S. immigration matters. Contact our office to schedule a consultation.
Disclaimer
This article is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended to provide legal advice. Immigration procedures and USCIS policies can change, and the appropriate course of action depends on the specific facts of each case. Reading this article does not create an attorney-client relationship. You should consult with a qualified immigration attorney regarding your individual circumstances.
About the Author
Sean D. Hummel is a Florida attorney whose practice includes U.S. immigration and naturalization matters. He represents individuals and families in permanent residence, removal of conditions, citizenship, waivers, and immigration court proceedings.
