What alternative documents can lawful permanent residents carry if they lack their green card?
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Executive summary
Lawful permanent residents who do not have their physical Permanent Resident Card (green card) can present temporary or alternative federal documents in specific situations: a Form I-797 receipt for a pending Form I‑90 (replacement) can extend the card’s validity for employment and I‑9 purposes (USCIS guidance) [1]. CBP/USCIS also recognize temporary travel evidence such as an ADIT (I‑551) stamp in a passport, reentry permits, and advance parole as return documents for LPRs (CBP and secondary sources) [2] [3].
1. What federal agencies list as acceptable temporary evidence
For employment eligibility and I‑9 purposes, USCIS guidance allows an LPR to present an expired or expiring Permanent Resident Card together with a Form I‑797 receipt notice for a pending I‑90 (Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card); the receipt functions as a List A document and automatically extends the card’s validity for the period specified on the receipt [1]. The Federal regulations and USCIS also authorize issuance of temporary evidence of registration or lawful permanent resident status — for example, when USCIS cannot deliver a replacement card in time for a planned trip abroad — so a documented temporary paper can be issued to facilitate return (8 CFR; p1_s8).
2. Travel documents that substitute for a green card at the border
CBP and related guidance identify several travel documents that serve as return evidence for LPRs: an ADIT or “I‑551” stamp in a passport (often applied at admission), a Machine Readable Immigrant Visa (MRIV) with the appropriate stamp, Advance Parole, and Reentry Permits. These documents are specifically used to admit or readmit lawful permanent residents returning to the U.S. after travel [2] [3]. Boundless’ explainer also notes that an MRIV plus the stamped passport can serve as temporary I‑551 evidence for up to one year after arrival [3].
3. Employment and identity contexts: what employers accept
Employers completing Form I‑9 must accept the document combinations specified in the Lists of Acceptable Documents. An LPR may choose to present either a List A document (Form I‑551 permanent resident card) or a List B and List C combination (state ID plus Social Security card). USCIS specifically instructs that an expired or expiring PRC presented with an I‑797 receipt for a pending I‑90 counts as acceptable List A evidence and that such receipt notices extend the PRC’s validity — in which case reverification is not required [1].
4. What to do if the card is lost, stolen, or expired
USCIS provides Form I‑90 to replace, renew, or correct a permanent resident card; while that application is pending, receipt notices (Form I‑797) can serve as temporary documentary evidence for employment and may be relied on for certain benefits [1]. Federal regulation permits USCIS to issue temporary evidence of registration to an LPR who applied for a replacement card but must depart and return before delivery of the new card (8 CFR 264.5) [4].
5. Context, limitations, and where sources don’t speak
Available sources establish what federal agencies accept (I‑551 stamps, MRIV, reentry permits, advance parole, and I‑797 receipts tied to Form I‑90) for travel, employment, and temporary proof [2] [3] [1] [4]. Sources provided do not detail every nonfederal document a state DMV or private entity might accept in lieu of a green card for driver’s licenses or other services; state-level lists and procedures vary and are not fully covered in the current reporting (not found in current reporting). The provided materials do not enumerate every scenario—such as landlords, banks, or airlines—and what each will accept; check the specific agency or company policy (not found in current reporting).
6. Competing viewpoints and practical advice
Federal guidance uniformly recognizes a small set of documentary substitutes: ADIT/I‑551 stamps, MRIV with stamp, reentry permits, advance parole, and I‑797 receipts tied to Form I‑90 [2] [3] [1] [4]. Practically, an LPR should file Form I‑90 promptly if the card is lost or damaged and keep the I‑797 receipt on their person; if travel is imminent, request temporary evidence from USCIS as authorized by regulation [4] [1]. For employer and benefit verification, rely on the USCIS-stated List A acceptance of receipts and temporary evidence [1]. For any use not covered by these federal rules (state licenses, banking, contractual matters), consult the specific state or entity because the sources here do not provide a comprehensive cross‑sector list (not found in current reporting).
Sources cited: USCIS I‑9 guidance on LPR documents [1]; CBP travel/return documents and related guidance [2]; Boundless explanation of I‑551/MRIV/stamped passport use [3]; 8 CFR on temporary evidence/issuance [4].