Check your Form I-90 for errors before you file

Replaces a green card that is lost, stolen, damaged, expiring, or contains incorrect information. A single missed signature or blank field gets the whole package returned — and the $465 filing fee is generally non-refundable. Here is exactly what to verify on your completed I-90 before it goes to USCIS.

How do I check my I-90 for errors?

1. Confirm you have the current edition

USCIS accepts only the current edition of I-90 — filing a superseded version is an automatic rejection. The current edition is dated 01/20/25; the date is printed at the bottom of every page. All pages must come from the same edition. Download a fresh copy from uscis.gov right before you file.

2. Verify every signature block

Unsigned or wrongly-signed forms are rejected outright — stamped or typewritten names are not accepted. I-90 has 4 signature blocks to check:

3. Make sure no required section is incomplete

Leaving required fields blank (instead of writing “N/A” or “None”) is one of USCIS's most common rejection reasons. On I-90, pay special attention to:

• Part 1, Items 1: A-Number (or "N/A" if none ever assigned)
• Part 1, Items 9: Date of birth (mm/dd/yyyy)
• Part 1, Items 14: Date you became a permanent resident / conditional permanent resident (mm/dd/yyyy)
• Part 1, Items name/address items: Full legal name and current mailing/physical address
• Part 2, Items 2.a-2.j: Application type — select the ONE correct reason code. Key traps: 2.a lost/stolen/destroyed vs 2.b issued-but-never-received (2.b only if the card was returned undeliverable to USCIS — otherwise use 2.a); 2.d DHS data error (attach the original card; no fee) vs 2.e your own error/bio change (fee applies); 2.f expired/expiring within 6 months; 2.g/2.j age-14 rules depend on whether the card expires before/after your 16th birthday.

4. Check every date — format and consistency

Dates must be written mm/dd/yyyy and must agree with your supporting documents and any other forms in the package. The date fields that most often cause problems on I-90:

• Part 1 Item 9 — Date of birth — Must match the existing card and records.
• Date became LPR / conditional resident — Must match the card being replaced.
• Card expiration vs reason 2.f — 2.f applies only if the card is expired or expires within 6 months.

5. Re-check the known I-90 rejection triggers

From USCIS's own instructions and rejection criteria, these are the specific triggers to rule out on I-90:

• Application not signed, or invalid signature
• Wrong reason code in Part 2 — especially 2.a vs 2.b (never-received requires the card to have been returned to USCIS) and 2.d (DHS error) vs 2.e (own error)
• Fee mismatch with the reason code — 2.b and 2.d are $0; paying (or not paying) against the wrong reason causes rejection
• DHS-error replacement (2.d) filed without attaching the original card containing the error
• Missing copy of the current/prior card where the reason requires it
• Age-14 filings (2.g/2.j) selected against the wrong card-expiry scenario

Related

Form I-90 error check — frequently asked questions

How do I check my Form I-90 for errors before filing?

Work through the checklist on this page: confirm you have the current 01/20/25 edition, verify every signature block is signed and dated by the right person, make sure no required field is blank (write "N/A" or "None" instead), check every date is in mm/dd/yyyy format and consistent across your documents, and re-read the rejection triggers below. Or upload your completed I-90 to FormGuard and get an automated line-by-line error report in about a minute for $39.

What errors get Form I-90 rejected most often?

Application not signed, or invalid signature; Wrong reason code in Part 2 — especially 2.a vs 2.b (never-received requires the card to have been returned to USCIS) and 2.d (DHS error) vs 2.e (own error); Fee mismatch with the reason code — 2.b and 2.d are $0; paying (or not paying) against the wrong reason causes rejection; DHS-error replacement (2.d) filed without attaching the original card containing the error; Missing copy of the current/prior card where the reason requires it.

Which edition of Form I-90 is current?

The current edition of Form I-90 is dated 01/20/25. USCIS rejects forms filed on a superseded edition, so download a fresh copy from uscis.gov right before you file and confirm the edition date printed at the bottom of every page matches.

What happens if my I-90 is rejected?

USCIS returns the entire package unprocessed and the filing fee ($465 by paper for I-90) is generally non-refundable — you correct the error, pay again, and lose weeks or months. That is why a careful pre-filing check is the cheapest step in the whole process.