Lost Green Card: E-Request vs. I-90 Form Options

When a green card is shipped by USCIS but goes missing in postal transit, recipients have two primary remedies: submitting a 'did not receive card by mail' e-request through the USCIS online portal, or filing Form I-90 (Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card). In this case, USPS confirmed the card was lost at their facility after showing an 'Awaiting delivery' status since February 14. The recipient proactively opened a USPS missing mail search and subsequently submitted the USCIS e-request — the standard first step recommended for recently lost cards. A USCIS phone agent advised filing an I-90 instead, noting that an ADIT stamp (a temporary evidence of permanent residence stamped in a passport) would not be issued until after the I-90 is filed. This creates a practical concern for individuals needing immediate proof of status for employment or travel. For EB-3 green card holders in similar situations: the e-request is generally the correct first step for cards lost within 30 days of shipment. If USCIS cannot reship, an I-90 becomes necessary. An ADIT stamp at a local USCIS office provides interim work and travel authorization while a replacement is processed. Applicants should document all USPS communications and USCIS case numbers carefully, as processing a replacement card can take several months.