Key Takeaways
Form I-551 is the formal name used by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for a permanent resident card.
The Form I-551 permanent resident card is valid for 10 years. Your status never expires, but you will need to apply for a new card before it expires.
ADIT stamps, or I-551 stamps, are issued temporarily while waiting for the physical card to arrive. They are usually valid for 6 to 12 months.
Form I-551 cards are used for employment authorization, reentry into the country, identification, and applying for government benefits.
Form I-551 is the official U.S. government designation for a Permanent Resident Card, or Green Card. It serves as evidence that a non-citizen has been granted lawful permanent resident status in the United States.
In this post, we’ll cover everything you need to know about Form I-551 permanent resident cards and ADIT stamps. Whether you have a physical plastic card or a temporary ink stamp in a passport, Form I-551 is the key document to prove your right to remain in the country, work, travel, and access benefits. If you need help with immigration to the US, we can help. We’re experts in immigration law, including naturalization, military parole in place, VAWA, DACA, and more. Click the button below to request more information.
What Is Form I-551?
Although most people refer to it as a Green Card, Form I-551 is the official name of the U.S. immigration document for lawful permanent residents. USCIS issues the card to individuals who have, typically after years of interviews and forms, been granted permanent resident status in the United States.
The front of the card includes:
Photograph and fingerprint
Full name
Birth date
Country of birth
Sex
Expiration date
A-number (Alien Registration Number)
“Form I-551” is printed on the back at the top left corner. The back also includes a barcode and a string of letters and numbers that contain your Green Card number.
Aside from proving your status as a permanent resident, Form I-551 can be used when seeking employment, reentering the United States, and applying for a Social Security number and state driver’s license.
Types of Form I-551
Form I-551 has three main types. All formats prove your status as a lawful permanent resident, including:
Permanent Resident Card: This is the standard plastic card issued to lawful permanent residents. Because past versions were green, people most commonly call it a green card.
Valid for 10 years (conditional residents get a 2-year version)
Contains your photo, fingerprint, signature, and expiration date
Has a USCIS number and card number on the back
I-551 Stamp (also called the ADIT stamp): A temporary ink stamp placed in a foreign passport that shows your status as a lawful permanent resident. It’s issued while you wait for the physical card to arrive.
Valid for 12 months (sometimes less, depending on the officer)
Issued after entering the U.S. with an immigrant visa or filing Form I-90, I-751, or I-829 to prove your legal status
MRIV with I-551 Notation: A Machine Readable Immigrant Visa inside your foreign passport with notation that it serves as a temporary I-551. It’s issued after consular processing.
Valid for 1 year from the day you enter the country
Used for employment authorization or travel while waiting for the green card to arrive
Uses of Form I-551
No matter the format, Form I-551 is proof of your lawful permanent resident status. Your status does not expire, meaning you have the permanent right to live and work in the United States. Form I-551 is used in a number of ways, including:
Proof of legal residency: Form I-551 proves you can legally reside in the United States. You can use it when applying for housing, loans, or government benefits you’re eligible for.
Employment authorization: Form I-551 proves that you are authorized to work in the United States. It allows you to apply for jobs and advance your career throughout the U.S. You can use the permanent card, I-551 stamp, or MRIV with I-551 notation evidence to confirm your work eligibility.
Identification: Your Green Card serves as an official government ID. You can use it to get a driver’s license, state ID, or Social Security number.
Travel: You can use your permanent resident card when reentering the United States after traveling abroad.
Sponsoring family: Your Form I-551 permanent resident card enables you to sponsor immediate family members who would like to join you in the U.S.
Applying for citizenship: After living as a lawful permanent resident for five years, you can use your Green Card to apply for U.S. citizenship.
What Is an I-551 Stamp?
An I-551 stamp or ADIT stamp (Alien Documentation, Identification, and Telecommunications stamp) is a temporary stamp placed inside a foreign passport by USCIS or a U.S. consulate. It proves that you have been granted lawful permanent residence. The stamp is usually valid for 6 to 12 months.
What Is the I-551 Stamp for?
The I-551 stamp is a temporary proof of permanent residence, used while waiting for the physical Green Card to arrive. It’s typically issued when:
You were just approved for permanent residency abroad and need to enter the U.S. before the card arrives.
Your green card was lost, stolen, or destroyed.
Your renewal is pending, and the card hasn’t arrived yet.
You’re a conditional resident awaiting the removal of conditions.
The I-551 stamp is a rectangular stamp with your A-number, the date, expiration date, and a USCIS seal. It’s hand-stamped and initialed by an officer.
You can use it for employment (List A on Form I-9) and reentry to the U.S., but it doesn’t work for TSA PreCheck or Real ID applications. For those, you will need to have the physical card in hand.
How to Get an I-551 Stamp
In order to get an ADIT stamp, you will need to follow these steps:
Determine eligibility: You may be eligible for an I-551 stamp if your green card is lost or stolen. Additionally, if both your green card and extension notice have expired and you have a pending Form I-90 (Application to Replace Green Card), Form I-751 (Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence), or Form N-400 (Application for Naturalization).
Make an appointment: Call the USCIS Contact Center at 1-800-375-5283. You will explain the situation and ask for an appointment. You cannot just walk into a field office to request a stamp. USCIS will verify your identity, confirm your address, and make sure your address is eligible for FedEx or UPS express mail.
Receive the stamp by mail: If your situation isn’t urgent, you may not need to go in person to a USCIS field office. In this case, USCIS will review your request and mail you a Form I-94 with an ADIT stamp, your photo, and a DHS seal.
Documents you need: At the appointment, you will need to provide evidence of your status. Bring with you proof that you filed the appropriate form (Form I-90, Form I-751, or Form N-400), a copy of your expired green card (if you have it), proof of ID, and evidence to support the urgency of your request.
Attend the scheduled appointment: The USCIS officer will meet with you and review your evidence. If approved, they will place the ADIT stamp in your foreign passport. If you do not have your passport, they will likely place the stamp on a Form I-94.
Valid for 6 to 12 months: The stamp is typically valid for 6 to 12 months after it is issued. This should give you time for your new Form I-551 permanent resident card to be issued.
With the option to receive the ADIT stamp by mail, USCIS is able to process these requests much more quickly. In-person visits to the USCIS field office are typically only necessary when the situation is urgent, such as when you will be travelling or need documentation for employment. If you have questions about your eligibility, you can contact USCIS or talk with an immigration lawyer like Ginsburg & Perez.
Where You Can Find the Document Number on Your Permanent Resident Card
The document number, also called the receipt number, is located on the back of your permanent resident card in the first line of characters, specifically positions 16 to 28. This is different from your A-number, or Alien Resident Number, which is tied to you as an individual. The document number identifies your Green Card and has 13 digits. It typically starts with three letters followed by ten numbers.
How to Use a Permanent Resident Card for I-9 Verification
As a lawful permanent resident, you can use your Form I-551 to prove that you are authorized to work. The Green Card counts as a List A document, so you don’t need to provide any List B documents.
Here’s how the I-9 verification process usually works for green card holders:
You present your physical Green Card (or unexpired I-551 stamp in a passport) to your new employer.
Your employer examines the card to ensure it’s valid and not expired. They will also make sure the photo on the ID matches you, verify your name and birthday, and check security features on the card.
Your employer will enter the document info into Section 2 of Form I-9.
They will sign and date Section 2.
An expired green card cannot be used for I-9 purposes unless accompanied by a Form I-797 receipt notice that shows an automatic extension (usually 24 or 48 months for renewal or removal of conditions cases). An I-551 stamp in a passport is valid for I-9 purposes until the stamp’s expiration date. Employers cannot ask for the card before the employee starts work and cannot make copies unless they do so for all employees consistently.
The I-551 Stamp vs Permanent Resident Card
The I-551 stamp and Form I-551 permanent resident card both prove your status as a lawful permanent resident in the United States. However, there are some key differences.
| Feature | I-551 Stamp | Green Card |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Ink stamp in a passport | Plastic card with a photo |
| Valid for | 6 to 12 months | 10 years (or 2 years for conditional residents) |
| Proof of status | Temporary proof | Primary, long-term proof |
| Employment (I-9) | Valid until stamp expires | Valid until card expires |
| Travel reentry | Valid with a valid foreign passport | Valid with card alone in most cases |
| Real ID/Driver’s license | Usually not accepted | Accepted |
| TSA PreCheck | Not accepted | Accepted |
| Replacement if lost | Must get a new appointment and stamp | File Form I-90 for a replacement card |
IThe biggest difference between the I-551 stamp vs permanent resident card is that the stamp is temporary. It’s used until you receive your Green Card. Both the stamp and the card can be used for employment authorization and reentry, but you need the physical card for most everyday uses like getting a Real ID or proving status long-term.
What Happens If Your Permanent Resident Card Expires?
Your lawful permanent resident status does not expire, but the card does. While an expired card doesn’t revoke your right to live and work in the U.S., it can cause some practical problems, including:
You cannot use it for employment authorization without an extension notice.
You cannot use it to reenter the U.S. after traveling abroad. Airlines may refuse boarding, and U.S. Customs and Border Patrol may question you at the time.
You cannot use it as an ID to get a drivers license, open a bank account, or apply for benefits.
You may miss renewal deadlines for conditional residents, which could put your status at risk.
What to Do When Your I-551 Card Expires
Except for conditional resident cards, which last for 2 years, your Form I-551 card lasts for ten years. It’s recommended that you apply for a renewal before it expires. However, if your Green Card is already expired, you will need to:
File Form I-90 (Application to Replace a Permanent Resident Card): File online or by mail as soon as possible. It’s best to start the process about 6 months before it expires. You can stay in the U.S. while it’s processed. The I-797 receipt notice extends your card’s validity for 36 months. Keep this with your expired card for I-9 and travel purposes.
File Form I-751 or I-829 (conditional residents): If your 2-year card is expiring, file to remove conditions within the 90-day window before expiration. The receipt notice extends your status for 48 months. If you miss the window, you may need to file a waiver explaining why.
Get an I-551 stamp if you need to travel: If your renewal is pending and you need to travel before the new card arrives, schedule an appointment to get an ADIT stamp.
Don’t travel on an expired card: If you’re abroad when your card expires, contact the nearest U.S. consulate to get a boarding foil (a transportation letter) to return to the U.S.
Tip: Even if your card is already expired, file the renewal now. The sooner you file, the sooner you’ll get the extension notice that makes your expired card usable again.
How Much Is the Form I-551 Fee?
Since Form I-551 isn’t a single application, there is no one specific fee. Here are some of the fees you may encounter when obtaining a Form I-551 permanent resident card:
Renewing or replacing a Green Card (Form I-90): $415 for online filing or $465 for paper filing.
Getting an I-551 stamp: No fee
Conditional resident removing conditions:
Form I-751 (marriage-based) $700 online, $750 paper filing;
Form I-829 (investor-based) $3,750
Initial Green Card (if already living in the U.S.: Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status): $1,390 online, $1,440 paper filing
Form I-551 Conclusion
Whether carrying the physical card or relying on a temporary I-551 stamp, keeping your green card valid and up to date prevents disruptions to your daily life. If your card is approaching expiration, file for renewal early (six months before expiration), keep your receipt notice handy, and don’t travel internationally on an expired card.
Have questions about Form I-551 or need help filing for a renewal? Ginsburg & Perez is here to help. We specialize in immigration law and can help you with the intricacies of filing. Our staff is bilingual in English and Spanish, which helps us serve a wider clientele.
FAQs
What is a temporary I-551 stamp?
A temporary I-551 stamp serves as proof of lawful permanent residence while you wait for your physical Green Card to be issued or replaced. USCIS or a U.S. consulate places it in your passport.
How long is a temporary I-551 stamp good for?
Usually 12 months from the date it’s issued, but in some situations, the office may give a shorter validity of 6 months.
Can I travel with an I-551 stamp?
Yes, you can use the I-551 stamp to reenter the U.S. when returning from international travel, as long as it’s still valid. Carry your passport with the stamp and keep a copy of your pending application receipt notice as backup. Note that some airlines may not recognize the stamp, so it’s a good idea to check with the carrier before booking.
How long does it take to get an I-551 stamp?
The time it takes to get an I-551 stamp varies. InfoPass appointments with the USCIS are usually available within 2-4 weeks. Once you attend the appointment, the stamp is placed in your passport without a wait. If you need it urgently, mention it when you schedule your appointment. They may get you in sooner.
What’s the difference between the A-number and the I-551 document number?
The A-number, or Alien Resident Number, is an 8- or 9-digit number on the front of your Green Card. It’s unique to you and stays the same for life. The I-551 document number is an alphanumeric code on the back of your card that identifies that particular card.
*Nothing herein constitutes legal advice. You should obtain independent legal counsel regarding your specific factual situation.
