I-551 Stamp and Form I-551 Explained

What Is an I-551 Stamp?

The I-551 stamp is a temporary record that you are a lawful permanent resident. USCIS adds it to a foreign passport or to a Form I-94 that carries your photo. USCIS describes it this way: I-551/ADIT stamp: temporary proof of green card status; request through the USCIS Contact Center (800-375-5283).

Where the stamp appears

Most stamps go on a page of your foreign passport. If you have no valid passport, USCIS can place it on a Form I-94, the arrival-departure record, with your photo printed on it.

What the stamp proves

The stamp shows the same thing your card shows: that you hold permanent resident status. It does not grant new status or speed up a pending case. Think of it as a bridge until the card arrives.

What Is Form I-551?

Form I-551 is the official government name for the Permanent Resident Card, the document most people call a green card. It is a card USCIS issues, not a form you fill out. That label is why the card and the stamp share a number.

A form number for a card

USCIS gives most documents an internal form number, even ones nobody files. The green card's number is I-551. Employers, banks and state agencies often write "Form I-551" or "I-551 card" in their lists of accepted documents when they mean the green card.

Forms people confuse with Form I-551

You never download or submit Form I-551. People who search for it usually need a different form: Form I-485 to get a first green card from inside the U.S., Form I-90 to renew or replace one, or Form I-751 to remove conditions.

Is Form I-551 the Same as a Green Card?

Yes. Form I-551 and the green card are the same document. "Permanent Resident Card" is the formal name, "green card" is the everyday name, and I-551 is the form number. The I-551 stamp is different: it is a temporary substitute, not the card itself.

Three names, one card

You may see "I-551 permanent resident card," "I-551 green card" or simply "PRC." All refer to the same plastic card. What matters is whether the card, or a valid stamp, is unexpired.

I-551 Card, Stamp and Immigrant Visa Compared

Three documents can serve as I-551 evidence: the plastic card, the temporary stamp, and an immigrant visa that a border officer has endorsed. Each has a different source and purpose. The card is long-term proof, while the stamp and the endorsed visa only cover a limited window, so the one you carry should match how long you need it.

Side-by-side comparison

Compare who issues each document and how long it lasts. The key point: only the plastic card is meant for years of use; the other two are stopgaps.

Which one you hold right now

If you just arrived as an immigrant, you likely have an endorsed visa. If you visited a field office or received a stamped I-94 in the mail, you have an ADIT stamp. If you hold a plastic card, check its expiration date before you plan anything else.

Who Gets an I-551 Stamp?

Two groups usually hold temporary I-551 evidence: new immigrants who just entered on an immigrant visa, and existing permanent residents whose card is missing or expired. The second group must ask USCIS for a stamp. New arrivals usually carry the endorsed visa instead.

Permanent residents without a usable card

The 2023 USCIS alert on mail delivery described who could ask: residents who do not have their green card, and residents with a pending Form I-90, I-751 or N-400 whose card and extension notice have both expired.

People whose card is stuck after approval

If USCIS approved your Form I-485 but the card has not arrived, you are already a resident. A stamp can help if you need proof quickly. Our i 485 green card application guide explains each step before approval.

When Do You Need a Temporary I-551 Stamp?

You need a temporary I-551 when you must prove permanent residence and you have no valid card or receipt extension that works for the purpose. Common triggers are urgent international travel, a new job and a benefits application that will not accept a receipt notice.

Situations where a stamp helps

• Your card was lost or stolen, and you must travel soon.
• Your card expired, and your receipt extension has also run out.
• Your card was approved but never arrived.
• An employer or agency will not accept a receipt notice.

When Is an I-551 Stamp Not Needed?

If your card is still valid, you do not need a stamp. If you have an I-90 or I-751 receipt that extends your card, that receipt plus the expired card is often enough proof. Ask USCIS for a stamp only when those documents will not work.

How Do You Request an I-551 Stamp?

You request an I-551 stamp by calling the USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283 (TTY: 800-767-1833). An agent checks your identity and address, then USCIS either mails a stamped Form I-94 or schedules a field office appointment. There is no online application for the stamp itself.

What to say on the call

Say that you are a permanent resident and need temporary evidence of status. Explain why: lost card, expired card, a card that never arrived, or urgent travel. Have your A-Number and receipt numbers ready.

Confirming your mailing address

A mailed stamp goes to the address USCIS has on file. If you moved recently, update it before you call and confirm it with the agent, since a stamped I-94 sent to an old address can be lost.

When to call

Live calls and chat: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern. Call early in the day if your need is urgent. Note the date and any reference number.

Getting the Stamp by Mail or at a Field Office

USCIS can deliver an ADIT stamp in two ways. In a 2023 alert, USCIS said it could mail a Form I-94 bearing the stamp and your photo from its records, or book an in-person appointment at a field office. USCIS decides which route fits your case.

How mail delivery works

The field office reviews your request and, if an office visit is not needed, mails the stamped Form I-94 to the address you confirmed. The alert said the agent also checks whether a courier can deliver to that address.

Who still has to appear in person

According to the same alert, people with urgent needs, people without a usable photo in USCIS systems, and people whose identity or address cannot be confirmed may need to go to an office.

What Should You Bring to an ADIT Stamp Appointment?

Bring your unexpired passport, the appointment notice, any receipt notices for pending cases, your old card if you have it, and proof of urgency if you are traveling soon. Missing documents can mean a second visit, so pack originals and copies.

Core documents

1. Passport, unexpired, with a blank page for the stamp
2. Appointment notice or confirmation
3. Form I-797C receipt notices for any pending I-90, I-751 or N-400
4. Your old or expired green card, if you have it

Extra proof for urgent cases

If you need the stamp for a trip, bring your ticket or itinerary. For a job, an offer letter with a start date helps the officer understand why you cannot wait.

How Long Is an I-551 Stamp Valid?

An I-551 stamp is valid until the expiration date the officer writes on it. USCIS decides the validity period case by case. Read the date the moment you receive the stamp, and plan travel and job paperwork around it. If the officer leaves the date blank, a default period applies, explained below.

Reading the expiration date

The date sits inside or next to the stamp, often handwritten. If you cannot read it, ask the officer before you leave the office. A smudged or missing date can cause problems at the border later.

If no date is printed

USCIS's employer handbook (M-274) sets the default. Temporary I-551 stamp: valid until its expiration date, or 1 year if no date is printed. We found no other official cap, so rely on the date printed on your own stamp and ask USCIS before it runs out.

What Happens When the I-551 Stamp Expires?

When the stamp expires, it no longer works as proof of status, but your permanent resident status does not end because the stamp ran out. If you still have no valid card, ask USCIS for a new stamp before the old one lapses, especially before any trip.

Before the expiration date

Check your card case status. If the card is still not ready, call the Contact Center about a week or two before the stamp expires. Ask for a new stamp at the same time, so you never go without proof.

What If Your Stamp Expires While You Are Abroad?

An expired stamp can make re-entry hard, because airlines and CBP want valid proof. You may have to contact a U.S. embassy or consulate for help. Talk to an immigration attorney before you leave if your stamp will expire during your trip.

The returning resident (SB-1) visa

In some cases people need a returning resident visa, known as SB-1, from a U.S. embassy or consulate. It is meant for residents whose stay abroad ran longer than planned for reasons beyond their control, and approval is not automatic.

Using the I-551 Stamp for Travel

A valid I-551 stamp in your passport is accepted as proof of permanent residence when you return to the United States. Carry the passport with the stamp, your receipt notices and your old card if you have it. Make sure the stamp is valid for your whole trip.

Returning to the United States

At the port of entry, show your passport with the stamp to the CBP officer. If your stamp is on a Form I-94 instead, carry it with your passport. Airlines may check documents at boarding, so keep them in your carry-on bag.

Long trips and your residence

A stamp does not change the rules on long absences. Long trips abroad can raise questions about whether you gave up your residence, and they can affect a future citizenship application. If you plan an extended stay, read about re-entry permits first.

Using the I-551 Stamp for Work and Form I-9

Employers check identity and work permission on Form I-9. A temporary ADIT stamp is evidence of permanent residence, which includes permission to work. Employers follow the official I-9 rules on acceptable documents and receipts, published on uscis.gov in I-9 Central.

What to show a new employer

Show your passport with the stamp, or the stamped Form I-94 with photo. Point the employer to the I-9 Central list if they are unsure. Both appear among the Form I-9 List A documents, and the employer records the stamp's expiration date.

When the stamp expires during a job

Your employer may ask you to show updated proof when temporary evidence expires. If it has not arrived, ask USCIS for a new stamp before the old date passes. Give your employer a copy of the new stamp promptly.

Other Places the Stamp Can Help

Some state agencies, banks and benefit offices accept a temporary I-551 when a card is missing. Rules differ by agency. Ask the agency before you go whether it accepts a passport stamp or stamped Form I-94. Bring your passport, receipt notices and a copy of the approval notice in case the clerk asks for more.

Driver's licenses and state IDs

State motor vehicle offices set their own document lists. Check your state's rules before your visit. Many offices verify status through the federal SAVE system, which can take extra days for new residents. Bring your stamped passport or I-94, the approval notice and proof of address.

Social Security and other benefits

The Social Security Administration and benefit agencies verify immigration documents through their own systems. Bring the stamped document and any receipt notices. If an office rejects the stamp, ask for the reason in writing and contact USCIS.

The Immigrant Visa as Temporary I-551 Evidence

People who immigrate from abroad do not need to ask for an ADIT stamp. The immigrant visa placed in their passport, once a CBP officer admits them, serves as temporary I-551 evidence until the card arrives. The visa text states this and gives an end date.

What happens at the border

The CBP officer reviews your visa and sealed documents, admits you as a resident and endorses your passport. Keep the passport safe, since it is your proof until the card comes.

If the card does not arrive

If your card has not arrived and the visa's proof period is ending, call the Contact Center and ask for an ADIT stamp. Our form i-551 card number guide shows what to look for once the card is in hand.

Paying the USCIS Immigrant Fee Before You Travel

New immigrants must pay the USCIS Immigrant Fee of $235 so USCIS can produce the Form I-551 card. USCIS says to pay it online, ideally after you receive your immigrant visa and before you travel. Without this payment the card is not produced.

Paying after arrival

If you forgot to pay before travel, pay as soon as possible after you arrive. A late payment can hold up card production. Keep the payment confirmation with your passport.

Who Is Exempt From the USCIS Immigrant Fee?

USCIS lists some groups that pay nothing, including orphan and Hague adoptees, Iraqi and Afghan special immigrants, returning residents on SB-1 visas, and K nonimmigrants. Fiancé(e)s on a K-1 visa get a card later, through Form I-485 in the U.S.

What Does the Form I-551 Green Card Look Like?

The Form I-551 green card is a plastic card with your photo, name, birth details, category, USCIS# (your A-Number), a "Resident Since" date and an expiration date. Your A-Number is the 'USCIS#' printed on the front of green cards issued after May 10, 2010. The back has a machine-readable strip. Check every field against your passport the day the card arrives, and request a correction quickly if anything is wrong.

The front of the card

Check every field on the front as soon as the card arrives: spelling of your name, birth date, category and the two dates. A wrong detail caused by USCIS can be fixed through Form I-90, sometimes at no fee. Keep a copy of the front before you carry it.

The back of the card

The back holds machine-readable lines read by border systems. Do not laminate, punch or bend the card. A damaged card that cannot be read may need replacing with Form I-90.

Where Is the I-551 Number?

The I-551 number is not one fixed number. People use the phrase for the USCIS# (your A-Number) on the front of the card, the card's own number, or a case receipt number. Ask the person which number they need before you share it.

The USCIS# on the front

Your A-Number is the 'USCIS#' printed on the front of green cards issued after May 10, 2010. This is the number most forms mean when they ask for your A-Number. Our alien registration number guide explains its formats on older and newer cards.

The card number

The card number identifies that specific card. A replacement card gets a new number. Our guide to the green card number shows where it prints and when employers or agencies ask for it.

I-551 Number vs A-Number vs Receipt Number

These three numbers do different jobs. The A-Number follows you for life. The card number changes with each new card. A receipt number tracks one filing. Mixing them up makes forms and searches fail. Use the A-Number on forms that ask for it.

Comparison table

The table shows where each number appears and when you need it. The A-Number is the one to memorize; the other two change with each card or filing.

Which number to use for case status

Case Status Online only accepts a receipt number. The format is 3 letters + 10 digits (13 characters), e.g. EAC2512345678; leave out dashes. Your A-Number and card number will not work in the tool.

How Long Is a Form I-551 Green Card Valid?

Most green cards are valid for 10 years; conditional green cards for 2 years. The expiration date on a Form I-551 card is not the end of your status. Permanent residence continues after the card expires, but you need valid proof, so renew before the date passes.

Ten-year and two-year cards

A 10-year card is renewed with Form I-90. A 2-year conditional card cannot be renewed with Form I-90. Conditional residents file Form I-751 to remove conditions, as our i 751 removal of conditions guide explains.

Older cards with no expiration date

Some very old green cards have no expiration date. They may still prove status, but many employers and agencies are unfamiliar with them. Replacing such a card with Form I-90 avoids repeated questions at work and at the border.

I-551 Stamp With a Pending Form I-90

If you filed Form I-90 to renew or replace your card, your receipt notice may be all the proof you need. I-90 receipt notice + expired card = proof of status for 36 months from the card's expiration date. A stamp helps when the card is lost, not just expired, or when the extension does not fit your situation.

When the receipt is not enough

A receipt only extends an expired card. If your card was lost or stolen, you have nothing to pair it with. In that case, ask USCIS for temporary proof. Our green card renewal guide covers the I-90 steps in full.

Fee for the underlying filing

As of October 2026, the Form I-90 fee is $465 (paper) / $415 (online). We found no separate line for the ADIT stamp in the G-1055 fee schedule; any cost comes from the case behind it.

I-551 Stamp With a Pending Form I-751

Conditional residents who filed Form I-751 usually rely on the receipt notice. I-751 receipt notice extends conditional status and work authorization for 48 months. Ask for a stamp only if the extension has run out, the card is lost, or you need proof the receipt cannot provide.

If the 48 months have passed

Long-pending I-751 cases can outlast the receipt extension. If yours has, call the Contact Center before your next trip or job change and ask for temporary evidence. Bring the receipt notice and your 2-year card to any appointment.

I-751 fee reminder

As of October 2026, the Form I-751 fee is $750 (paper) / $700 (online). The fee covers the petition, not the stamp. You do not pay anything extra to get the temporary proof.

I-551 Stamp With a Pending N-400

Applying for citizenship does not extend your green card. If your card expires while Form N-400 is pending, you still need valid proof of residence for travel or work. Many applicants renew with Form I-90 or ask for a stamp while they wait.

Why the N-400 receipt is not proof

The N-400 receipt shows you applied for citizenship. It does not say your card is extended. Employers and border officers may not accept it as proof of residence on its own.

Planning around the oath

You give up your green card at the oath ceremony. If the oath is close, a short-term stamp may make more sense than a full renewal. Our citizenship application guide explains timing and the N-400 fee of $760 (paper) / $710 (online); reduced fee $380 (paper only) if household income is at or below 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.

I-551 Stamp After Your Green Card Is Approved

Once USCIS approves your green card case, you are a permanent resident, even before the card arrives. If you urgently need proof, such as for a trip, ask for an ADIT stamp. Bring the approval notice to any appointment as evidence.

Watching the card status

Check your case online for card updates. "New Card Is Being Produced" means printing has started. Our page on new card is being produced explains what usually follows. Note the date of each change.

Is an Approval Notice Enough Without a Stamp?

Not always. The approval notice is a Form I-797 document. I-797C = Notice of Action (receipt, rejection, transfer, appointment, re-open); not proof of status by itself. An approval notice is helpful evidence, but some offices and borders want a stamp or card. Ask in advance which one they accept.

Card Status Sequence: From Approval to Card in Hand

A green card usually moves through approval, production and mailing. The table below shows what each step means for your proof of status, which is the gap the I-551 stamp is designed to fill. Use the stamp only where a real gap exists.

Status, meaning and what to do

Match your current status to a row to see whether a stamp would help. In short, a stamp is most useful between approval and delivery.

If the card never arrives

Our card was mailed page explains how to track delivery. If the card is lost in the mail, you may need to file Form I-90, and a stamp can cover you meanwhile.

Does an I-551 Stamp Cost Anything?

We found no fee line for the ADIT stamp on the October 2026 G-1055 fee schedule. Costs come from the filing behind it, such as Form I-90 at $465 (paper) / $415 (online). Be wary of anyone who charges you to "get" a stamp.

Costs that may apply

The stamp itself has no USCIS fee; these amounts belong to the filings that often go with it. Pay the filing fee, not a separate stamp charge.

Where to compare fees

Our green card renewal fee guide explains discounts and no-fee cases for Form I-90. It shows paper and online amounts side by side, explains who qualifies for a fee waiver, and points to the official calculator so you can confirm the total before you pay anything.

How Long Does It Take to Get an ADIT Stamp?

USCIS does not publish a standard wait for the stamp. Mail delivery depends on field office review and shipping. Office appointments depend on local availability. Urgent cases are usually seen faster, so explain any deadline when you call. Ask early.

Speeding up an urgent request

Give the agent your exact travel or job date. Ask whether an emergency appointment is possible. If the first answer does not work, call again. Keep notes of each call, including the date and the agent's reference.

Asking USCIS for an expedite

You can also ask about an expedite when a delay would cause real harm, such as a lost job or a family emergency abroad. Our expedite request guide explains when USCIS speeds up a case.

What If USCIS Will Not Give You a Stamp?

USCIS decides whether to issue a stamp. If an agent or officer refuses, ask for the reason and what evidence would change the answer. Sometimes the receipt notice already proves status, so a stamp is not needed. Keep the receipt with your passport.

Asking for a second look

Call the Contact Center again and ask for a higher-level review, or request an appointment in person. Bring stronger proof of need. A ticket, job offer letter or medical letter makes the need concrete.

Getting outside help

If USCIS still refuses and the need is urgent, contact the USCIS Ombudsman or your congressional office. An immigration attorney can also help if your status itself is in question.

Common Problems With I-551 Stamps

The most common problems are a wrong name or date on the stamp, a stamp in a passport that is about to expire, and a stamp that is hard to read. Check the stamp before you leave. Wrong details should be fixed at once.

Errors on the stamp

If your name or another detail is wrong, ask the officer to correct it on the spot. If you notice later, call the Contact Center and ask how to fix it. Do not change the stamp yourself.

A stamp that is hard to read

Faded ink or a smudged handwritten date can cause trouble at a border or HR office. Ask the officer to redo it before you leave. If you notice later, call the Contact Center as you would for an error.

Stamp in an expiring passport

A stamp is only usable with its passport. If your passport will expire before the stamp, renew the passport first, if possible, and ask for the stamp in the new one. Otherwise carry both passports when you travel.

Lost Your Passport With the Stamp?

If you lose the passport that holds your stamp, you lose the stamp too. Report the loss to the police and to your country's embassy or consulate for a new passport. Then call USCIS to ask for a new stamp in the new passport.

Steps to take right away

1. Report the loss or theft to local police and keep the report.
2. Apply for a replacement passport from your home country.
3. Call the USCIS Contact Center to request new temporary proof.
4. If your card is also lost, file Form I-90.

Can You Get an I-551 Stamp Online?

No. You can start the process online by requesting an appointment, or by phone through the Contact Center. The stamp is either mailed to you on a Form I-94 or placed by an officer in person. Nothing is issued over the internet.

Beware of online "stamp services"

No private website can issue an ADIT stamp. Sites that promise to "get your stamp online" for a fee are not USCIS. The only routes are the Contact Center and a USCIS appointment, and there is no fee for the stamp.

Is an I-551 Stamp Proof of Permanent Residence?

Yes. A valid, unexpired I-551 stamp is official temporary evidence that you are a permanent resident. It stops working as proof once its expiration date passes, even though your status continues. Request a new stamp or the card before that happens, so you can keep proving your status at work and at the border.

How officials read the stamp

Border officers, employers and agencies look for your identity details, a readable expiration date and clear USCIS markings. If anything looks missing or wrong, ask USCIS to fix the stamp before you rely on it.

How Can You Spot a Fake Stamp or Scam?

Real stamps come only from USCIS officers, either by mail on a Form I-94 or in person. Anyone who sells a stamp, asks you to mail your passport to a private address, or charges to "speed up" a stamp is running a scam.

Red flags

• Asks for payment to issue a stamp
• Uses a website or email that is not uscis.gov
• Asks you to mail your passport to a private address
• Promises a stamp without contacting USCIS

How to report a stamp scam

Keep the website address, emails and any payment receipts. Then use the scam-reporting steps on uscis.gov, which point to the Federal Trade Commission. If you already mailed your passport somewhere, report it lost and start a replacement.

If X, Do Y: I-551 Stamp Decision Table

Use this table to decide your next move. Find the row that matches your card and filings. If none fits, call the Contact Center and describe your case. Keep your A-Number and passport handy when you do, and note any deadline such as a flight or job start date.

I-551 stamp decision table

Each row pairs a situation with one action. If more than one row fits, handle the one with the closest travel or work date first.

When the table does not fit

Unusual cases, such as a status problem or a past removal order, need personal advice. Talk to an attorney before you travel. Do not rely on a stamp alone to reenter the U.S. after a long trip.

A Checklist for Requesting an ADIT Stamp

This checklist covers what you need before, during and after a stamp request. Work through it in order: prepare your numbers and reason, attend the appointment or answer the call, then check the stamp carefully before you leave. A mistake found at the office is far easier to fix than one found at the airport.

Before you call

• A-Number and any receipt numbers ready
• Current mailing address updated with USCIS
• Reason for the request and any deadline
• Valid passport, or plan for a Form I-94 stamp

Having these ready shortens the call.

After you receive the stamp

• Name and other details are correct
• Expiration date is readable
• Copy of the stamp page saved
• Reminder set for before the stamp expires

If anything is wrong, raise it with the officer before you leave the office.

When Should You Talk to an Immigration Attorney?

See an attorney or DOJ-accredited representative if USCIS refuses a stamp and you have an urgent trip, if you have been abroad for a long time, if your status may be in question, or if you have a criminal record.

Signs your case needs advice

A past removal order, a long absence or an arrest can affect how a border officer treats you. A stamp proves status but does not protect you from these problems.

Finding an accredited representative

The Justice Department keeps a list of recognized organizations and accredited representatives who can give low-cost help. Check that anyone advising you is a licensed attorney or on that list; notarios and visa consultants cannot represent you.

From I-551 Card to Citizenship and Family Petitions

Your Form I-551 card is also the starting point for other benefits. Permanent residents can apply for citizenship and sponsor certain relatives. For citizenship timing: You can file the N-400 up to 90 days before you reach 5 years (or 3 years if married to a U.S. citizen) as a permanent resident. Residents can also petition for a spouse or unmarried children with Form I-130.

Applying for citizenship

You can file the N-400 up to 90 days before you reach 5 years (or 3 years if married to a U.S. citizen) as a permanent resident. The "Resident Since" date on your card is the date to count from.

Sponsoring relatives

Permanent residents can file an i 130 family petition for a spouse or unmarried children. Most sponsors also sign an affidavit of support. Our uscis forms hub explains how these filings fit together.

Frequently Asked Questions

casestatuscompass.com is an independent publication and is not affiliated with USCIS or any government agency. This page is general information, not legal advice. For denials, court or asylum matters, consult an immigration attorney or a DOJ-accredited representative.