Chapter 3 - Reissuance of Secure Identity Documents

A. General

Benefit requestors may file to renew their USCIS-issued secure identity documents that have expired or replace ones that have been lost, stolen, mutilated, or destroyed, or that contain an error. 

The following table provides general information on how to request that USCIS reissue certain secure identity documents.

B. Reissuing Non-Deliverable Secure Identity Documents

USCIS receives a number of secure identity documents returned by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) after attempting delivery. Reasons for return range from USPS error (such as misdirected mail or correct address not recognized) to requestor error (such as an untimely address change). Benefit requestors who believe their secure identity documents have been returned to USCIS as non-deliverable may contact the USCIS Contact Center. In some instances, USCIS may be able to attempt a second delivery to the original address. 

1. Background

Historically, the management of secure identity documents, including storage, remailing, and destruction, occurred at multiple sites across USCIS with each location having a separate staff performing Post Office Non-Deliverables (PONDS) functions in accordance with local policies. In 2016, USCIS undertook an initiative to reduce the handling of secure identity documents, more clearly define the scope of PONDS duties, and create a more consistent and manageable process. The Office of Intake and Document Production (OIDP) established a centralized PONDS Unit at the Lee’s Summit Production Facility in June 2017, which now oversees all PONDS operations.

Between June 2017 and October 2017, PONDS data showed 95 percent of secure identity documents were successfully re-mailed to requestors within 60 business days of being returned to USCIS. For documents that were unsuccessfully re-mailed, USCIS had previously kept documents for 365 calendar days. In 2018, USCIS began retaining non-deliverable secure identity documents returned to USCIS for 60 business days, or 12 weeks, before destroying them.^[10]

Before secure identity documents are destroyed, PONDS Unit staff must search all relevant data systems to see if a new address exists. If a new address exists, USCIS re-mails the card to the new address. If no new address exists, USCIS destroys the card and updates its status in applicable systems as destroyed, in accordance with PONDS procedures.

2. Reissuing Secure Identity Documents

In certain circumstances, USCIS reissues secure identity documents if the original identity document was not successfully delivered to the requestor and has been subsequently destroyed. Depending on the scenario, USCIS may require the requestor to properly file a new form with fee for USCIS to reissue the secure identity document.

New Application and Fees Not Required

Generally, if USCIS-issued secure identity documents were non-deliverable due to USPS errors, USCIS may reissue the secure identity document without requiring a new application and fee.

However, lawful permanent residents and conditional permanent residents must always file Form I-90 to request a replacement PRC.^[11] In some cases, USCIS would not require a new fee.^[12]

The table below provides common (but not comprehensive) non-delivery scenarios involving USPS errors.

Generally, if USCIS-issued secure identity documents were non-deliverable due to USCIS or certain other errors, USCIS may reissue the secure identity document without requiring a new application and fee. The table below provides common (but not comprehensive) non-delivery scenarios involving USCIS and other errors.

New Application and Fees Required

Generally, if USCIS-issued secure identity documents were non-deliverable due to requestor error, USCIS reissues the secure identity document only upon receiving a new application and fee.^[16] The table below provides common (but not comprehensive) non-delivery scenarios involving requestor errors.

Footnotes

[^ 1] See Fee Schedule (Form G-1055).

[^ 2] See 8 CFR 264.5. See 8 CFR 103.7. There are certain conditions when USCIS may issue an Alien Documentation, Identification and Telecommunications (ADIT) stamp in place of a new Permanent Resident Card (PRC). One such condition may be applying for naturalization at least 6 months before the expiration of the PRC. Lawful permanent residents in this circumstance may contact the USCIS Contact Center for more information on how to obtain an ADIT stamp instead of filing Form I-90.

[^ 3] The transportation letter does not replace the PRC. LPRs must still complete and properly file Form I-90 to obtain a replacement PRC.

[^ 4] For more information on when a new Form I-765 and fee is required, see the Employment Authorization Document webpage.

[^ 5] See Fee Schedule (Form G-1055).

[^ 6] See Fee Schedule (Form G-1055).

[^ 7] The transportation letter does not replace the reentry permit. LPRs must complete and properly file Form I-131 upon reentry into the United States to obtain a replacement reentry permit.

[^ 8] In general, if a requestor applies for advance parole while in the United States, and departs the United States before the advance parole document is issued, the requestor may be found inadmissible to the United States upon return, or even if admitted, may be found to have abandoned his or her application. 

[^ 9] For more information, see Volume 12, Citizenship and Naturalization, Part K, Certificates of Citizenship and Naturalization, Chapter 4, Application for Replacement of Naturalization/Citizenship Document [12 USCIS-PM K.4].

[^ 10] An economic analysis found that retention of non-deliverable secure identity documents for longer than 60 days costs USCIS more than production of a new identity document.

[^ 11] See 8 CFR 264.5. 

[^ 12] For additional information on required fees, see Fee Schedule (Form G-1055). See Volume 1, General Policies and Procedures, Part H, Emergencies or Unforeseen Circumstances, Chapter 2, Emergencies or Unforeseen Circumstances-Related Flexibilities [1 USCIS-PM H.2].

[^ 13] Applicants seeking a replacement of a PRC must always file Form I-90 to request a replacement card. See 8 CFR 264.5. However, in some cases, such as the scenarios described in the table, USCIS would not require a new fee. See Fee Schedule (Form G-1055).

[^ 14] For more information, see Find Missing Mail. 

[^ 15] Applicants seeking a replacement of a PRC must always properly file Form I-90 to request a replacement card. See 8 CFR 264.5. However, in some cases, such as the scenarios described in the table, USCIS would not require a new fee. See Fee Schedule (Form G-1055).

[^ 16] Unless the requestor qualifies for a fee exemption or fee waiver. See Fee Schedule (Form G-1055). See Request for Fee Waiver (Form I-912).