Deadlines & Filing
Learn how to get an I-551 stamp, also called an ADIT stamp, when you need temporary proof of lawful permanent resident status.
If you are wondering, "how can I get an I-551 stamp?", also called an ADIT stamp, the first step is to determine whether you actually need one. In many cases, an expired Green Card combined with a valid USCIS extension notice already provides temporary evidence of permanent resident status. If you do not have usable proof, you can request an I-551 stamp through USCIS.
The current USCIS appointment system specifically allows permanent residents in the United States to request an ADIT Stamp appointment online. USCIS may also determine that your temporary evidence can be issued without an in-person visit.
This guide explains how to get an I-551 stamp, when you need one, what documents to prepare, what happens after you request it, and what to do if your Green Card or extension notice has already expired.
An I-551 stamp is temporary evidence of lawful permanent resident status. It is commonly called an ADIT stamp, which stands for Alien Documentation, Identification, and Telecommunication.
USCIS may place the temporary I-551 evidence in an unexpired foreign passport. In appropriate circumstances, USCIS can also issue temporary evidence on Form I-94. USCIS policy recognizes the ADIT stamp as temporary evidence of permanent resident status when a lawful permanent resident does not have usable physical proof of that status.
The important distinction is this:
An I-551 stamp proves an existing permanent resident status. It does not create or grant permanent resident status.
If you are already a lawful permanent resident but cannot show your status with your Green Card or another valid document, the stamp can provide temporary evidence while the underlying problem is resolved.
Depending on the specific document and validity period issued by USCIS, temporary I-551 evidence can help you:
USCIS policy specifically recognizes temporary evidence such as an ADIT stamp for situations involving employment, travel, and other purposes requiring proof of lawful permanent resident status.
This is the step many Green Card holders miss.
An expired Green Card does not automatically mean you need an I-551 stamp.
Depending on the immigration application you filed and the notice USCIS issued, your existing documents may already extend your evidence of permanent resident status.
For example, USCIS has procedures under which certain receipt notices, when presented with an expired Permanent Resident Card, serve as temporary evidence of status and employment authorization.
Before requesting an ADIT stamp, check:
If your existing Green Card and USCIS notice already provide sufficient evidence, requesting an I-551 stamp may be unnecessary.
Suppose your Green Card expired, but you filed a qualifying application and received a USCIS receipt notice that extends the validity of your documentation.
You may be able to use the expired Green Card together with the applicable USCIS notice instead of immediately requesting an ADIT stamp.
The key question is not simply:
"Is my Green Card expired?"
The better question is:
"Do I currently have another USCIS-issued document that extends or otherwise proves my permanent resident status?"
That distinction can save you an unnecessary appointment.
There is no single situation that automatically guarantees an ADIT stamp. USCIS evaluates the circumstances and determines whether temporary evidence is appropriate.
Common situations include the following.
If your physical Green Card is missing, you may need temporary evidence of your status while you obtain a replacement.
A replacement Green Card generally involves Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card. If you need proof of status before receiving the replacement card, USCIS may issue temporary evidence depending on your circumstances.
If the card was stolen, keep any police report or other documentation available. It can help explain the circumstances of the missing card if USCIS asks for additional information.
A severely damaged Green Card may no longer be usable as reliable evidence of your status.
If you have the damaged card, keep it. Do not throw it away before determining what replacement or temporary-documentation process applies to you.
This is one of the most important situations to understand.
An expired card may still be usable with an applicable USCIS extension notice. But once the relevant extension period has ended and the underlying application remains pending, you may need additional temporary evidence.
USCIS specifically recognizes that a lawful permanent resident with a pending Form I-90 whose Green Card and extension notice have expired may request documentation of status for travel, employment, or other purposes.
Permanent residents are authorized to work in the United States. The practical problem is proving that authorization when your usual Green Card is unavailable.
An I-551 stamp or other qualifying temporary I-551 evidence can provide documentation of permanent resident status and employment authorization. USCIS recognizes foreign passports containing an I-551 stamp as a document establishing identity and employment authorization for Form I-9 purposes.
Travel creates a different level of urgency.
If your physical Green Card is unavailable, you should determine what documentation you will have when you leave the United States and when you seek admission back into the country.
An ADIT stamp can serve as temporary evidence of permanent resident status, but having an I-551 stamp does not eliminate every possible immigration or admission issue.
If you have a complicated immigration history, a pending removal matter, criminal issues, or another status problem, obtain individualized legal advice before traveling.
A delayed card does not automatically mean you need an ADIT stamp.
First check your USCIS case status and any temporary evidence already issued to you. USCIS also provides procedures for reporting certain non-delivery problems.
If you still lack usable evidence of permanent resident status, you can ask USCIS about temporary evidence.
The current process is different from the old assumption that you simply walk into a USCIS field office.
For applicants inside the United States, USCIS currently provides an online appointment-request system that specifically lists ADIT Stamp as an appointment type. If the online system does not resolve your situation, USCIS says you can contact the USCIS Contact Center.
Here is the practical process.
Before contacting USCIS, collect:
Then determine whether an existing extension notice already covers you.
This is especially important for people with pending immigration applications because the correct evidence depends on the particular application and notice.
USCIS will need to understand why you are requesting temporary proof.
Your reason might be:
Be specific.
Instead of saying:
"I need an I-551 stamp."
Explain:
"My Green Card is expired, my pending application is still being processed, and the temporary extension period shown on my USCIS notice has ended. I need current evidence of my permanent resident status for employment."
That gives USCIS a much clearer picture of the problem.
USCIS currently provides an online appointment system where people inside the United States can request an appointment for an ADIT Stamp.
You can use the official USCIS appointment system:
The appointment system asks for information needed to process your request.
Have your immigration information available before starting the request.
USCIS states that if its online tools do not provide the assistance you need, you can call the USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283. For TTY, USCIS lists 800-767-1833.
USCIS also warns that appointments are free. You should not pay someone simply to sell you a USCIS appointment.
This is an important part of the process that many online guides oversimplify.
You should not assume that every person requesting an I-551 stamp will receive an ink stamp in a passport at a field office.
USCIS policy allows temporary evidence to be issued in different formats. An ADIT stamp may be placed in an unexpired passport or on Form I-94, depending on the circumstances and USCIS's determination.
In other words, the outcome may be:
Follow the instructions USCIS gives you rather than relying on an old appointment procedure found in a forum or outdated article.
Sometimes, yes.
USCIS can issue temporary evidence in a form other than an in-person passport stamp. The agency's policy recognizes Form I-94 with ADIT evidence as one possible format.
That means you should not automatically assume that the only solution is traveling to a field office.
The current USCIS appointment system still provides an ADIT Stamp appointment option, but the exact method USCIS uses depends on your situation.
This is one area where older articles can be misleading because USCIS procedures have changed over time.
USCIS may request information or documentation that allows the agency to verify your identity and permanent resident status.
Prepare a complete file containing:
Depending on your situation, also prepare:
Not every applicant will need every document listed above. The goal is to arrive prepared with the records that explain who you are, your current immigration status, the underlying case, and why you need temporary evidence.
If USCIS requires an in-person appointment, an officer will review your request.
The officer may verify:
USCIS policy states that the agency determines whether an ADIT stamp should be issued and has discretion over its validity period based on the permanent resident's circumstances.
If an officer places the evidence in your passport, USCIS policy requires the passport to be unexpired. Temporary evidence may also be placed on Form I-94.
There is no single validity period that applies to every I-551 stamp.
USCIS determines the validity period based on the circumstances of the individual request.
This is important because many websites state that an ADIT stamp is always valid for exactly six months or exactly one year.
That is too simplistic.
Your temporary evidence will show the period during which it is valid. Use the actual expiration date printed on the document rather than relying on a general timeframe from an online article.
If your underlying case remains unresolved and your temporary evidence is approaching expiration, contact USCIS again before you have an urgent need for proof.
There is generally no separate USCIS filing fee simply for requesting temporary ADIT evidence.
However, the immigration application that created the need for the temporary evidence may have its own filing fee.
For example, replacing a Green Card and requesting temporary evidence are separate issues. The fee, if any, relates to the underlying immigration filing rather than turning the ADIT stamp into a separate Green Card application.
Always check the current USCIS fee information for the underlying form before filing.
A qualifying I-551 stamp can serve as evidence of employment authorization for a lawful permanent resident.
USCIS identifies an unexpired foreign passport containing an I-551 stamp as a document that establishes both identity and employment authorization for Form I-9 purposes. USCIS also recognizes certain temporary I-551 formats, including qualifying evidence issued on Form I-94.
This matters if your employer's HR department asks why your physical Green Card is unavailable.
Give the employer the appropriate qualifying document and allow the employer to follow the normal Form I-9 process.
Do not tell an employer that an I-551 stamp is simply an "extension of the Green Card" without showing the actual document.
The employer needs to examine the specific acceptable document presented under the Form I-9 rules.
An I-551 stamp can provide temporary evidence of lawful permanent resident status for travel purposes, but travel decisions should be based on the specific document you hold and your individual immigration circumstances.
Before leaving the United States, check:
A valid temporary I-551 document does not guarantee admission in every possible circumstance. U.S. Customs and Border Protection makes admission decisions at the port of entry.
If your trip is optional and your immigration situation is complicated, do not wait until the airport to discover that your documentation creates a problem.
Review your documents before departure.
If your case involves removal proceedings, a criminal issue, a prior immigration violation, a denied application, or another unusual circumstance, obtain individualized legal advice before traveling.
Suppose you have a flight next week and realize your Green Card is missing.
Do not assume that buying the ticket is enough to justify an emergency appointment.
Instead:
The earlier you identify the problem, the more options you have to resolve it.
This is one of the most common sources of confusion.
An expired Green Card is not necessarily the same thing as having no proof of permanent residence.
Depending on the form you filed and the notice you received, USCIS may provide an automatic extension of the Green Card's validity for a specified period. USCIS policy explains that certain receipt notices, when combined with the expired Permanent Resident Card, can serve as evidence of lawful permanent resident status and employment authorization.
Therefore, do not discard your expired Green Card after receiving a USCIS receipt notice.
Keep the expired card and the applicable USCIS notice together.
If you are unsure whether your notice still covers you, check the exact language and dates on the notice or obtain professional advice.
Do not wait until the last day.
Review your immigration case and determine whether your permanent resident card has been issued or whether you still need temporary evidence.
If you still lack usable proof of status, contact USCIS and explain that your temporary evidence is approaching expiration.
Bring or have available:
USCIS decides whether additional temporary evidence is appropriate and what validity period applies.
This can happen when another document already provides sufficient evidence of your status.
For example, you may have:
The correct response is not necessarily to insist on a stamp.
Instead, ask USCIS to clarify what document you should use as current evidence of your lawful permanent resident status.
That answer may solve the underlying problem without another appointment.
An expired card may be accompanied by a USCIS notice that extends its evidentiary validity.
Check your documents first.
Some older immigration articles still describe procedures that have changed.
USCIS currently provides an online appointment system that lists ADIT Stamp as an appointment type. If the online tools do not meet your needs, USCIS directs applicants to the Contact Center.
An urgent flight does not guarantee immediate temporary documentation.
If travel matters, address the documentation problem well before your departure date.
USCIS policy states that an ADIT stamp may be placed in an unexpired passport.
Check your passport before requesting the stamp.
If you have an expired Green Card that is being used with a valid USCIS extension notice, keep both documents together.
The documents can work together as evidence.
An ADIT stamp is evidence of an existing lawful permanent resident status.
It does not independently grant permanent residence.
Do not rely on statements such as "I-551 stamps always last one year."
USCIS determines the validity period based on the circumstances. Read the date on your actual temporary evidence.
Document | What it does | Temporary? | Where you may see it |
|---|---|---|---|
Green Card (Form I-551) | Primary physical evidence of permanent resident status | No, although the card itself expires | Physical card |
I-551 / ADIT stamp | Temporary evidence of existing permanent resident status | Yes | Passport or Form I-94 |
USCIS extension notice | May extend the evidentiary validity of an expiring Green Card for a specified period in qualifying cases | Yes | Form I-797 notice |
Immigrant visa with temporary I-551 notation | Temporary evidence of permanent residence for newly admitted immigrants | Yes | Foreign passport |
The important point is that these documents are not interchangeable in every circumstance. The exact document, wording, dates, and underlying immigration case matter.
Use this checklist before contacting USCIS.
Yes: You may not need an I-551 stamp.
No: Continue.
Yes: Check the notice carefully. You may already have temporary evidence of status.
No: Continue.
Yes: Check its expiration date and permitted use.
No: Continue.
If you need proof for employment, travel, government documentation, or another legitimate purpose, contact USCIS about temporary evidence.
If your case involves removal proceedings, criminal history, previous immigration violations, a denied application, or another unusual issue, consider obtaining individualized immigration advice before traveling or making decisions based on the temporary document.
You can make the process easier by preparing your information before starting the request.
Have these details available:
This allows you to explain the problem clearly rather than trying to reconstruct your immigration history during the request.
Many straightforward temporary-documentation requests can be handled directly with USCIS.
Legal help becomes more valuable when the question is no longer simply "How do I get the stamp?" but instead:
"What does my current immigration documentation actually mean, and is it safe for me to work or travel?"
Consider speaking with an immigration lawyer if:
An attorney cannot guarantee that USCIS will issue an I-551 stamp. The purpose of legal assistance is to identify the immigration issue, explain the available options, and help you avoid making a decision based on incorrect assumptions.
These are two separate problems.
Green Card replacement addresses the underlying physical card problem.
I-551 temporary evidence addresses the immediate need to prove your existing permanent resident status while you do not have usable physical evidence.
For example:
Maria loses her Green Card two weeks before an international trip.
Her replacement application and her immediate need for proof of status are related, but they are not the same issue.
She may need to address the replacement of the physical card while also determining whether USCIS should provide temporary evidence for the upcoming travel.
That distinction is useful because filing for a replacement does not automatically mean that every practical documentation problem disappears immediately.
If you are a lawful permanent resident who needs temporary evidence of status, you can request an ADIT Stamp appointment through the USCIS appointment system. USCIS may determine that temporary evidence can be issued in another format, including Form I-94. If the online system does not resolve your situation, USCIS directs applicants to contact the USCIS Contact Center.
Yes. USCIS's current appointment system allows people inside the United States to request an appointment for an ADIT Stamp. An online request does not necessarily mean you will receive an in-person passport stamp because USCIS determines the appropriate method for providing temporary evidence.
Possibly. USCIS can provide temporary evidence in other formats, including Form I-94 in appropriate circumstances. Whether you need an in-person appointment depends on USCIS's assessment of your situation.
An ADIT stamp may be placed in an unexpired foreign passport. USCIS may also issue temporary evidence on Form I-94.
There is no universal validity period. USCIS determines the validity period based on the individual circumstances. Check the expiration date shown on your temporary evidence rather than relying on a general timeframe.
No. The Green Card is the physical Permanent Resident Card, while the I-551 or ADIT stamp is temporary evidence of existing lawful permanent resident status.
A qualifying I-551 stamp can establish identity and employment authorization for Form I-9 purposes. USCIS lists an unexpired foreign passport containing an I-551 stamp as an acceptable List A document.
An I-551 stamp is temporary evidence of permanent resident status and may support international travel and return to the United States. However, the specific document, expiration date, underlying case, and immigration history matter. If your case has complications, obtain individualized advice before traveling.
You may not need an I-551 stamp. In qualifying situations, the expired Green Card together with the applicable USCIS receipt notice can provide temporary evidence of status and employment authorization. Check the exact language and validity period on your notice.
If your Green Card is lost, you should address the replacement process and determine whether you need temporary evidence before the replacement card arrives. USCIS may issue an ADIT stamp or another form of temporary evidence depending on your circumstances.
A qualifying I-551 stamp in an unexpired foreign passport can be used as a List A document for Form I-9 purposes. Employers should follow the federal Form I-9 requirements when reviewing the document.
Contact USCIS before the temporary evidence expires and explain that you still need proof of permanent resident status. USCIS will determine whether additional temporary evidence is appropriate and what validity period should apply.
USCIS does not generally charge a separate fee simply for temporary ADIT evidence. However, an underlying application such as a Green Card replacement may have its own filing fee. Always verify current USCIS fees before filing.
If you are asking "How can I get an I-551 stamp?", start by checking whether you already have valid evidence of permanent resident status.
If you do not, use the current USCIS appointment system to request an ADIT Stamp appointment or contact USCIS when the online tools do not resolve your situation. USCIS may issue temporary evidence in your passport, on Form I-94, or through another appropriate process.
The most important steps are:
An I-551 stamp is a tool for proving an existing permanent resident status. It is not a substitute for understanding your underlying immigration case. When your documentation, application history, or travel plans are complicated, getting the facts right before acting can prevent a much bigger problem later.
If you need more guidance after reading this article, explore Jurnza’s legal articles and guides for related topics, or review the relevant practice areas to better understand the type of legal help that may apply to your situation. You can also use Jurnza’s free legal resources for helpful calculators, document generators, and other educational tools. For official information and current requirements, it is also a good idea to verify important legal details with the appropriate government agency or court in your jurisdiction.
This article provides general legal information and is not legal advice. USCIS procedures and immigration policies can change. For advice about your specific immigration history, documentation, or travel plans, consult a qualified U.S. immigration attorney.
Written by
FranklyFrankly is a legal researcher and content writer at Jurnza, specializing in legal services, legal tools, legal guides, and law-related educational content. Frankly researches topics including business law, family law, immigration law, personal injury law, tax law, employment law, and real estate law to create accurate, easy-to-understand, and up-to-date resources that help readers make informed legal decisions.
