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Petitioner's Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)

Copy of the front and back of the petitioning LPR's Permanent Resident Card. Required when the petitioner is a lawful permanent resident rather than a U.S. citizen.

Most applicants and many family members tied to the case.

Editorially reviewed:

This date reflects the page copy review, not a live government update.

Category: Identity and status documentsUse case: Identity and civil recordsScope: Usually stable

What this is

Copy of the front and back of the petitioning LPR's Permanent Resident Card. Required when the petitioner is a lawful permanent resident rather than a U.S. citizen.

Usually stable: The document itself is durable, but filing format still needs a stage check.

Who usually needs it

Most applicants and many family members tied to the case.

When it usually appears

Usually during early document collection, filing prep, NVC upload, or interview identity checks.

What changes by process, path, or post

What counts, what format is acceptable, and whether you need originals, certified copies, or translations can change by country, process, or post.

Common format or evidence traps

  • Using a record type that looks similar but is not the civil version the stage expects.
  • Treating an uploaded copy as a permanent substitute for the original record.

Civil documents · Certified copy · Certified translation

Examples from current exact-support flows

Coverage posture: Current public exact-support flows attach only one direct example to this document. Treat that example as narrow context, not as proof that the document only matters in that one scenario.

  • Needed in some cases

    If the petitioner is a lawful permanent resident (not a U.S. citizen), include a copy of the front and back of their Permanent Resident Card. This is required to establish the petitioner's status. (Sources: USCIS I-485 instructions, USCIS Policy Manual Vol. 7 Part A Ch. 2)

    Shown when: scope.green_card_path: family-based · scope.processing_context: adjustment-of-status · role.applicant_role: principal-applicant

This page explains when this document usually matters. Your checklist and the official instructions still control current requirements.

Recheck the live official source before filing, traveling, paying fees, or relying on post-specific instructions.

Sources used on this page

  • Step 5: Collect Financial Documents and Other Civil Documents (DOS)
    Official source

    U.S. Department of StateSource checked

    Why this source is here: DOS guidance on civil document collection, originals vs copies, and document preparation. Source IDs S03/S04 in research pack.

  • Step 6: Complete Online Application and Submit Documents (DOS)
    Official source

    U.S. Department of StateSource checked

    Why this source is here: DOS guidance on document submission to NVC and what to bring as originals to the interview. Source IDs S05/S06/S07/S08 in research pack.

  • Ciudad Juarez Consulate: Immigrant Visa Information (English)
    Official sourcePost-specific

    U.S. Embassy & Consulates in MexicoSource checked

    Why this source is here: Post-specific guidance for Ciudad Juarez immigrant visa interviews. Bilingual CDJ checklist (A01 in research pack). Source ID S17.

  • Maintained Source Policy
    Project policy

    GreenCardGuide repositorySource checked

    Why this source is here: Project governance reference for how canonical source-backed content should be maintained.