Applying for Citizenship with I-551 Stamp

[Know_Ledge 6]

Hey Guys,

My I-751 case was approved on 01/16/2014 and I received the I-551 stamp. My greencard was lost in the mail and I'm eligible to apply for citizenship in July 2014.

Can I apply for Naturalization with just a temporary stamp?

I'm cringing at the fact that I may need to pay $450 to have my greencard replaced with it's not needed.

Thanks in advance! :-)

[BigDaddy28 228]

Why don't you see what happened to your actual green card? Go to your USCIS office and tell them as of today you didn't receive your card.

[aleful 1,905]

hi

no, the i551 expired when you received your first GC, it is a temporary stamp

plus with the N400 form for citizenship you have to send copy, front and back of your GC, they want to know that you are eligible for citizenship by the date on your current GC

[Nica_In_Love 98]

I would contact USCIS first like silkafi88 suggested. It's not your fault that it got lost in the mail, so sort that out first so that you don't have to shell out money for a replacement.

[Know_Ledge 6]

Why don't you see what happened to your actual green card? Go to your USCIS office and tell them as of today you didn't receive your card.

I've been tracking the delivery of my greencard on usps.com. According to the tracking info, it was delivered on February 8. 2014 but I never received it. I called the USCIS on February 10. 2014 and spoke to an IO to find out what happened. I was told to wait 30 to call back. If they don't get back my greencard as undeliverable, I will have to pay for a replacement since the tracking info said it was delivered and I have no way of proving otherwise.

[Know_Ledge 6]

hi

no, the i551 expired when you received your first GC, it is a temporary stamp

plus with the N400 form for citizenship you have to send copy, front and back of your GC, they want to know that you are eligible for citizenship by the date on your current GC

Hi aleful,

The stamp was received after removal of conditions interview on January 16. 2014. It doesn't expire until January 15. 2015.

Do I really need to file for a replacement?

[Know_Ledge 6]

I would contact USCIS first like silkafi88 suggested. It's not your fault that it got lost in the mail, so sort that out first so that you don't have to shell out money for a replacement.

Hi there,

I did just that 2 days after USPS claimed they delivered it, I even went to post office to speak to the supervisor.. The tracking info said it was delivered to the address on file. How can I prove I didn't receive?

I'm calling back in 2 days. Hopefully It was returned as undeliverable.

Just wanted to know if the temporary stamp would suffice since it expires Jan 15. 2015 and I'm eligible to apply for citizenship July 2014.

Sooo confused!!

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

You need the green card. You have to turn it in at the oath ceremony and have to include front and back copies Sorry you need the green card before the process is done. There is something about including a police report to start filing if the card is stolen but I am not sure how you would get photos of the front and back

[Nica_In_Love 98]

As far as I understand, you need the physical card. I wouldn't leave your post office alone. I would go over there personally and speak with a supervisor or manager. They can investigate the issue further. If you just called and didn't follow up, they'll forget about it.

If that doesn't work, you may consider contacting your congressman's office. Maybe they can help you get the replacement fee waived.

[BigDaddy28 228]

I've been tracking the delivery of my greencard on usps.com. According to the tracking info, it was delivered on February 8. 2014 but I never received it. I called the USCIS on February 10. 2014 and spoke to an IO to find out what happened. I was told to wait 30 to call back. If they don't get back my greencard as undeliverable, I will have to pay for a replacement since the tracking info said it was delivered and I have no way of proving otherwise.

Go to USPS office where your mail is processed through. Talk to a supervisor and find out where it was delivered. Its their mistake, they should have paid attention to where to deliver government issued cards. Demand it don't be afraid of them. Make them feel its their responsibility to find it because it is. Im sorry you have to go through this. But USCIS will not process your N400 application without a copy of the new green card or receipt that you requested a replacement. And no USCIS will not accept the temporary stamp that you have in your passport.

[Dave&Roza 748]

Hi there,

I did just that 2 days after USPS claimed they delivered it, I even went to post office to speak to the supervisor.. The tracking info said it was delivered to the address on file. How can I prove I didn't receive?

I'm calling back in 2 days. Hopefully It was returned as undeliverable.

Just wanted to know if the temporary stamp would suffice since it expires Jan 15. 2015 and I'm eligible to apply for citizenship July 2014.

Sooo confused!!

This is a USPS screw up and you need to go "postal" on them. Go back to the local post office and raise royal hell until they look into this matter. Contact the local postmaster. It amazes me how our government tells us to be careful with official sensitive personal IDs and yet the cannot even send the GC via certified mail with a signature requirement. At least now they are using tracking, but as in your case that does not prevent it being scanned as delivered and placed into the wrong mailbox. At least if the signature card gets misdirected the GC would be returned to the USCIS and you would not have to try and prove you did not receive the GC.

Get they to your post office and make them show you where it was delivered. At the very least file an undelivered mail report with them so they have to research it.

Good luck,

Dave

[Know_Ledge 6]

Hey Guys,

Thank you all for replying. Here's the update:

I called USCIS this morning to find out if my card was returned as undeliverable. It was not. I was also informed that I CAN apply for citizenship with the temporary stamp.

If I do need the physical card however, I can file form I-90 and select reason " My previous card was issued but never received". This would prompt an investigation and possibly have the $450 fee waived.

I think I'll file the I-90 just to be on the safe side.

[Know_Ledge 6]

UPDATE:

The new green card was not needed. I showed the interviewing officer my current temporary stamp, my old green card and the letter stating that my card was not returned to USCIS as undeliverable. He said it was okay.

They took the old green card at the naturalization ceremony.

Edited February 28, 2015 by Know_Ledge

[TBoneTX 47,692]

Congratulations to you!