If you’re a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) and your Green Card is lost, expired, or delayed, you may need temporary proof of your status. USCIS now offers a faster, easier way to get that proof—without visiting a USCIS office.
Table of Contents
- What Is an ADIT Stamp?
- When Do You Need an ADIT Stamp?
- New USCIS Mail Delivery Option
- What the ADIT I-94 Looks Like
- Employment Verification: Form I-9 & E-Verify
- When You Don’t Need an ADIT Stamp
- How to Request an Appointment (If Needed)
- Summary
What Is an ADIT Stamp?
An ADIT stamp (Alien Documentation, Identification, and Telecommunication), also known as a temporary I-551 stamp, provides proof that you are a Lawful Permanent Resident (Green Card holder).
This stamp is placed on your passport or a Form I-94 and is used to:
- Travel outside and return to the U.S.
- Prove your legal status
- Start or keep a job
When Do You Need an ADIT Stamp?
You may need an ADIT stamp if:
- You lost your Green Card
- Your Green Card has expired
- You have a pending Form I-90, I-751, I-829, or N-400 and your receipt notice has also expired
- You haven’t received your replacement Green Card yet
New USCIS Mail Delivery Option
USCIS now mails Form I-94 with an ADIT stamp—without requiring you to visit a USCIS field office in many cases.
Here’s how the new process works:
- Call the USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283 or 800-767-1833 (TDD).
- A USCIS officer verifies your identity and checks if your mailing address accepts UPS or FedEx.
- If no appointment is needed, the local field office will:
- Prepare Form I-94 with ADIT stamp
- Add your photo from USCIS records
- Seal the document and mail it to you
What the ADIT I-94 Looks Like
There are two versions of the Form I-94 with ADIT stamp, depending on how it’s issued:
| Delivery Method | Photo Location | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Mailed | Top right corner | Includes photo and DHS seal over ADIT stamp |
| In-person | Top left corner | Includes affixed photo and DHS seal |
Employment Verification: Form I-9 & E-Verify
The mailed Form I-94 with ADIT stamp is accepted as a List A document for:
- Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification)
- E-Verify system
This means you can legally work in the U.S. using this document while waiting for your physical Green Card.
When You Don’t Need an ADIT Stamp
You don’t need an ADIT stamp if:
- Your Green Card is expired but your USCIS receipt notice is still valid
- You filed Form N-400 on or after December 12, 2022, at least 6 months before your card’s expiration—you automatically get a 24-month extension
How to Request an Appointment (If Needed)
If USCIS decides you need an in-person visit (for example, if they can’t verify your identity or you have urgent travel), you can request an appointment online.
How to use the online tool:
- Submit your appointment request through the USCIS appointment request tool
- You may suggest preferred dates and times
- USCIS will contact you to confirm the appointment if available
- You’ll get a reference number for tracking
Summary
The ADIT stamp is a reliable and official way for Green Card holders to prove their lawful permanent resident status. Thanks to USCIS’s updated procedures, many people can now receive this documentation by mail—saving time and avoiding field office visits.
Key Points:
- ADIT stamp = temporary proof of Green Card status
- Now mailed on Form I-94 with photo and DHS seal
- Accepted for I-9 and E-Verify
- Appointment only needed in special cases
- Call USCIS at 800-375-5283 or 800-767-1833 (TDD) with questions
Resources
We Can Help!
If you have questions regarding U.S. immigration, we invite you to contact our team at Richards and Jurusik for detailed guidance and assistance. We aim to provide the most accurate and up-to-date information to make your immigration process smoother and less stressful. The immigration lawyers at Richards and Jurusik have decades of experience helping people to work and live in the United States. Please read some of our hundreds of 5-star client reviews! Contact us today to assess your legal situation.
JEREMY L. RICHARDS is the founding partner of Richards and Jurusik and has dedicated his career to U.S. immigration law, with a specialized focus on assisting Canadian and Mexican citizens under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) to work and live in the United States. (Full Bio)
