The I-551 stamp — often called the ADIT stamp, short for Alien Documentation, Identification and Telecommunication — is temporary evidence that you are a lawful permanent resident (LPR) of the United States. It is usually placed directly in a valid passport, and in some situations it may be issued on a Form I-94 instead.

Think of it as a short-term bridge: it lets you prove your green card status, work legally, and travel during periods when you do not have a valid physical green card in hand — for example, while a replacement or renewal is still being processed.

While it is valid, the ADIT stamp does the same core work as your green card. It confirms that you:

• Hold lawful permanent resident status in the United States;
• Are authorized to live and work in the country; and
• Are eligible to travel internationally and seek readmission as an LPR (still subject to inspection at the border).

In other words, it is official proof of your status for the window of time it covers — useful precisely when your physical card is missing, expired, or has not yet been produced.

You may need an ADIT stamp any time you are a permanent resident without a valid green card to show. The most common situations include:

• A lost or stolen green card with a replacement application pending.
• An expired or soon-to-expire card while your renewal is still being processed by USCIS.
• Card production delays — your case is approved, but the physical card has not arrived.
• Upcoming travel where you need proof of status before the new card can reach you.
• Employment verification, when an employer needs documentation for Form I-9.
• Newly admitted immigrants entering the U.S. on a machine-readable immigrant visa, before the green card is mailed.

The stamp and the card serve the same purpose, but they are not the same document. Here is how they compare:

I-551 (ADIT) Stamp	Physical Green Card
Temporary evidence of LPR status	Primary, long-term proof of status
Usually placed inside your passport	A separate, standalone ID card
Limited validity (typically up to one year)	Valid for 10 years (or 2 for conditional residents)
A short-term bridge document	Your everyday proof of permanent residence

Getting an ADIT stamp generally follows these steps:

• Gather your evidence. Collect documents that show your permanent resident status — such as USCIS receipt notices, an expired green card, or your approval notice.
• Request an appointment. Contact USCIS (through the Contact Center or your USCIS online account) to ask for an in-person ADIT appointment at a local field office.
• Explain your need. Be clear about why you need the stamp — for example, upcoming travel, employment verification, or a delayed card.
• Attend the appointment. Bring the required documents, where an officer verifies your identity and status and places the stamp in your passport (or issues a Form I-94).

In some cases, USCIS may mail temporary I-551 evidence without requiring an in-person visit. Newly arrived immigrants typically receive their temporary I-551 evidence when they present their machine-readable immigrant visa at the port of entry.

Showing up prepared helps you avoid a wasted trip. Plan to bring:

• A valid, unexpired passport (the preferred place for the stamp);
• Your appointment confirmation or notice from USCIS;
• Evidence of your pending or approved case (receipt or approval notices);
• Your prior or expired green card, if you still have it;
• A government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license;
• Passport-style photos, in case the stamp is issued on a Form I-94; and
• A police or court report, if your card was lost or stolen.

The validity period is set at the discretion of USCIS based on your circumstances, but it generally does not exceed one year unless a specific regulation or policy provides otherwise. The goal is simply to cover the gap until your physical green card is available, so the length is tied to how long your underlying case is expected to take.

For employment: The I-551 stamp functions as a List A document for Form I-9, meaning it establishes both your identity and your authorization to work — so a single document satisfies the verification requirement.

For travel: The stamp lets you seek reentry to the U.S. as a permanent resident. Keep in mind that admission is still subject to inspection by Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the outcome can depend on factors like the length of your time abroad and your overall immigration history. If you have a complicated travel or status situation, it is worth speaking with an attorney before you leave.

There is generally no separate fee for the temporary ADIT evidence itself. However, the underlying application that created the need for the stamp — such as a green card replacement (Form I-90) or a renewal — typically carries its own filing fee. In short, you are usually paying for the application, not for the stamp.

Whether your green card is lost, expiring, or simply delayed, an ADIT stamp can keep your life moving — letting you work, travel, and prove your status without interruption. The key is requesting it correctly and showing up with the right documentation.

At Keller Law Group, LLC, we help permanent residents navigate green card replacements, renewals, and ADIT appointments so they can avoid unnecessary delays and protect their status.

Schedule a consultation today.
Keller Law Group, LLC
Phone: (857) 810-8040
Email: hello@kellerimmigration.com