newadventure

Hello,
This is really a reminder in case anyone is in the same boat - i know i nearly missed this for my middle daughter. I have just applied for GC renewal for my 14 yr old son, even though his current card does not expire until 2026. The green card must be renewed when they turn 14. If you apply within 30 days after their 14th birthday, cost is $85

petitefrancaise

yep. and it's $850 ish if you miss the 30 days... as I know only too well.

newadventure

Ouch!

Rete

Technically, you didn't really apply for a renewal of your daughter's green card. As a new 14 year old, she is required to have a green card that shows a current photo. Many kids under 14 don't even have photos on their cards.

petitefrancaise

It's for biometrics - they can't/don't do them before the age of 14.
The old card had a photo on it , the new one has an updated one.

S Folinsky

If memory serves me correctly, age 14 is to get fingerprinted.

lizzyq

That was certainly our experience even as tourists. Our younger son had his 14th birthday during our fact finding trip using vwp six years ago and the lack of incoming fingerprints caused a brief and minor hiccup when we checked in to depart the USA.

petitefrancaise

as I said, it's for biometrics

sadiigo

I have the same problem, but I missed the 30 day window after 14 year birthday for my son. However, I realised that when we got our cards in Feb 2018, both him and his little sister (9 years old then) had biometrics taken. We got a new style green cards at that time and they had their fingerprints embedded in their cards. I wonder if I still need to apply for the renewal for him. I know the photo is old, but as long as fingerprints can be matched in their database he will be identified. I believe the whole point of this renewal is to get fingerprints before a child is 16 years old. I also wonder shouldn’t USCIS contact me and remind of the renewal? Has anyone renewed the cards for their kids where fingerprints were shown on the existing cards? Thank you.

petitefrancaise

I also wonder shouldn’t USCIS contact me and remind of the renewal? er no.
You must replace your son's GC at his 14th birthday.

https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/.../i-90instr.pdf
the above pdf gives more detail about which box to tick depending on whether your son's current GC expires before or after his 16th birthday.