Both “green card” and “Green Card” are in use. USCIS, the agency that issues the document, capitalizes it in its glossary entries and page titles, while many publications write it in lowercase in running text. The formal name is Permanent Resident Card, also called Form I-551.
Quick answer
- Official name: Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551).
- USCIS style: “Green Card” with capital letters, as in its glossary and page titles.
- Everyday style: “green card” in lowercase is common in news and general writing.
- Rule of thumb: choose one form for a document and use it everywhere in that document.
What the document is actually called
According to the USCIS glossary, the Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551) is also called a Green Card or an alien registration card. USCIS issues it as evidence of lawful permanent resident status. The glossary entry notes that most cards are valid for 10 years, and cards for conditional permanent residents are valid for two years.
Because the formal name already contains capital letters, “Permanent Resident Card” is always capitalized. The nickname is where writers disagree.
Names the glossary treats as the same thing
The glossary uses several labels for the card and for the person who holds it:
- Green Card, Permanent Resident Card, Form I-551, and alien registration card all refer to the same document.
- The glossary says the card is acceptable for Form I-9, the employment eligibility form.
- A lawful permanent resident is also listed under the names permanent resident alien, resident alien permit holder, and Green Card holder.
The card and the status are separate ideas. The card is the document. Lawful permanent residence is the status the document is evidence of.
How USCIS writes it
On its own site, USCIS uses the capitalized form “Green Card” in headings and in the glossary term itself. That is a house style choice by the agency, not a legal requirement. Nothing in a form or a notice depends on whether the nickname is capitalized.
Two meanings of the word card
People sometimes use “green card” for the plastic document and sometimes for the status itself, as in “she has a green card.” The glossary keeps the two apart: the card is issued as evidence of lawful permanent resident status. In careful writing it helps to say “Permanent Resident Card” when the document is meant and “lawful permanent resident status” when the status is meant. Capitalization does not decide which one a sentence refers to, but a clear noun does. This also avoids confusion with the lottery, where the word is often used loosely for the whole process.
Why lowercase is also common
In general writing the term works like a common noun, similar to “driver’s license” or “work permit.” Many editors therefore lowercase it in the middle of a sentence and capitalize it only at the start of a sentence or in a title. Style guides differ, so a publisher’s own stylebook decides which version is correct for that publication.
A short method for choosing
- Check whether the publication or employer has a style guide. If it does, follow it.
- If the text quotes or paraphrases USCIS closely, match USCIS capitalization.
- If neither applies, pick one form, apply it to every mention, and keep “Permanent Resident Card” capitalized.
- Read the finished text once more for mixed forms, since a mix is the most visible error.
Practical guidance
| Situation | Suggested form |
|---|---|
| Filling out a government form | Follow the form’s own wording; write “Permanent Resident Card” when the form asks for the card type |
| Quoting or citing USCIS | Keep USCIS’s capitalization exactly as published |
| Article, blog post, or report | Pick one form and apply it throughout |
| Headline or title | Capitalize according to the title-case rules of the publication |
Does capitalization change anything legally?
The USCIS pages reviewed do not describe any legal effect of capital letters on the document, the person’s status, or an application. Accuracy matters in other places: the exact names, dates, and identification numbers on forms must match the official records. The different identification numbers connected to a card are explained in the guide to A-Numbers, USCIS numbers, and receipt numbers. For a personal case, USCIS or a licensed immigration attorney decides what applies.
Frequently asked questions
Is “green card” a proper noun?
It is a nickname for a government-issued document, so it behaves like a common noun in most writing. The official name, Permanent Resident Card, is capitalized.
Does USCIS capitalize “Green Card”?
Yes, in its glossary and page titles. That reflects the agency’s own style.
What should be written on an application?
Use the wording the form provides. If a field asks for the document type, “Permanent Resident Card” or the form number I-551 is the unambiguous choice.
Is a Green Card the same as a lawful permanent resident?
No. According to the glossary, the card is evidence of lawful permanent resident status. The status belongs to the person, and the card is the document that shows it.
Is a green card the same as winning the Diversity Visa lottery?
No. Selection in the lottery is a step toward an immigrant visa, and the permanent resident card is issued after the process is complete. See the Green Card FAQ for the overview.
Related reading
- A-Number, USCIS number, and receipt number explained
- Green Card expiration dates and renewal
- Green Card FAQ
- DV lottery requirements
About this guide
This website is for information only. It is not affiliated with the U.S. government, does not give legal advice or consultations, and does not offer application services. The current official instructions control, because rules change each year.
Last verified: October 2026. Source: USCIS glossary.