The Diversity Visa entry is a single online form submitted at dvprogram.state.gov. The form must be completed in one sitting, it cannot be saved, and the confirmation number shown after submission is the only way to check the result later. Mistakes in family information or photographs can make an entry ineligible.
Quick answer
- One entry per person. Duplicates disqualify all of that person’s entries.
- The form must be finished within 60 minutes of opening, or the system discards it.
- A confirmation number and a printout of the confirmation page are needed to check the result.
- For DV-2027, the Department of State has also required passport information and a $1 entry fee. See what changes for DV-2027 entrants.
Details below follow the Department of State instructions for DV-2026 for DV-2026. Field names and technical limits can differ by year.
Information the form asks for
- Full name, written as it appears on the passport, in the order family name, first name, middle name. A person with one name enters it in the family name field.
- Gender, date of birth, city and country of birth.
- Country of eligibility, which is normally the country of birth.
- Recent photographs of the entrant, the spouse, and each derivative child.
- Mailing address, country of residence, and an email address with continuing access.
- Highest level of education, from primary school only to doctorate.
- Marital status, with details and a photograph of the spouse where required.
- Names, dates, and places of birth of all eligible children.
Listing a spouse
A legally married entrant must list the spouse, even if they live apart or the spouse does not plan to immigrate. The only exceptions are a spouse who is already a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, and a spouse from whom the entrant is legally separated by court order. A person who is not yet married should not list a future spouse. Failing to list an eligible spouse, or listing someone who is not a spouse, may make the entrant ineligible.
Listing children
Every living, unmarried child under 21 must be listed, including natural children, legally adopted children, and stepchildren, whether or not they live with the entrant. Children who are already U.S. citizens or permanent residents do not need to be listed. Married children and children aged 21 or older at the time of entry are not eligible. The Child Status Protection Act may protect a child who turns 21 after the entry was filed.
Photograph rules for DV-2026
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Age of photo | Taken within the last six months |
| Color and focus | In color, in focus |
| Head size | Between 50 and 69 percent of the image height |
| Background | Plain white or off-white |
| Pose | Facing the camera, neutral expression, both eyes open |
| Eyeglasses | Not worn |
| File | JPEG, 240 kB or less, square, 600 by 600 pixels |
Reusing a photograph from a previous year’s entry or a manipulated photograph can make the entrant ineligible. For DV-2027, the final rule says technical image specifications will be set in the program notice, so the current notice should be read before uploading.
The confirmation number
After a complete submission the system shows a confirmation screen with a unique number. Without it, the entrant cannot use Entrant Status Check. The Department of State warns that some unscrupulous facilitators keep the confirmation page and then demand money for the number. Anyone who receives help should be present when the entry is prepared and should keep the number personally. If the number is lost, a retrieval tool in Entrant Status Check can send it to the email address used on the entry.
Frequently asked questions
Can someone else submit the entry?
The Department of State encourages entrants to prepare their own entry, but allows someone else to submit it. Only one entry may exist in the entrant’s name, and the entrant is responsible for correct information.
What if the system rejects the entry?
An entry may be resubmitted until a confirmation number is received. After a confirmation number appears, no further entry should be submitted.
What if no confirmation number appeared?
Then the entry was not recorded, and a new one will not count as a duplicate.
Is a phone number required?
The DV-2026 instructions list the phone number as optional.
Related reading
- Who is eligible for the DV lottery
- How the Diversity Visa lottery works
- Checking DV lottery results
- DV lottery costs and scams
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. Entries are submitted only on the official entry site, and the current official instructions control, because rules change each year.
Last verified: October 2026. Sources: Department of State instructions for DV-2026; final rule published March 11, 2026.