A friend, Matina K, has suggested that some might benefit from a post about how to handle the situation when you have entered as single and want to get married at various points along the DV process.
Firstly, I should explain that the marital status question in the eDV entry is one of the critical questions on the form – a mistake on your marital status can (and typically does) cause disqualification – even if the mistake was innocuous/innocent. Some people, for instance, choose “legally separated” when they are in fact, married, but separated. Unless a separation is legally recorded (typically by a court) then you cannot claim to be separated. Similarly, if you enter married because you plan/expect to be married before the results are announced, that can also cause disqualification. It is essential that you take this question seriously and literally.
OK so what do you do if you are planning to get married before the results are announced OR you are selected and then realize that you want to take your boyfriend/girlfriend/partner. The process depends on the exact timing, between the original entry/registration (October), result announcement (May 1), your interview date (after October, according to when you are current) and the end of the DV year (September 30).
By the way, these comments relate to opposite sex, or same sex relationships. Since the repeal of DOMA the federal government has recognized same sex couples have the same rights for immigration benefit as opposite sex couples. US immigration law therefore respects marriage based on the laws and customs that govern in the place where the marriage was performed. If a marriage is considered legal in the place where it was performed then US immigration law treats the marriage as lawful. I will refer to your boyfriend/girlfriend/partner/fiancé all as partner from now on in this article.
Entry of an unmarried couple in DV lottery
First of all, if you are unmarried you cannot list your partner as a spouse. You can of course both enter the lottery and if either one wins then they have the option of marrying to confer the benefit of a visa (and then Green Card) on the other. Just be aware that each principal selectee (winner) has to meet the requirements in their own right (regarding). Whilst married couples can benefit from cross charging to a spouse’s country (if their own country is ineligible) that option is NOT available to single entrants that later marry. If you are unmarried but have children then both entries should include the children as derivatives.
Scenario 1: Marriage after registration, but before the results are announced.
This one is “easy”. Life happens, you don’t put your life on hold simply because you entered the DV lottery. So – you got married, then you found out you were selected so you simply fill in the DS260 as a married couple. There will be some “normal” scrutiny of the marriage – even people who have been married years have been lightly questioned about the marriage in DV interviews. Marriage prior to selection may get similar interest – and if you want to be extra prepared then take some proof of the marriage as I will describe below.
Scenario 2: Marriage after registration, and after the results are announced, but prior to interview.
OK – there is nothing wrong with this if the relationship is real. In fact it is absolutely the sensible thing to do in some cases as I will describe shortly. However, winning the DV lottery is a huge opportunity and there are plenty of people that have tried to manipulate the system to obtain two Green Cards based on a “sham” marriage. It is therefore up to the couple to demonstrate the genuine nature of the marriage and, especially in countries where fraud is more common, the couple should be prepared for extensive and deep scrutiny of the marriage. People have been prosecuted for immigration fraud based on sham marriages – so please don’t even consider that!
If you have plans to marry shortly after the announcement of the results, you may decide to hold back submission of your DS260 until you have married, so that you can include your spouse on the first submission of the forms. However, if you have already submitted your DS260 and marry while you are waiting for interview, you can request KCC to unlock your form (email is best) and then modify your DS260 to include your new spouse (including modifying your own entry to reflect your new marital status). In the email requesting the form unlocking, I would suggest including a scan of the marriage certificate which will be added to your KCC file (later sent to the embassy or Field office if doing adjustment of status).
If the marriage happens after the case has been passed to the embassy for a scheduled interview, you should still inform KCC as a precaution BUT your actual approach is to handle the change direct with the embassy. Some embassies are relaxed about who attends the interviews, others are very UNrelaxed – so in some cases you will have to contact the embassy or ask KCC to contact them on your behalf to get your spouse added to the interview schedule.
Scenario 3: Marriage after interview, before entry to the USA, and before the end of the year.
OK – you like to live on the edge don’t ya! This is still technically possible, but unwise. The process involves approaching the embassy that handled your case. However, this is a highly risky strategy as the embassy may not understand the rules, you might time out, visas may be exhausted and so on. The MUCH more preferable option is to bring forward the date of your marriage before the interview.
Scenario 4: Marriage after interview, after entry into the USA but before the end of the DV year (September 30th).
OK – this is rare, so rare that I am not even sure this would be technically possible/legal. If you have created this mess you may be able to process a derivative case but this would be highly risky since they would rightly wonder why you hadn’t handled this earlier (i.e. causing them severe doubt that the relationship is real).
Scenario 5: Marriage after the end of the year
This one no longer falls under DV lottery rules – a normal immigration process would need to be followed which is slower and more expensive.
Proof of relationship.
How can you prove your relationship is genuine and not just a sham to take advantage of a DV lottery win. Basically this is a matter of demonstrating your life together and the big events with documentary evidence. This can include the following suggestions.:
- Photos/Emails/Joint bills from the period of time before the marriage.
- Photos or other evidence from the wedding ceremony itself.
- Joint financial documents such as shared bank accounts.
- Knowledge of each other, your extended families and so on.
Get your thinking cap on – the burden is on you to prove the marriage is real. If there is doubt in the mind of the CO he/she is entitled to deny your visa with no appeal process (in consular processing cases).
Thank you to Matina for the suggestion on this topic – as usual, feel free to ask questions/comment on this article, check out my other posts and subscribe to my blog to be notified as I publish further articles.
DV lottery
October 1, 2019 at 14:35
Ok thank you.
October 2, 2019 at 19:56
Do I need a marriage certificate to apply? My spouse and I have live together for 2 years now. We have a child but not yet married in church or at the judge’s
October 3, 2019 at 03:59
Then you are not married. Both enter as unmarried, and if either of you win, you get married and process together. Both include the child.
October 3, 2019 at 04:56
Ok. Thank you so much Britsimon.
October 3, 2019 at 09:46
Dear Simon,
If my marriage contract has a polygamy status, won’t it be the object of refusal if I sign up with my wife and we win after?
I ask that question in case we win and are asked after the marriage certificate.
October 3, 2019 at 16:08
Polygamy is not allowed in the USA. Documentation standards of marriage and divorce in your country will come in to play. If documentation shows that your second marriage was polygamous as you seem to be saying, then US law considers that marriage invalid.
October 3, 2019 at 18:33
Ok very clear.
Thanks again dear.
October 5, 2019 at 11:00
Hey Brit thank you for the information really appreciate it
My question is I got married after applying for the green card but before the results were announced. If all goes well I’ll leave and he can later join me due to some reason we decided I’d travell first . Should I just fill one ds260 form or should i fill in two?
Thank you
October 5, 2019 at 14:51
It depends how much later you expect him to travel. If you do it through DV, fill in the DS260 and he has up to 6 months to travel. If not you can sponsor him once you are in the USA, but that will take 2 years.
February 17, 2020 at 08:09
Hello BritSimon please I need a clarification on this issue. You said it depends on how mich later she expect him to joined her . If the person does it through DV , she must fill in DS260 and the spouse has up to 6 months to travel to USA, my question now is that , On my DS260 I stated that I am married and gave them my husband name and her date of birth as recommended by the DS260 if you are married . However I told them I am going alone and my husband will joined me later . In this case how long will it take before I can file for my husband?? Remember on my DS260 my status have been change to married , my husband details have been submitted to them as well on my DS260 but I am going alone and she can joined me later . How long will it take before I can start processing for my husband ?
February 17, 2020 at 16:10
Sponsoring via family based takes around two years
October 9, 2019 at 13:21
Hi..
I want to ask about diversity visa :
I have a brother 25 years old and Father 63 years old. Can I apply the diversity visa only me and my mom?
Please advise. Thank you
October 10, 2019 at 02:14
Your mother must include her husband since she is married. However, that does not mean he has to move.
October 12, 2019 at 12:48
Hello Britt,
If we have a marriage license and will get married the week after the lottery application deadline, could we possibly state that we are married?
October 12, 2019 at 19:41
No. That would be a lie, wouldn’t it.
October 13, 2019 at 04:51
What about age? I mean if i will 22 on julay 4/2020 what can i fill on the place of age during application of dvlottery? Thank you.
October 13, 2019 at 15:17
Whatever age you are now. Everything you enter on the entry must be true as of that date.
October 13, 2019 at 13:50
Greatting simion. I am back with other questions. I already change my name legally in court but my education certificats are in two different names. It means from the begining up to 10 years one name and above 10 my name changed can i fiil dv lottery? Thank you again.
October 13, 2019 at 15:48
Yes – as long as your name change documentation shows why…
October 14, 2019 at 04:41
Dear Simon,
I live with my previous wife without marriage and had 2 children, she leaves without saying anything. now I already legally married and the children are with me. Would I say yes or no for the previous spouse question?
October 14, 2019 at 16:07
If you were not legally married, the answer is no.
October 15, 2019 at 02:34
Dear. Simon,
Thank you so much for your answer, I have some more questions below:
1. the date of birth in my high school diploma is not the same as my birth certificate, national ID card, and my passport (the three of them are same), what should I do?
2. my family has 4 people, so I have to pay (330$ x 4 =1320$) at the visa interview?
Really appreciate your reply, thanks
October 15, 2019 at 04:02
1, Nothing. That’s OK.
2. Yes
October 16, 2019 at 03:48
Thanks so much Brit,
October 17, 2019 at 02:23
Hi Brit,
I just checked my children’s birth certificate, it has my previous wife’s name that did not marriage (illegally wife). I did this birth certificate since I was with her, now I already legally married.
1. should I do the new one?
2. is it has any issue?
Thanks for your advice
October 17, 2019 at 04:34
1. I don’t know.
2. No
December 17, 2019 at 10:15
Hello Chan dara, I think you come from the same country as mine? have you done the interview? really thankful if you can share your update of the interview if done. Thea
October 16, 2019 at 03:55
I am from Sri Lanka I am DV winner 2019 I was single so embassy yiu can get married bring your wife for interview after embassy check everything all documents perfect but they say we have double on your wedding they not give me visa what can I do
October 17, 2019 at 03:00
DV2019 finished on September 30th. There is no possible way for any embassy to issue visas on DV2019 now. It would be illegal. So – there is nothing you can do.
October 17, 2019 at 05:06
Hi Brit,
Are you sure that is no problem?
I checked in my village they said can not do the new one or make an edit, I really worry about this, thanks
October 17, 2019 at 20:45
Thank you for my previous questions simon. And again is passport really necessary for dv 2021?what will happend if i will fill the dv lottery and i did not have passport? Thank you again and again simon.
October 17, 2019 at 22:27
Disqualification.
October 17, 2019 at 22:51
hi Brit
my marriage was a traditional marriage (marriage without certificate) and it’s accepted and recognize in Ghana. I got to understand USA does not recognize such marriage. Even though we have all photos and the marriage too is blessed with a three year old son. All my documents here too bear my status as married.
should I enter the dv as married or unmarried
October 18, 2019 at 22:40
You must choose based on your understanding of the law. If you choose married, and you get selected you should certainly perform a legal marriage ceremony.
October 22, 2019 at 12:10
Hello Simon.
I applied for the dv lottery 2021 and i have been reading through your blogs with a higher conviction that i will go through, and have got random questions and i hope that i will be able to get answers from here, perhaps someone has been in my shoes before.
I got misunderstandings with my husband of 6 years and apparently not staying together but i included him in the derivatives together with our 6 year old daughter but iam wondering;
1. Will they require my husband to come along for the interview?
2. If i go to the interview alone what are some of the likely questions that can be asked in case my husband has not applied for the visa along with us but i have applied for our dota.?
3. Will i be denied a visa because we have not applied as a family?
I will be grateful for whatever helpful information i can get please, i want to prepare ahead of may 2021 just in case i emerge successful in the lottery.
October 22, 2019 at 23:27
1. Not necessarily.
2. You would have to show that you have legal control to take your daughter out of the country. Yo may also be asked to show how you can support yourself in the USA.
3. Not necessarily.
October 23, 2019 at 09:31
Hello, Simon. My name is Mary.
I posted my question here before but cannot found it now.
I applied for 2021 DV lottery as single (I’m Russian), but my boyfriend is Chinese (Mainland China) and we’re going to get married soon.
I know that China is not eligible, so in case if I win can I put him into my application?
Or I can apply only if we married?
October 23, 2019 at 16:15
You can only add a spouse to whom you are legally married.
October 23, 2019 at 23:31
And it doesn’t matter which country he’s from?
October 24, 2019 at 00:01
No
October 26, 2019 at 14:08
Hi brit I got married (14-april- 2019) before dv lottery was announced and got selected but I filled my initial dv entry form as single. Do I need to mail kcc to inform about my merriage or just add applicant in DS-260 form?
October 26, 2019 at 21:30
No need to ask them. Just add the applicant.
October 27, 2019 at 11:28
Please my wife and I had a traditional marriage and I know US doesn’t recognize this type of marriage, so when filling the dv forms I selected unmarried. Later my wife’s brother filled my wifes dv lottery forms and indicated my wife’s marital status as married. Is there any possibility that our application will be disqualified since the information on my forms is different from hers.
October 27, 2019 at 18:28
There is some risk, yes. But – see if either of you are selected first!
October 29, 2019 at 10:29
Hi, Wonderful article, however I think that my circumstances are a little rarer. My partner and I were previously legally married and had 1 child. We then became legally divorced. We have been in a resumed relationship for the past 5 years and have had another 2 children (3 in total) and do intend to marry again, however haven’t really been in a rush.
We both understand that we are not married under this process, my question is do we list ourselves as divorced?
October 29, 2019 at 15:54
Divorced.
November 4, 2019 at 15:42
I live with my domestic partner and we have “concubinage” official documents. Should we apply together?
November 4, 2019 at 16:32
No. Both can apply as unmarried.
November 21, 2019 at 21:57
CN: 2020AF30xxx hello simon i won lottery dv2020 and i’m trying to fill my ds260 i married my wife on July 20, 2019 and she has a child who is not me a girl who is 11 years old today on the birth certificate of his daughter the name of the father does not appear there is nothing to mark on “NAME OF THE FATHER” by filling my ds260 is what I have 1-Is that to mention it in my ds260 as the child of my wife my name must absolutely appear in his birth certificate? 2- Do I have to start a child recognition procedure to mention it in my DS260? 3- Or I leave everything, I leave the “NAME OF FATHER” empty as it is now and I mention it as the child of my wife.
November 23, 2019 at 16:56
Answer honestly. The child became your stepchild through marriage. Perfectly normal.
December 16, 2019 at 03:17
Hello I was 16 years when I started , I lost my father at the age of 16 years and I was taking care at school by boyfriend , at age 17 I got pregnant for him and gave birth, he still took care of my for me to further my education, at age 19 I apply for the DV when I was about to complete my Senior High School and before the result was announced we got married. We got married about 4 months before the result was announced, If submit DS260 can I be disqualified just because I got married at age 19 and at the same time a student? My intention is to go for the interview alone but I want them to capture him as my husband because we are legally married.
December 16, 2019 at 06:32
You are married, so you can submit as married.
December 16, 2019 at 06:37
Thank you , but I am much concerned about my age and me been a student in my final year at Senior High School. Will that be a problem?
December 16, 2019 at 08:20
Please final year means you are not done with senior high school ( So NO High school certificate as the minimum requirement they request. To me i think you should think about it …. did you apply with educational qualification or working experience ? JUST THESE QUESTIONS) you are from West Africa i guess..
December 16, 2019 at 09:25
I am done with my Senior High School. The DV results came in May when I was writing my Senior High School final exams So I completed my Senior High School in June.
December 16, 2019 at 11:53
Rose, just submit your ds260 as married and if you don’t intend to travel with him and the child then don’t feel a ds260 for them but make sure u list them on your application.. You have completed shs thus you meet the education qualification…your age isn’t a problem okay…just fill the form as accurately and honestly as possible and submit it…If you don’t have your certificate try reaching your school or waec for it, they will either send it to the us embassy or you wld go to the interview with your results slip for verification and you have to meet the requirement that is A-C6 IN MATHS, ENGLISH AND OTHER 3 SUBJECT.
December 16, 2019 at 12:32
Thank you . Yes we are not traveling together am going alone .
December 23, 2019 at 19:03
we married before the interview but will not go with her to the states. should she change her status? and can i join her later? after she gone.
December 23, 2019 at 19:15
She should change her status to married, yes. You can join her later, but if you do not do that through the DV process it will take around 2 yars.
December 25, 2019 at 17:13
Hello I am kind of confused little Brit , can you please make me understand this answer of yours well ?” She should change her status to married and you can joined her later “ Joining her later in this phrase means how long ?
“if you do not do that through the DV process it will take around 2 years . “ If she does not do what through the dv process ??
December 26, 2019 at 19:13
Read this:
https://britsimonsays.com/faq/dv-process-versus-family-based-immigration/
December 24, 2019 at 08:51
I think she should update her status to married . When she go alone you can joined her after 6 months going if she is working and paying all her taxes . But if she didn’t list you under her as her husband and she want to come and take you, that one will be different and is long process.
December 24, 2019 at 14:51
6 months?… If he does not fill a ds260 for him nor go to the interview with him he CNT go after 6 month…its 2 years going pls as Brit said
December 24, 2019 at 15:35
Please don’t speculate about answers if you are not sure.
January 20, 2020 at 11:58
Hello can i refused dv visa for testing positive gonorrhea ?
January 20, 2020 at 23:09
Yes.
https://britsimonsays.com/faq/what-are-the-diseases-that-can-cause-denial/
January 25, 2020 at 14:58
I have a son with my lovely wife but not having the certificate of marriage, can I list them in the application of the green card lottery interview incase I win
January 25, 2020 at 15:50
You would have to get married.
January 31, 2020 at 14:37
Hello Brit,
we are married couple now and my husband added me as a derivative. He is the winner for 2020 lottery.
Case Nr: 38k EU
How should I send all needed documentation after filling my ds260? From his email or from my email that I inserted in my ds260?
Regards
January 31, 2020 at 17:41
Your husband should be creating your DS260, submitting your documents and so on.
February 2, 2020 at 09:22
Ok thanks.
One more question – should we already ask for ds260 to be unlocked and we are getting merried in middle februar?
February 2, 2020 at 16:29
You said you were married!
Yes – he should unlock and add you. Tell him to read the FAQ.
February 11, 2020 at 10:35
When i won lottery i was divorced and no child because it was marraige on paper only and after result I got married and add my new wife but I don’t list my previous wife does this make a problem for me?
Please if u can help me i will appreciate that
February 11, 2020 at 19:17
You needed to have been truthful about your status. So – in the DV entry you entered as divorced, and you provide divorce papers as well as marriage papers.
February 22, 2020 at 06:29
Hey simon
I have added my spouse after interview schedul.we both give interview but only i got visa.what should i do for further process?
February 22, 2020 at 15:21
Ask the embassy.
February 23, 2020 at 09:08
Hi Brit,
I am Case No. AF67k. I am the principle applicant and my spouse whome we are legally married is a derivative.
I already submitted my DS260 though I know there is quite sometime before I get current.
My question is, if for some reason my spouse decides they no longer want to migrate, what would be the best procedure that would not jeopardize my chances of getting a Visa.?
February 23, 2020 at 15:23
That depends when that happens.
February 23, 2020 at 16:37
If its now before being scheduled? Also no documents have been scheduled yet.
February 23, 2020 at 17:11
In that case you would let KCC know that your spouse is not going with you, so that they don’t expect her documents.
February 23, 2020 at 17:38
Thank you for your response. I appreciate.
Allow me to ask one more; at what point do I notify them? Or would I need to unlock the Ds260 and re-submit mine alone?
February 23, 2020 at 18:11
As soon as you decide – inform them.
March 7, 2020 at 07:41
My wife was married before and entered a previous DV lottery with her previous husband but they couldn’t win. We got married in February 2019 and I have entered the DV 2021 with her. What are the possible implications of the marital status if any of us win the lottery?
March 7, 2020 at 22:18
Win first – then ask.
April 5, 2020 at 03:14
Hi britsimon,
I won the green card lottery and I came to USA now already 2 years . I have a boyfriend my country. I decided to marry him this year. After my marriage how long it’s take me to bring him to USA
How I need to start visa process
April 5, 2020 at 04:15
I don’t advise people on family based sponsorship.
May 9, 2020 at 12:51
Hi Simon,
I’m DV2020 selectee, case n EU28***.
My fiance and I were planning on getting married in early March and include him as a derivative. But, because of the virus pandemic and our country declaring a state of alarm with movement restrictions, we didn’t get married.
I have already submitted my documents at the end of April.
If we do marry now in May (civil marriage only, no traditional wedding party) and manage to get and send all documents by the end of the month or early June, 1) what do you think the chances would be of those docs being processed and being scheduled for an interview?
2) Also, would they consider the marriage as suspicious, taking into consideration that if we do get an interview date only a few months would have passed since the wedding day?
We’ve been together for almost a year.
Thank you.
May 9, 2020 at 14:14
You should NOT have included your fiance until you were married!
1. I cannot asses the “chances”. Get on with the marriage!
2. They would see you claimed to be married when you weren’t – that might be a problem but the sooner you marry and make that better, the better for your case.
May 9, 2020 at 15:05
Oh no, no. I didn’t say I was married in the DS260 and I didn’t include my fiance in it. I know it’s not good to put married in the DS260 when in fact you’re just engaged.
Thanks for the reply.
May 9, 2020 at 17:40
OK good.
May 9, 2020 at 19:34
Brit my brother is legally married and got selected for dv 2020, He had a son with his previous girlfriend who was born after entering the lottery, he is asking for advice, what can I tell him
May 9, 2020 at 21:16
He should list that child on the DS260. Assuming the child won’t go to the STates, that is all he needs to do.
May 19, 2020 at 15:50
Hi bri does the American embassy keeps record of past dv lottery programs? What I mean is if you were not selected do they still keep your information in their box?
May 19, 2020 at 17:50
Yes
May 20, 2020 at 04:07
Sir what I’m trying to say is my friend in his previous dvlottery admitted that he was married ( with a different girl then) and played with the girl as married though they had no marriage certificate and was not selected and was later sepreted!!! And he later got married legally with a different girl and won the dv 2020?! So my question is if it is possible he will be denied a visa?? Or your advice on that situation thanks sir!!
May 20, 2020 at 04:13
Well yeah – your friend clearly has problems in telling the truth – and that could cause problems.
May 20, 2020 at 04:16
So what’s your advice on this sir please?
May 20, 2020 at 04:40
Well that is up to your friend. If the embassies reopen, and he is now telling the truth, he can proceed and hope they don’t consider him dishonest. It’s a risk – but there is no way to eliminate the risk.
May 20, 2020 at 04:42
Thanks sir
May 21, 2020 at 13:52
Hello Brit,
Thank you for the amazing advice. I entered the 2021 session and entered as married. We had a traditional marriage. What happens if I am selected?
What do you advice that I do in this scenario.
Regards
David
May 22, 2020 at 03:58
IF selected, ask questions then.
May 23, 2020 at 17:35
Thank you sir
May 25, 2020 at 01:37
Brit please I entered dv in 2018 Where they didn’t take my identification documents ie Passport. In 2020 I entered with my identification card ie Passport, can they know that I am the same person who entered in 2018 consider the fact that I used different address in each entering ?? I need answers please
May 25, 2020 at 13:18
That’s a strange question which would only be asked by someone who has not been truthful. I can’t help you lie, or make you feel better about lies you have told.
May 25, 2020 at 17:01
Brit it sound strange but is not . I used my new address for my 2020 dv process , however I forget my previous address and did not thought of it . So I was thinking that since i didn’t provide my passport in 2018 , with my 2020 dv they can’t use my passport to check I was the one who entered in 2018.
May 25, 2020 at 17:13
Fine. But the point is why are you worried about it…
May 27, 2020 at 21:47
ds260 required addresses you have leaved previous and i used only one address because I couldn’t remember my old address as I am in different city . I wanted to be sure if they can’t used my name to check that I used my previous address in my previous dv entry ??
May 27, 2020 at 23:04
Please. Are you really trying to say you can’t remember one previous address? Do you expect anyone to believe that?
Yes they can check the previously given info.
May 28, 2020 at 00:23
Hi Brit,I have child by a girl at the age of 23 which of course we were boy n girl friend,later she left me n when far away to were her mother was living n get into another relationship which she born another child for another man,so she stop communicating with me so I never knew were specific she was living, after getting the fact that she have born by another man, luckily God sent my wife n we married legally,we play the 2018 dv together n won despite at that Time my child was not close to me,now we have settled every thing and my son is closed to me now,my question is:
Can are add my child in our ds260 form so we all can sat for our interview?
May 28, 2020 at 04:20
If you left any child off the entry that should have been listed – you will be disqualified.
May 29, 2020 at 08:14
Thank you Brit for your benevolence towards DV winners.i need your help. I have two children with my girlfriend.There are family issues that wont allow us to marry now. One was born in January 2019 before the announcement of dv 2020 winners and another born in May 2020. I have been scheduled for an interview and it has been canceled due to covid-19.i did not fill Ds260 for both because they are too young to travel with me.
1 will this affect my case?
2 do i need to carry the children to the interview if am rescheduled?
3 Will birth cert alone be enough to convince the consular officer that they are indeed my children
4 Any advise that will help my case will be appreciate
Than you.
May 29, 2020 at 20:54
1. No
2. Not if you are not taking them. I hope you listed them on your DS260 though.
3. That’s not important if they are not going with you.
May 30, 2020 at 06:28
2 The first one is on DS260 but the last one was born after i have been scheduled for an interview but canceled due to civic-19
A so please how to i add the last one.
B should i inform kcc or the local embassy
May 30, 2020 at 16:54
Contact the embassy for everything.
June 6, 2020 at 20:02
Hi Brit,
I am glad that I found this website today. Thanks for all your advices.
I would like to ask you about few things below:
1. Today I checked my status on the DV lottery website and My CN is 2021EU00024***. How my chances are here?
2. I filled the application at the end of October 2019 for DV 2021. However, as far as I remember I made a slight mistake there in my application.
The mistake is that, due to the quick fillout in the application my status has been registered as unmarried. I realized the mistake after I submitted the application and I could not create another one as it would be a duplicate I thought and left the application as I filled it unmarried. However, I am married with my spouse since April 2019 and we have a legal marriage certificate since April 2019 which indicate that we are both a legally married couple. But we do not have children yet. I don’t know what I can do now? What can I do in this case? Only I have filled the application for myself, my wife could not fill it since she was busy with her studies and work at that time.
Your advice is appreciated. Thank you in advance.
Best regards,
Ales
June 6, 2020 at 20:19
Point 2 is a fatal mistake. You broke a cardinal rule, and there is no way to fix it. Disqualification is certain. You should not proceed with the application.
June 6, 2020 at 20:36
Thanks for your reply Brit.
So, do you think it is not even worth to fill the DS-260 or contacting the KCC or explain the situation?
I think there should be a wayout / exceptions or would hiring a lawyer help? Or should I better forget it?
By the way, this is the first time I have been selected in the last 11 years and I made a unforgivable mistake here. I fill the DV lottery applications since 2008.
Dear God, I am married in 2019 and I made a mistake in my DV application that I have been waiting for to win since past 11 years. What an unfortunate situation.
Please, people be careful when you fill. Do not fall to my unfortunate situation.
I think I was a bit careless when filling the application since I have been unsucessful in the past 11 years and I believe that I filled it very fast which cost me everything now.
June 6, 2020 at 22:54
There is no one, and nothing that can help. No one knows more about this process than I do, and I am 100% certain that you cannot fix this. It is clear in all their guides, there were notes about it on the entry form, the law is 100% clear, and this is not a matter of discretion for the CO – they have no choice but to disqualify you.
It would be a waste of money to proceed. I’m sorry. to be the bearer of bad news, but at least you won’t spend $1000 to find out after some months.
June 6, 2020 at 20:51
Hi Brit, Its So nice of you answering all the questions spic & span. Well I have a question about my friend, It might sound awkward for you but please answer it being honest and clear. My best friend fell in love with a girl 2 years ago and consecutively he applied for the DV both year (In 2018 and 2019) from Nepal with a “Married” status for the leverage of getting more chance of being selected for it because they were intended to be married later however, they were not married apparently at the time they applied, and didn’t also get selected though for the lottery for both years. Although he had been applying for it for continuously from past more than 5 years with “unmarried” status before when he wasn’t in the relationship with her. Now and they are separated entirely. What status should he mention in the application for upcoming DV program( in 2020)? Unmarried or Divorced or does he even qualify to apply for DV anymore? Does American government keeps each and every record of the previously applied applicant for further reference even though if not selected or they just dismiss the non selected applicant’s details and move on with the winners. And can this leads to a permanent ban from US for him to apply again in any way( any other visa other than DV, which he has also applied (in 2017) for a Student F1 visa and got refused 2 times). Also could applying for DV Lottery in the previous years be the reason of his student visa denial?
It would be so helpful if you can answer all my questions rationally.
Thank You.
June 6, 2020 at 23:05
It’s ironic you are telling me to be honest. I am always honest. Your “friend” on the other hand is a liar or an idiot. Possibly both. Telling lies is always stupid, telling lies to the US government on electronic forms is especially dumb. From now on you (or is it he) should tell the truth.
I hope that was clear enough.
June 6, 2020 at 21:59
Hi Brits,
My wife won the DV lottery 2021, we got married recently 2/2020 before the result. I’m living in US and she is living in Africa. from your previous post I knew she can add me without problem, my question is my name in marriage certificate is 4 names different from my name here in US since it is only three names, what can I do in this case.
Thanks
June 6, 2020 at 23:11
Give all the names.
June 7, 2020 at 03:02
Thank You Simon for these great posts.
June 7, 2020 at 04:43
Thanks for reading them!
November 9, 2020 at 22:09
Is it possible for someone who is legally married to play the DV lottery with out their marriage mate?
November 9, 2020 at 23:09
That person can enter, but will be disqualified later.
June 7, 2020 at 08:37
Thanks so much but my case is different. I won this dvlottery last year 2020 ND unfortunately I couldn’t get the visa base on my educational background. But this year my newly wedded wife has won it. About at the time I apply for her we were almost in the process of getting married. So now we’re married and I want to know that whether it’s going to create a problem if she attached me to her process
June 7, 2020 at 08:58
Asare she would have to fill the Ds-260 for herself and you as well stating each other as spouses. She can upload the marriage cert if there’s a place to do so if not you just send the marriage cert along side with other civil docs when its requested.
There is no problem attaching you to her as a derivative however you would need to prove that your marriage isn’t a green card /sham marriage. Britsimon has a lot to cover on that so take time and read through the FAQ and ask questions he will help you. Also try and join the Dv 2021 Ghana Selectees forum and you can also read the previous Ghana selectees forum messages. I’m from Ghana as well bro.
July 11, 2020 at 12:07
Dv 2021 Ghana selectees forum. Is it on Facebook?
I’m from Ghana too
June 7, 2020 at 14:13
No problem – as long as you did not lie in your previous application.
June 7, 2020 at 18:59
Do they even look at previous year’s application?
June 7, 2020 at 19:36
They can, of course.
June 26, 2020 at 03:12
Hello Britsimon,
They check only the previous year or … ?
June 26, 2020 at 04:32
I don’t know.
June 15, 2020 at 15:40
Hi BritSimon
I played the lottery while I’m here in UAE and I just won.
But the problem now is I have to return to my home country for good because I already plan to go back home.So can I have my interview in my own country?instead of UAE where I played?
June 15, 2020 at 22:51
They schedule the interview where you live.