The fields in the latest published instructions (DV-2026)
- Name: last/family, first and middle name exactly as in your passport. If you have only one name, enter it as the last name.
- Sex (male or female), birth date, city of birth and country of birth (using the country’s current name).
- Country of eligibility, normally your country of birth; explain any spouse or parent exception.
- Photographs of you, your spouse and each listed child, taken within the last six months.
- Mailing address, country where you live today, phone (optional) and an email address you will keep using.
- Highest level of education, marital status, and the details and photos of your spouse and all unmarried children under 21.
Official sources: DV-2026 instructions and FAQs (latest published) ↗
New from DV-2027: passport and fee
The regulation in force since 10 April 2026 adds your valid, unexpired passport’s number, name, issuing country or authority and expiry date, plus a scan of its biographic and signature page (JPEG/JFIF, 5 MB or less, no PDF), unless a limited exemption applies. It also adds the $1 registration fee paid through Pay.gov. Everything must be typed in the Roman alphabet. Field-by-field DV-2027 instructions have not been published yet.
Official sources: 22 CFR 42.33 (current regulation) ↗ · Passport rule, 91 FR 11891 (11 March 2026) ↗
Time limit and submission
In the DV-2026 cycle you had 60 minutes from opening the form to submit, and the form could not be saved. After submitting, a confirmation page shows your unique confirmation number: write it down and screenshot it.
Official sources: DV-2026 instructions and FAQs (latest published) ↗ · Submit an entry ↗
One entry per person
- Only one entry may be submitted by or for each person in a registration period; all entries are disqualified if there are more.
- If you did not receive a confirmation number, your entry was not recorded: submit again. Once you have a confirmation number, never resubmit.
- Spouses may each submit one entry if each is eligible, listing the whole family.
- Reusing the photo from a previous year’s entry makes you ineligible.
Official sources: Submit an entry ↗ · DV-2026 instructions and FAQs (latest published) ↗ · 22 CFR 42.33 (current regulation) ↗
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to fill in the DV entry form?
In the DV-2026 cycle, 60 minutes from opening the form. It cannot be saved and resumed.
Do I need a passport to enter DV-2027?
Yes. The current regulation requires valid, unexpired passport details and a JPEG scan of the biographic and signature page, unless a limited exemption applies.
What if I submitted twice by mistake?
More than one entry for the same person disqualifies all of them. If the first attempt gave no confirmation number, it was not recorded and is not a duplicate.
Can I write my name in my own alphabet?
No. The entry must be typed in the Roman alphabet, with your name exactly as it appears in your passport.