Marital Status and Children in filling DV-2024 Lottery Application

This brief guide will give you the answer to the question, which marital status is BEST to use to Apply and Win Green Card (DV) Lottery 2024? Also, DV lottery family application process will be explained too.

This years (2022) DV Lottery Program is called the DV2024 (the year successful applicants may enter the United States) and is scheduled to be closed for applications on November 8, 2022.

Note: Marital status is one of the information you have to declare when doing the DV (Green Card) lottery application.

Marital Status and Children in filling DV-2024 Lottery Application

If you are officially married and with a marriage certificate, the best marital status for you to use is married, and then let both of you apply each one independently and add the other partner as a dependent, it will increase your chances of winning.

If you are customary married and without the legal document marriage certificates, then the best marital status for you to use is single, each one of you should apply as a single person.

If you are not married, then ensure you apply as a single person.

Be truthful in filling information about you, because there is no one marital status that is preferred from the other. They do not prefer married over singles or singles over married.

You just have to indicate the truthful information which you can prove if selected and invited for the interview.

Can husband and wife apply separately for DV lottery?

Yes, if otherwise qualified, a husband and a wife may submit one Green Card (DV) Lottery application each. If you receive a Green Card through the lottery, your spouse and unmarried children under 21 will simultaneously get Green Cards.

Number of children

List the name, date of birth, gender, city/town of birth, and country of birth for all living, unmarried children under 21 years of age, regardless of whether they are living with you or intend to accompany or follow to join you, should you immigrate to the United States. Submit individual photographs of each of your children using the same technical specifications as your own photograph.

Be sure to include:

  • all living natural children;
  • all living children legally adopted by you; and,
  • all living stepchildren who are unmarried and under the age of 21 on the date of your electronic entry, even if you are no longer legally married to the child’s parent, and even if the child does not currently reside with you and/or will not immigrate with you.

Married children and children who are already aged 21 or older when you submit your entry are not eligible for the DV program. However, the Child Status Protection Act protects children from “aging out” in certain circumstances: if you submit your DV entry before your unmarried child turns 21, and the child turns 21 before visa issuance, it is possible that he or she may be treated as though he or she were under 21 for visa processing purposes.

A child who is already a U.S. citizen or LPR when you submit your DV entry will not require or be issued a Diversity Visa; you will not be penalized for either including or omitting such family members from your entry.

Failure to list all children who are eligible or listing someone who is not your child will make you ineligible for a DV, and your spouse and children will also be ineligible as Diversity Visa derivative applicants.

What family members must I include on my DV entry?

If you are married, you must list your spouse and if you have children, you must include all unmarried children under the age of 21. If you are separated, you must still list your spouse. You do not need to list your former spouse if you are legally divorced.

Must I upload a photo for each family member?

Yes, please reference the photo requirements on the DV Lottery Photo Requirements for specific details.

See the Frequently Asked Questions and answers for more information about completing your Electronic Entry for the DV-2024 Program.

DISCLAIMER: This post and content is designed for general information only and is NOT legal advice. This site is not offering any Diversity Visa and is not the official site for DV Lottery program. The information presented in this post should not be construed to be formal legal advice.

If you have any questions about the DV lottery, please contact an immigration professional/officer or a licensed attorney.