How should names be entered into SEVIS?
Name submissions must be consistent on all official travel documents (passports, Forms I-20, and Forms I-94). The earliest official document sets the standard. For most nonimmigrant students, this is the SEVIS record that creates the initial Form I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Status. • When you create an initial record in SEVIS, use the name exactly as it appears on the nonimmigrant’s passport. If no passport is available use the name on the birth certificate (and marriage certificate if applicable). If neither of these documents is available, instruct the nonimmigrant to carefully verify spelling and name sequence. • If the student’s language uses an alphabet other than English, use the name provided by the student on his or her application. Be certain that the student understands the United States standards for first and last name, and enters this information correctly on application forms. If the nonimmigrant has only one name, this must be used as the last name.
