VIEW LATEST JOBS IN KENYA TODAY
Learn how to accurately fill in the “City Where You Were Born” field on the DV application form, ensuring correct information for your application.

How to Fill in the “City Where You Were Born” in DV Lottery

Posted on by Tutorials Handbook

When applying for the Diversity Visa (DV) program, one of the fields you must fill out is “City Where You Were Born.” This field can seem straightforward at first glance, but it often causes confusion, especially for applicants born in smaller towns, villages, or areas where the concept of a “city” is not as clearly defined.

READ ALSO: How To Register for Social Health Authority (SHA) Using USSD

In this article, we will break down how to correctly fill out this field, address common concerns, and clarify what to do if you were born in a village, rural area, or smaller town.

What is “City Where You Were Born” in DV Lottery Application Form?

The “City Where You Were Born” field in the Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery application form refers to the specific location of your birth as recorded in official documents. This field is essential for identification and verification purposes during the application process. The U.S. State Department requires this information to confirm your identity and ensure that all details align with your birth records. While the term “city” is used, it encompasses any recognized place of birth, including towns, villages, or rural areas.

When filling out this field, it’s crucial to provide the name of the place exactly as it appears on your birth certificate. This means you should avoid including additional information, such as district, county, or state. For example, if you were born in a small village like Kinango, you would simply enter “Kinango” without adding details about its geographic designation. Accuracy in this field is vital, as discrepancies can lead to complications or potential denials of your visa application.

Understanding the “City Where You Were Born” Field

The Diversity Visa (DV) program asks for the “City Where You Were Born” in order to identify your specific birthplace as recorded in official documents. The U.S. State Department uses this information for identification and verification purposes, which is why it’s crucial that the data you enter matches your birth records.

However, the term “city” in this context refers to the geographical location or locality of your birth, regardless of whether it’s an actual city, town, or village. The form is designed to capture the name of the place where you were born, not necessarily the official designation of that place (city, town, village, etc.).

Why Accuracy Matters

Providing accurate information in this field is essential because discrepancies between what is listed on your birth certificate and what you enter in the form could lead to issues later on. The U.S. State Department will verify your personal details during the application process, and inconsistencies may result in the denial of your visa application. Thus, you must provide the name of the locality exactly as it appears in your birth records.

What to Enter If You Were Born in a Major City

If you were born in a well-known major city, filling in this field is relatively straightforward. For example:

  • If you were born in Nairobi, you simply enter “Nairobi” in the “City Where You Were Born” field.
  • If you were born in Mombasa, you would enter “Mombasa”.

In cases where your birthplace is a recognized city, there is no need to include any additional information such as the district, town, state, county, or province. Only the name of the city itself should be entered.

What to Do If You Were Born in a Small Town or Village

For applicants who were born in smaller towns or villages, the process is similar, even though these places may not be considered “cities” in the official sense. The term “city” in the DV application form refers to the specific location of your birth, whether it is a village, town, or rural area.

Example: Born in Kinango

Let’s say you were born in Kinango, a small town in Kwale County, Kenya. Although Kinango is not a large city, it is still the locality where you were born. Therefore, in the DV application form, you would enter “Kinango” in the “City Where You Were Born” field. You do not need to add additional details like “Kinango District” or “Kinango Town” simply write the name of the town or village as it appears on your birth certificate.

This rule applies to anyone born in a rural or small area. If you were born in a village, you should still enter the name of the village without worrying about its size or designation. The key is that the name should match your official records.

What to Do If You Don’t Know Your Birth City

In some cases, applicants may not know the exact city or village where they were born, especially if they were born in rural areas or if the location is no longer in existence. If you are uncertain about the exact place of birth, here are a few steps you can take:

  • Check Your Birth Certificate: The best source of information is your birth certificate. It should clearly state the location of your birth, whether it’s a city, town, or village.
  • Consult Family Members: If you don’t have access to your birth certificate, ask family members who might know the details.
  • Visit the Local Government Office: In cases where records are unclear or incomplete, you can contact the local registration office in your place of birth for official records or guidance.

If, after all efforts, you still cannot determine the exact city or town of birth, you may enter “Unknown” in the DV application form. However, this should be a last resort, as it may complicate your application.

Special Cases: No Official City of Birth or Place Name Has Changed

In some situations, a person’s birth city may not have an official name, or the name may have changed over time. Here’s how to handle these scenarios:

  • No Official City: If the place where you were born has no official name or is simply a remote area, you should enter the nearest recognized town or city. It’s important to note that this only applies if no official name was ever given to the place of your birth.
  • Place Name Changed: If the name of your birth city, town, or village has changed since you were born, you should still enter the name as it appears on your birth certificate. For example, if the town was called “Oldtown” when you were born, but has since been renamed “Newtown,” you would enter “Oldtown” on the form, as this matches your birth record.

Avoid Common Mistakes

Here are some common mistakes to avoid when filling out the “City Where You Were Born” field:

  • Do Not Include District, Town, City, County or Province: You should only enter the name of the city, town, or village. Avoid including extra geographic details like “district,” “county,” “province,” or “state.” For instance, if you were born in Kinango, do not write “Kinango, Kwale County”—just write “Kinango.”
  • Do Not Use Abbreviations: Always write the full name of the place where you were born, without abbreviations. For example, write “Nairobi” instead of “Nrbi.”
  • Do Not Guess: If you are unsure about the name of the city or town where you were born, do not guess. Instead, take time to find out the correct information to avoid any issues with your application.

Conclusion

Filling out the “City Where You Were Born” field in the Diversity Visa (DV) application form is a critical step that requires attention to detail. Whether you were born in a major city, a small village, or a rural area, the key is to enter the name of your birthplace exactly as it appears on your birth records. Even if your birthplace is a village or a small town, you should still enter its name without adding additional geographic information like the county or province.

READ ALSO: How to Download HELB App on Google Play Store

Taking the time to ensure accuracy in this part of the application can prevent delays or complications later in the process. If you are ever in doubt, consult your birth certificate or local authorities to verify the correct name of your birthplace. By following these guidelines, you will be able to complete this section of the DV application form with confidence, knowing that you are providing the correct information.

FIND AND APPLY FOR THE LATEST JOBS IN KENYA TODAY