SEVIS Job Aid: Update School Officials

This job aid is a quick-reference for adding, editing, or removing designated school officials (DSOs) or principal designated school officials (PDSOs). To use this job aid:

Find the desired Action below.
Go to the Scenario section that best applies to your school.
Follow the associated process.

Action	Scenario
Provide proof of citizenship or LPR status	Provide Proof of Citizenship/Lawful Permanent Residence Status
Add DSO	PDSO Updates Form I-17 to Add DSO Who is NOT Listed on Another Form I-17 or Form DS-3036 PDSO Updates Form I-17 to Add DSO Who is Listed on Another Form I-17 or Form DS-3036 PDSO Adds DSO When Form I-17 is Locked
Change SEVIS roles of current school officials, including changing the PDSO role	PDSO Updates Form I-17 to Change School Official Roles (includes changing own role to DSO) Head of School Initiates PDSO Change When PDSO is Unavailable
Update official	Update School Official
Delete official	Delete School Official

Per DHS interim final rule, Removal of Obsolete Procedures and Requirements Related to F, J, and M Nonimmigrants (87 FR 75891), schools can submit an electronically signed Form I-17 with either:

A digitally reproduced copy of a wet signature.
A signature generated by electronic signature software.

DSOs may also continue to scan a Form I-17 that contains an original wet signature and submit the form electronically.

When adding someone to your school’s Form I-17 as a DSO or PDSO, submit documents establishing their status as a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (LPR):

Status of Official	Acceptable Documents
U.S. Citizen	U.S. passport or passport card U.S. birth certificate Naturalization or Citizenship Certificate
Lawful Permanent Resident	Alien Registration Card

If the name on the citizenship/LPR documents does not match the name to be used in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), also submit copies of legal documents, such as: state-issued marriage certificates, divorce decrees or court orders that show the legal name change.

PDSOs use this process when they edit the Form I-17 to add someone who is NOT a SEVIS official at another school or exchange visitor sponsor.

Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) adjudicates this update.

Step	Action
1. Collect documents	PDSO: Collects documents from new DSO establishing citizenship/LPR status. Note: See Provide Proof of Citizenship/Lawful Permanent Residence Status section for more details. Collects the documentation showing the legal name change, if name on document differs; for example: court order, state-issued marriage certificate, etc.
2. Add new official	PDSO: Logs into SEVIS Goes to the School Information page Clicks Update School Information (Form I-17). Clicks Page 6: School Officials. Clicks Add New Official. Enters information for the new DSO, who has never been an official in SEVIS or cannot remember their previous SEVIS username. Selects the instructional sites the DSO will serve Clicks Submit. Note: If this user matches another SEVIS active school or exchange visitor sponsor official, SEVIS will display a validation error. Confirm with your new school official if they have an existing active SEVIS role. If yes, click Cancel. Using the school official's SEVIS username, add as an existing official. If not, click Add again on the Edit School Information (Form I-17), Add Official page. The Update School Information (Form I-17), School Official page opens with the new official listed. Note: New official can only be added as a DSO. Once SEVP has approved the new DSO, the PDSO can make the DSO a PDSO using the Change School Official Roles function. See PDSO Updates Form I 17 to Change School Official Roles section for more details.
3. SEVIS action	SEVIS adds person to list of officials.
4. Print, sign and scan forms	PDSO: Clicks Print Petition. Signs required documents: Form I-17: PDSO can sign in lieu of school president or owner. Form I-17A: PDSO and new DSO must sign. Scans and saves the signed Form I-17 for electronic uploading. Note: Have all supporting documentation ready to upload before completing the PDSO Attestation and clicking Continue. Once the PDSO completes the attestation and clicks Continue, the petition is locked. The Print button will no longer display, and the PDSO will not be able to print the updated Form I-17 for signatures. If the school needs to gather Form I-17 signatures or supporting documentation, use the left Navigation Pane to return to the form and save the petition as a draft.
5. Submit update	PDSO: Completes the PDSO Attestation Enters SEVIS password. Clicks Continue only when the school is ready to submit the petition along with ALL required supporting evidence. The Upload Evidence: Form I-17 page opens.
6. Upload Evidence and Submit Petition	PDSO: Clicks Upload Evidence. See the Form I-17: Upload Evidence Help Hub article. Uses the Upload Evidence modal to browse for, label and upload necessary files. Click Submit Petition when all necessary evidence is uploaded and ready to complete the petition submission process.
7. SEVIS action	SEVIS locks the Form I-17. Note: The school will not be able to edit the Form I-17 until after adjudication.

PDSOs use this process when they edit the Form I-17 to add someone who is a SEVIS official at another school or exchange program.

This process does not require SEVP adjudication but does require PDSO attestation, Form I-17 submission, and submission of documents.

Step	Action
1. Collect documents	PDSO: Collects documents from new DSO establishing U.S. citizenship/LPR status Note: See Provide Proof of Citizenship/Lawful Permanent Residence Status section for more details. Collects the documentation showing the legal name change, if name on documents differs; for example: court order, state-issued marriage certificate, etc.
2. Add existing official	PDSO: Logs into SEVIS. Goes to the School Information page. Clicks Update School Information (Form I-17). Clicks Page 6: School Officials. Enters SEVIS username. Clicks Add Existing Official. Selects the instructional sites where the DSO will serve. Clicks Submit. Note: PDSO can only assign the DSO role. To make the DSO a PDSO, see PDSO Updates Form I 17 to Change School Official Roles section for more details
3. SEVIS action	SEVIS adds person to list of officials
4. Submit update	PDSO clicks Submit in the Navigation Pane on left of Update School Information page or Next at the bottom of the page.
5. Sign forms, scan, and email documents	PDSO: Returns to the School Information page. Clicks Print Petition. Completes the attestation. Signs required documents: Form I-17: PDSO can sign in lieu of school president or owner. Form I-17A: PDSO and new DSO must sign. Scans documents. Immediately emails documents with name of school and school code in subject line to FormI17SupportingEvidence@ice.dhs.gov.

PDSOs use this process if they cannot edit a locked Form I-17.

Step	Action
1. Collect documents	PDSO: Collects documents from new DSO establishing U.S. citizenship/LPR status. Note: See Provide Proof of Citizenship/Lawful Permanent Residence Status section for more details Collects the documentation showing the legal name change, if name on documents differs; for example: court order, state-issued marriage certificate, etc. Note: SEVP will only enter a name that matches official documents. Prepares required statement on school letterhead stationery. (See description in Required Statement to be Submitted on School Letterhead from PDSO section.) Prepares Form I-17 with changes. Clicks Print I-17 Form on the School Information page to print the current Form I-17 in SEVIS. Modifies the Form I-17 by hand to reflect the changes needed and collects the required signatures.
2. Email SEVP	PDSO: Scans documents. Prepares email: Explains why update cannot be submitted in SEVIS. Provides information from required statement. (See description in Required Statement to be Submitted on School Letterhead from PDSO section.) Attaches supporting documents. Sends email with name of school and school code in Subject line and supporting documents attached to FormI17SupportingEvidence@ice.dhs.gov.
3. SEVP action	SEVP: Adds DSO to list of officials. Assigns role(s) to each campus where the new DSO will serve.
4. SEVIS action	SEVIS notifies DSO of new role(s).

Required Statement to be Submitted on School Letterhead from PDSO
Whose name should be in the statement’s From line?	PDSO
What should the statement contain?	Name of any PDSO/DSO(S) to be added/changed/removed Position title of new PDSO/DSO School Name School Code Work address of new PDSO/DSO Telephone number of new PDSO/DSO(s) Email address of new PDSO/DSO(s) Existing SEVIS username, if known Reason the current PDSO is unable to submit the update(s) in SEVIS If assigning a new PDSO, will the outgoing PDSO be removed from the Form I-17 or reassigned as a DSO Role assignment (PDSO or DSO) for each campus where the official will serve; include campus name and address

Required Statement to be Submitted on School Letterhead from PDSO

Whose name should be in the statement’s From line?

PDSO

What should the statement contain?

Name of any PDSO/DSO(S) to be added/changed/removed
Position title of new PDSO/DSO
School Name
School Code
Work address of new PDSO/DSO
Telephone number of new PDSO/DSO(s)
Email address of new PDSO/DSO(s)
Existing SEVIS username, if known
Reason the current PDSO is unable to submit the update(s) in SEVIS
If assigning a new PDSO, will the outgoing PDSO be removed from the Form I-17 or reassigned as a DSO
Role assignment (PDSO or DSO) for each campus where the official will serve; include campus name and address

PDSOs use this process to change the role of officials at their school's individual campuses without removing themselves as an official from that school.

Examples of change of roles for school officials:

Current PDSO takes maternity or paternity leave, and another DSO at the school serves as acting PDSO until the new parent returns.
PDSO assigns PDSO role at any or all campuses to existing DSO and changes own role to DSO. (If the original PDSO is leaving the school, the new PDSO must delete the original PDSO after this step is complete.)
DSO or PDSO is reassigned to another campus.

These changes are not adjudicated by SEVP and take effect immediately. School officials will notice the reassignments when they next log in to SEVIS.

Step	Action
1. Assign role(s)	PDSO: Logs into SEVIS Navigates to the School Information page Clicks Update School Information (Form I-17) Clicks Page 6: School Officials. Clicks the Roles link for the campus where the official’s role needs to be changed. Reassigns roles Clicks Submit in the modal.
2. Sign forms, scan and email documents	PDSO: Returns to the School Information page Clicks Print Petition. Signs required documents: Form I-17: PDSO can sign in lieu of school president or owner. Form I-17A: Officials whose roles change. Completes attestation. Scans documents. Immediately emails documents with name of school and school code in Subject line to FormI17SupportingEvidence@ice.dhs.gov.
3. SEVIS action	SEVIS: Processes and accepts the role changes in SEVIS. Notifies users of new roles.
4. Log in to SEVIS	School officials are assigned to their new roles the next time they log in to SEVIS.

Heads of school use this process when the PDSO is not available to process a change in school officials.

This process requires SEVP adjudication.

Step	Action
1. Collect documents	Head of school: Collects documents from new DSO establishing U.S. citizenship/LPR status. Note: See Provide Proof of Citizenship/Lawful Permanent Residence Status section for more details. Collects the documentation showing the legal name change, if name on documents differs; for example: court order, state-issued marriage certificate, etc. Prepares required statement on school letterhead stationery. (See description in Required Statement to be Submitted on School Letterhead from Head of School section.)
2. Email SEVP	Head of school: Scans documents Prepares email: Explains why update cannot be submitted in SEVIS Provides information from required statement Attaches supporting documents. Sends email with name of school and school code in Subject line and supporting documents attached to FormI17SupportingEvidence@ice.dhs.gov.
3. SEVP action	SEVP: Adds DSO to list of officials. Assigns role(s) to each campus where the new DSO will serve.
4. SEVIS action	SEVIS notifies PDSO of new role(s).

Required Statement to be Submitted on School Letterhead from Head of School
Whose name should be in the statement's From line?	Head of school
What should the statement contain?	School Name and School Code Name of new PDSO/DSO(s) to be added Previous SEVIS user name of new PDSO/DSO, if applicable Position title of new PDSO/DSO(s) Work address of new PDSO/DSO Role assignment (PDSO or DSO) for each campus the official will serve; include campus address Telephone number of any new PDSO/DSO(s) Email address of any new PDSO/DSO(s) Reason current PDSO is unable to submit the update(s) in SEVIS. If assigning new PDSO: Will outgoing PDSO be removed from Form I-17 or reassigned as a DSO? Role assignment (PDSO or DSO) for each campus where old PDSO will serve (include campus addresses).

Required Statement to be Submitted on School Letterhead from Head of School

Whose name should be in the statement's From line?

Head of school

What should the statement contain?

School Name and School Code
Name of new PDSO/DSO(s) to be added
Previous SEVIS user name of new PDSO/DSO, if applicable
Position title of new PDSO/DSO(s)
Work address of new PDSO/DSO
Role assignment (PDSO or DSO) for each campus the official will serve; include campus address
Telephone number of any new PDSO/DSO(s)
Email address of any new PDSO/DSO(s)
Reason current PDSO is unable to submit the update(s) in SEVIS.
If assigning new PDSO:
- Will outgoing PDSO be removed from Form I-17 or reassigned as a DSO?
- Role assignment (PDSO or DSO) for each campus where old PDSO will serve (include campus addresses).

PDSOs use this process to update information about a school official.

Step	Action
1. Collect documents	PDSO collects the documentation showing the legal name change, if name on documents differs; for example: court order, state-issued marriage certificate, etc.
2. Update Official	PDSO: Logs into SEVIS Navigates to the School Information page Clicks Update School Information (Form I-17) Clicks Page 6: School Officials. Clicks the official’s name. The Update Official page opens. Updates information, as needed: Name (Change in this field requires SEVP adjudication.) U.S. citizenship/LPR Status Title Work address Telephone number Email address Clicks Update to submit changes. For changes that do NOT include a name change, go to step 6. For changes that do include a name change, go to Step 3.
3. Print, sign and scan forms	For an official name change only, PDSO: Clicks Print Petition. Signs required documents: Form I-17: PDSO can sign in lieu of school president or owner. Form I-17A: PDSO and DSO with updated information must sign. Scans and saves the signed Form I-17 for electronic uploading. Note: Have all supporting documentation ready to upload before completing the PDSO Attestation and clicking Continue. Once the PDSO completes the attestation and clicks Continue, the petition is locked. The Print button will no longer display, and the PDSO will not be able to print the updated Form I-17 for signatures. If the school needs to gather Form I-17 signatures or supporting documentation, use the left Navigation Pane to return to the form and save the petition as a draft.
4. Submits updates	PDSO: Completes the PDSO Attestation Enters SEVIS password. Clicks Continue only when the school is ready to submit the petition along with ALL required supporting evidence. The Upload Evidence: Form I-17 page opens.
5. Upload Evidence and Submit Petition	PDSO: Clicks Upload Evidence. See the Form I-17: Upload Evidence Help Hub article. Uses the Upload Evidence modal to browse for, label and upload necessary files. Clicks Submit Petition when all necessary evidence is uploaded and ready to complete the petition submission process.
6. SEVIS action	For changes that do not include a name change: SEVIS accepts the changes. Form I-17 remains available for updates. For changes that include a name change: SEVP adjudication is required. SEVIS locks Form I-17, so no changes can be made.

PDSOs use this process to remove an official from all the school’s campuses. The deleted official will lose SEVIS access upon submission.

This process does not require SEVP adjudication. The Form I-17 remains unlocked.

Do not use this process if the official is being removed from a role at one campus, but still needs SEVIS access for another campus. In this instance, reassign campus roles. See PDSO Updates Form I 17 to Change School Official Roles section for more details.

Step	Action
1. Delete official	PDSO: Logs into SEVIS Navigates to the School Information page Clicks Update School Information (Form I-17) Clicks Page 6: School Officials. Clicks Delete Official Confirms deletion. Clicks Submit in the Navigation Pane on left of Update School Information page or Next at the bottom of the page. Completes the PDSO Attestation. Enters SEVIS password. Clicks Continue. The Submit Successful page opens.
2. SEVIS action	SEVIS: Removes official from list of school officials. Removes all role assignments from all campuses. Note: Form I-17 remains available for update.
3. Access lost	Deleted official loses ability to log in to SEVIS to access the school’s records. School officials can still access other schools where they are a PDSO or DSO.

Step

Action

1. Delete official

PDSO:

Logs into SEVIS
Navigates to the School Information page
Clicks Update School Information (Form I-17)
Clicks Page 6: School Officials.
Clicks Delete Official
Confirms deletion.
Clicks Submit in the Navigation Pane on left of Update School Information page or Next at the bottom of the page.
Completes the PDSO Attestation.
Enters SEVIS password.
Clicks Continue. The Submit Successful page opens.

2. SEVIS action

SEVIS:

Removes official from list of school officials.
Removes all role assignments from all campuses.

Note: Form I-17 remains available for update.

3. Access lost

Deleted official loses ability to log in to SEVIS to access the school’s records. School officials can still access other schools where they are a PDSO or DSO.

SEVIS Help Hub