Form I-17 Petition Update - Manage School Officials

Last updated: April 4, 2024

Quick Links:

Overview
Add School Official
Assign or Reassign Campus Roles
Update School Official's Information
Delete School Official
Print Updated Form I-17
Required Signatures

A school certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) must have a principal designated school official (PDSO) for each campus listed on the Form I-17. The school can have as many designated school officials (DSO) as needed to manage the F or M program(s). PDSOs and DSOs must be approved by SEVP and are the only people at the school authorized to use the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).

PDSO/DSOs cannot share their SEVIS log in information or log into the system on behalf of another user.

PDSOs can do everything a DSO can do, but they also have additional duties, such as filing for recertification and ensuring the school’s Form I-17 accurately lists the school’s officials. PDSOs update the Form I-17 to:

Add officials to the school so they can carry out duties in SEVIS.
Assign or reassign the roles officials have at each of the school’s campuses.
Update school official information, such as:
- Name changes
- Title
- Email address or telephone
- Campus role
Delete officials who leave the school or who no longer need SEVIS access for the school.

These four easy functions—whether alone, in combination, or in sequence—are all a PDSO needs to keep the listing of officials on the Form I-17 up to date, even in complex cases.

See Update School Officials Job Aid in SEVIS Help Hub for lists of several scenarios that provide step-by-step guidance for adding, editing, or removing DSOs or PDSOs.

Importance of Careful Planning

SEVIS locks the Form I-17 when a PDSO an/or DSO makes a change that requires adjudication. SEVIS also locks the form when the PDSO files for recertification.

Field	Change	Field Adjudicated/ Not Adjudicated	Field Locked/ Not Locked (until adjudicated)
Last Name	Change	Adjudicated	Locked
First Name	Change	Adjudicated	Locked
Middle Name	Change	Adjudicated	Locked
School Official	Delete	Not Adjudicated	Not Locked
School Official (New)	Add	Adjudicated	Locked
School Official (Existing)	Add	Not Adjudicated	Not Locked
Address	Edit	Not Adjudicated	Not Locked
Email Address	Edit	Not Adjudicated	Not Locked
Telephone Number	Edit	Not Adjudicated	Not Locked
Official U.S Citizen or Legal Permanent Resident	Edit	Not Adjudicated	Not Locked

When the Form I-17 is locked for a petition update, you can change non-adjudicated fields.
DSOs cannot be deleted once the Form I-17 is locked for Recertification; except by deleting them during the Annual Verification process, December 2nd – March 2nd, when PDSOs have the one opportunity to remove school officials at a school pending recertification.

You cannot access the locked fields on the Form I-17 during either of these processes unless:

SEVP cancels the pending update at the request of the school.
SEVP adjudicates the update or recertification petition.

For quicker processing of PDSO/DSO updates:

File PDSO/DSO updates separately from other types of Form I-17 updates.
Submit changes to PDSO at least one month in advance of the current PDSO leaving, in case of error, denial, or cancellation.
Collect any required supporting evidence, including the signed Form I-17, prior to logging in to submit petition updates in SEVIS.
Upload all required evidence in SEVIS.
Email formi17supportingevidence@ice.dhs.gov if you need to make changes to school officials while the petition is locked.

Regulations and SEVP Guidance

PDSOs must read and understand the regulations and SEVP guidance on managing school officials.

The Form I-17 must be updated within 21 days of any change in school or official information.

You can find information about the evidence required at the time of filing below, or at www.ice.gov/sevis/schools under the Certification section:

Federal regulations on Designated Official 8 CFR 214.3(l)
Federal regulations on staffing/personnel 8 CFR 214.4(a)(2)(xiii)
SEVP Fact Sheet: Designated School Official Submissions

Before adding a DSO to a Form I-17, it is important to determine whether the person is a new official or an existing official. This determination affects the process slightly.

Type of Official	Implications
New Official	This is someone who has never been an authorized PDSO an/or DSO and/or Responsible Officer (RO)/Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) in SEVIS, even at another school. SEVP must adjudicate this addition to the Form I-17. You must submit: Signed Form I-17, with all required signatures Proof of citizenship or lawful permanent residency (LPR) of the new PDSO an/or DSOs Copy of court ordered document granting the name change, if the name on the citizenship/LPR documents differ from the name entered in SEVIS Following adjudication, SEVIS will email the new official with: SEVIS username Instructions for creating a password and accessing SEVIS
Existing Official	This is someone who is or has been a PDSO, DSO, RO, or ARO at another school If the person is not listed on a Form I-17 or Form DS-3036 at another school when he or she is added to the Form I-17, SEVP must approve the addition. If the person is an active user in SEVIS, when added to the Form I‑17, and the form is attested to and submitted by the PDSO, SEVIS immediately accepts the change. The new official will have immediate access to the new school in SEVIS. However, you must still submit: Properly signed Form I-17 Proof of citizenship or lawful permanent residency for each new PDSO or DSO in a new PDSO or DSO role. Copy of court ordered document granting the name change, if the name on the citizenship/LPR documents differ from the name entered in SEVIS New official will keep his or her SEVIS username. SEVIS will notify the new DSO of the new role at the school.

Type of Official

Implications

New Official

This is someone who has never been an authorized PDSO an/or DSO and/or Responsible Officer (RO)/Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) in SEVIS, even at another school.
SEVP must adjudicate this addition to the Form I-17.
You must submit:
- Signed Form I-17, with all required signatures
- Proof of citizenship or lawful permanent residency (LPR) of the new PDSO an/or DSOs
- Copy of court ordered document granting the name change, if the name on the citizenship/LPR documents differ from the name entered in SEVIS
Following adjudication, SEVIS will email the new official with:
- SEVIS username
- Instructions for creating a password and accessing SEVIS

Existing Official

This is someone who is or has been a PDSO, DSO, RO, or ARO at another school
If the person is not listed on a Form I-17 or Form DS-3036 at another school when he or she is added to the Form I-17, SEVP must approve the addition.
If the person is an active user in SEVIS, when added to the Form I‑17, and the form is attested to and submitted by the PDSO, SEVIS immediately accepts the change. The new official will have immediate access to the new school in SEVIS. However, you must still submit:
- Properly signed Form I-17
- Proof of citizenship or lawful permanent residency for each new PDSO or DSO in a new PDSO or DSO role.
- Copy of court ordered document granting the name change, if the name on the citizenship/LPR documents differ from the name entered in SEVIS
New official will keep his or her SEVIS username.
SEVIS will notify the new DSO of the new role at the school.

If the existing official cannot remember his or her previous SEVIS username, add the person as a new official and notify SEVP in the supporting evidence that this person has had a SEVIS username in the past.
If the new DSO is also a RO or ARO for an Exchange Visitor Program, he or she will be able to access both J and F/M SEVIS with a single logon.

Process at a Glance: Add School Official

Step	Description
1	PDSO adds school official to Form I-17, as either a new official or existing official.
2	PDSO assigns DSO role for each instructional site the official will serve.
3	PDSO edits official’s role assignment, if the official will serve as a PDSO at one or more instructional site.
4	PDSO edits the official’s information, if needed.
5	PDSO attests to and submits the Form I-17 update in SEVIS.
6	PDSO and new official sign the Form I-17.
7	PDSO scans and uploads the signed Form I-17 and supporting evidence to SEVP.

Proof of U.S. Citizenship/Lawful Permanent Residency Status

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

Status of Official	Acceptable Document(s)
U.S. Citizen	U.S. passport or passport card (can be expired) U.S. birth certificate Naturalization or Citizenship Certificate Note: Officials only need to provide one of the documents listed above to prove U.S. citizenship.
Lawful Permanent Resident	Unexpired Alien Registration Card

Status of Official

Acceptable Document(s)

U.S. Citizen

U.S. passport or passport card (can be expired)
U.S. birth certificate
Naturalization or Citizenship Certificate

Note: Officials only need to provide one of the documents listed above to prove U.S. citizenship.

Lawful Permanent Resident

Unexpired Alien Registration Card

If the name on their citizenship/LPR documents does not match the name to be used in SEVIS, you must also submit copies of legal documents; such as, marriage certificates, divorce decrees, or court orders; showing the legal name change.

Add New Official

Required fields are marked by a red asterisk.
Adjudicated fields are marked by an hourglass.
Once a PDSO attests to and submits a Form I-17 update that includes a change to an adjudicated field, the Form I-17 is locked for any further updates until the update is adjudicated by SEVP’s School Certification Unit (SCU).
When a PDSO attests to and submits changes to only unadjudicated fields, the changes are accepted immediately, and the Form I-17 remains unlocked for future edits.

To add a new school official:

1. Go to the Listing of Schools page.

the Listing of Schools page with an SEVP school circled

2. Select the school from the drop-down list and then click the link for the school. The School Information page opens.

The School Information page with Update School Information Circled

3. Click Update School Information (Form I-17). The Update School Information (Form I-17), Contact Information page opens.

The Update School Information (Form I-17), Contact Information page with School Officials open

4. Click Page 6: School Officials. The Update School Information (Form I-17), School Officials page opens.

The Update School Information (Form I-17), School Officials page with Add New Official circled

5. Click Add a New Official. The Edit School Information (Form I-17), Add Official page opens.

Add Official page with Add button in red.

6. Enter information about the new official.

Field	Description
Last Name*	Enter the new official’s legal last name, as it appears on the proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency, or a document showing legal name change. This is a required field.
First Name *	Enter the new official’s legal first name, as it appears on the proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency, or a document showing legal name change. This is a required field.
Middle Name	Enter the new official’s legal middle name, as it appears on the proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency, or a document showing legal name change.
Suffix	Select the appropriate suffix from the drop-down list, if the official has one.
The Official is*	Select either United States Citizen or Legal Permanent Resident. This is a required field.
A-Number	Note: This field appears if Legal Permanent Resident is selected. Enter the alien number, formatted as A123456789, if the school official is an LPR of the United States. This field is required, if Legal Permanent Resident is selected.
Title*	Enter the new official’s title at the school. This is a required field.
Address*	Click Add Address to open the Address Doctor modal. Enter the address for the new official’s work site. SEVIS verifies the validity of the address entered. Note: Refer to the SEVIS Address Guide for information on SEVIS address standards. This is a required field.
Email Address*	Enter the new official’s work email address. Note: This cannot be an email address that is shared with other people. This is a required field.
Telephone Number*	Enter the new official’s work telephone number.\ This is a required field.
Assign Role*	Click the checkbox(es) to assign the new official to one or more campuses. This is a required field.

7. Click Add:

If this user matches any other SEVIS active school, or exchange visitor sponsor official, SEVIS will display this validation error:

Validation Error if a newly added SEVIS user matches any other SEVIS active school official or exchange visitor sponsor.

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.

The School Official Information page opens with the new official listed

The PDSO must attest to and submit the Form I-17 before the DSO addition is completed. See the Submit Form I-17 Update School Officials section for further instructions on completing the submission process.

Add Existing Official

To add an existing school official:

Go to the Update School Information (Form I-17), School Officials page. (Refer to Add New Official section, Steps 1-4, for navigation instructions to Update School Information (Form I-17), School Officials page.)

the Update School Information (Form I-17), School Officials page.

Enter the official’s SEVIS Username.
Click Add an Existing Official. The Add Existing Official modal opens.

4. Verify the existing school official’s information to assure this is the official you want to add.

SEVIS displays the official’s current information in SEVIS. If the information reflects contact information at another school, you can edit the information after adding them to your school. See Update School Official’s Information for instructions on updating an official’s information.

Select the appropriate checkbox(es) for the campus(es) the official will be assigned to.
Choose one of the following:
- Cancel: Returns the user to the School Officials page without adding the new official.
- Submit: Adds the official to the Form I-17 and returns the user to the Update School Information (Form I-17), School Officials page. The newly added official is listed on the School Officials page.

the School Officials page, where the newly added official is listed

The PDSO must attest to and submit the Form I-17 update before the DSO addition is completed.

Submit Form I-17 Update School Officials

Only the PDSO is authorized to submit Form I-17 changes to SEVP.

Update School Information (Form I-17), School Officials page when ready to Submit Form I-17 Petition Update for change of School Officials.

After updating the school officials, the PDSO clicks Next or Submit to open the submission page, Edit School Information (Form I-17).

See the Form I-17 Petition Update – Submit article in SEVIS Help Hub for instructions on completing the submission process.
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.

Other function buttons at the bottom of the Update School Information (Form I-17), School Officials page include:

Save Draft: Saves changes made to the Form I-17 in draft without submitting changes.
Print Draft: Prints a draft Form I-17 without submitting changes.
Previous: Returns the user to Page 5: Campuses and Instructional Site without submitting changes.
Next: Forwards the user to the Submit page.
Cancel: Cancels all changes made to the Form I-17 without saving the entered changes and restores the previous, saved values. After confirming the delete action, SEVIS returns to the School Contact page.

Notification of New Officials

Once the new PDSO an/or DSO request has been processed by SEVP, SEVIS sends the new official two emails:

First email: Provides the SEVIS username assigned to the individual.

Email notification with unique user name

Second email: Provides instructions for creating the initial password. It also includes the SEVIS password standards, and a unique link created specifically for that official to create a password in SEVIS.

screen shot of the second email you will receive

The second of two emails received by new officials from SEVIS

If the new official does not access SEVIS within 30 days of receiving the two emails from SEVIS, he/she will have to contact the SEVP Resource Center to have their password reset.

1. When the official clicks the link in the email, the Welcome to the SEVIS System page opens.

2. The official enters his or her username and creates a password.

3. The first time a new school official logs in to SEVIS, the School Official Compliance Agreement page opens.

4. The new school official clicks I Agree to acknowledge compliance with DHS regulations.

Manage School Officials When the Form I-17 is Locked or the PDSO is NOT Available

Adjudicated changes to school officials cannot be made to the Form I-17, if one of the following scenarios occurs:

Form I-17 is locked because of a pending update or pending Recertification.
PDSO is not available to submit the request in SEVIS.

Available resources:

PDSO/DSO Annual Verification article (When managing school officials between December 2- March 2)
SEVP Fact Sheet: Designated School Official Submissions
SEVIS Job Aid: Update School Officials
SEVIS Job Aid: Update School Officials Process Flow Sketches
SEVP Response Center 1-800-892-4829

Add an Official When the Form I-17 Cannot Be Accessed or the PDSO Is NOT Available

To add an official when either of the conditions applies:

When the PDSO is not available, either an existing DSO or the head of the school should collect and scan proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency for the new official.
Prepare the required statement on school letterhead, which includes all the following:

Explanation for why the update cannot be submitted in SEVIS.
School Name and School Code.
Name of new PDSO an/or DSO to be added.
Indicate if new PDSO an/or DSO is an active PDSO or DSO at another school.
Position title of new PDSO an/or DSO.
Role assignment (PDSO or DSO) for each campus the official will serve.
New official’s work address.
New official’s telephone number.
Work email address of any new PDSO an/or DSO.
What to do with old PDSO – changing role to DSO? For all campuses? Remove from Form I-17?
Existing official username, if applicable.
Signature of head of school

3. Print the current Form I-17 and by hand:

Modify the form to reflect any changes to school officials that need to be made.
Collect the appropriate signatures:
PDSO, if available
Head of school
New school official
Scan the form.

Notify SEVP if the PDSO has left the school or if no one is able to access the Form I‑17. Include an explanation of why the Form I-17 cannot be included. This should be signed by the head of school.

4. Email the statement and the scanned documents to formi17supportingevidence@ice.dhs.gov:

Required statement requesting school official addition/adjustment.
Scanned documents, including proof of citizenship/LPR for each new PDSO or DSO.
Signed Form I-17, or an explanation of why the school could not print or does not have access to the Form I-17 signed by the head of school.

List the school name and the school code in the subject line of the email.

SEVP will review the email and supporting documents.

If the request is approved, the new official will be notified of their role and how to access SEVIS.
If denied, SEVP will send an email to the school with a denial explanation.

Edit or Delete an Official When the Form I-17 Is Locked for Recertification or the PDSO Is NOT Available

Deleting a school official is an unadjudicated action. Therefore, a PDSO can delete a school official while the Form I-17 is locked for an update. The school official will be deleted and lose SEVIS access to all campuses for that school.

To edit or delete an official, when the Form I-17 is locked for recertification or the PDSO is not available:

1. Prepare the required statement on school letterhead, which includes all of the following:

Explanation for why the update cannot be submitted in SEVIS.
School Name and School Code.
Description of the needed change(s).

2. Print the current Form I-17 and by hand:

Modify the form to reflect any changes to school officials that need to be made.
Collect the appropriate signatures:
PDSO, if available
Head of school, if PDSO not available
Scan the form.

3. Email the following documents to formi17supportingevidence@ice.dhs.gov.

Required statement.
Signed Form I-17 or an explanation of why the school could not print or does not have access to the Form I-17. The head of school should sign the Form I-17.

List the school name and the school code in the Subject line of the email.

SEVP will review the email and supporting documents.

Use this process to change the role of officials at individual campuses of your school without removing them as an official at your school. These changes are not adjudicated by SEVP and take effect immediately. School officials will notice the reassignments when they next log in to SEVIS.

Examples:

Current PDSO takes maternity or paternity leave and another DSO at the school will serve as acting PDSO until the new parent returns.
PDSO leaves the school and current DSO takes over as PDSO.
DSO or PDSO is reassigned to another campus.

Each campus on the Form I-17 must have one PDSO. This person may be a PDSO at multiple campuses. A school can have an unlimited number of DSOs per campus. However, SEVIS will print a maximum of thirty officials per campus.

Limitation on the printed Form I-17:

SEVIS will only print up to 30 school officials per campus on the Form I-17.
If more officials are needed, contact SEVP.

To assign or reassign campus roles:

1. Go to the School Officials page of the Form I-17 [Page 6: School Officials].

The Roles link is only available if the Current School Officials table is sorted by Campus. The Roles link is not visible when the table is sorted by Official’s Name.

2. Click the Roles link for the campus where the official’s role is to be changed. The Update Roles modal opens.

Every official must be assigned at least one role at one campus listed on the application. If an official is not assigned a role, you cannot submit these changes to the form. Every campus must have one PDSO.

3. Select the role for the official.

4. Click Submit. The School Officials page opens again with the official’s role changed in the Roles column.

5. Click Next. The Submit page opens

The PDSO must attest to and submit the Form I-17 before the new DSO addition is completed. See the Submit Form I-17 Update School Officials section for further instructions on completing the submission process.

Use this process to update information about a school official. This process does not require SEVP adjudication, unless you are updating the first, middle, and/or last name of a PDSO an/or DSO. When the PDSO attests to and submits the non-adjudicated changes on the Submit page, the update is effective immediately, and the Form I-17 remains unlocked.

To update a school official:

1. Go to the Update School Information (Form I-17), School Officials page of the Form I-17 [Page 6: School Officials].

2. Click the official’s name. The Update Official page opens.

3. Update the information, as needed.

Required fields are noted by a red asterisk.
Only changes to adjudicated fields will lock the petition until SEVP approves the update and unlocks the Form I-17. Adjudicated fields are noted with an hourglass and include:
- Last Name
- First Name
- Middle Name
You will not be able to edit the following fields for a pending existing official profile until you have attested to and submitted the I-17 update:
Last Name
- First Name
- Middle Name
- Suffix
- The official is: radio buttons

4. Click Update. The School Officials page reopens.

5. Click Next. The Submit page opens.

If the update includes a DSO name change, at the point of SEVIS submission:

You, the PDSO, and the DSO must sign the Form I-17.
You must upload the signed Form I-17 and documentation of the DSO's legal name change.

For information about both of these steps, see:

Form I-17: View and Print Help Hub Article.
Form I-17: Upload Evidence Help Hub Article.

Use this process to remove an official from all of the school’s campuses on the Form I-17. The deleted official will lose SEVIS access upon submission. This process does not require SEVP adjudication. The Form I-17 remains unlocked.

Deleting a school official is a non-adjudicated field and process. Therefore, a PDSO can delete a school official while the Form I-17 is locked for an update. The school official will be deleted and lose SEVIS access to all campuses for that school upon the PDSO attestation and the Form I-17 submission.
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, simply reassign campus roles.
DSOs cannot be deleted once the Form I-17 is locked for Recertification; except by deleting them during the Annual Verification process, when PDSOs have the one opportunity to remove school officials at a school pending recertification.

To delete a school official:

1. Go to the School Officials page of the Form I-17 [Page 6: School Officials].

the School Officials page with delete official circled

2. Click Delete Official to the right of the official you want to delete. The Delete Official page opens.

The Delete Official page with submit circled

3. Click Submit. SEVIS no longer displays the official on the School Officials page.

the School Officials page with the official deleted

Although the official is no longer listed on the School Officials page, the official does not lose SEVIS access until the Form I-17 is submitted.

4. Click Next. The submission page, Edit School Information (Form I-17) page opens.

The PDSO must attest to and submit the Form I-17 before the new DSO deletion is completed. See the Submit Form I-17 Update School Officials section for further instructions on completing the submission process.

See Form I-17 - View and Print on the Help Hub for information on printing the updated Form I-17.

When updating school officials, the following signatures are required on the PDF version of the Form I-17:

Action	Required Signatures
Add DSO	Form I-17 Continuation page: Head of school or the PDSO signs the page, Certification and Signature by President, Owner, or Head of School Form I-17A Record of Designated School Officials page: New DSO signs the page
Add/Change PDSO	Form I-17 Continuation page: Head of school signs the page, Certification and Signature by President, Owner, or Head of School Form I-17A Record of Designated School Officials page: New PDSO signs the page
Edit School Official Information	Signatures required for name change only: Form I-17 Continuation page: Head of school or PDSO signs the page, Certification and Signature by President, Owner, or Head of School Form I-17A Record of Designated School Officials page: Official, whose information changed, signs the page
Change Roles	Change in DSO campus assignments: Form I-17A Record of Designated School Officials page: Official, whose roles have been changed, signs the page
Delete Official	No signature required

SEVIS Help Hub