Who is considered a dependent?
Spouses and children under the age of 21 are considered dependents. On your application, please list all family members you intend to bring with you when you arrive at USC. You must submit passport copies for all dependents receiving an I-20/DS-2019 from USC. Adding dependents after your I-20 has been issued may create serious delays in issuing new I-20s for you and your family.
If you are expecting a child:
You must submit valid passport copies for all children, including infants and newborns (if the baby is expected to be born prior to travel to the United States). They will be required to receive a dependent I-20/DS-2019 and have a separate F-2/J-2 visa on their passport.
If you are planning to marry before arriving in the U.S.:
We are able to process I-20s and DS-2019s only after we receive a copy of your marriage certificate and a copy of the passport on which your spouse is planning to enter the United States. I-20s to both F-1 and F-2 spouses will be issued together, after marriage, once the necessary documents have been received.
Domestic partners, fiancés, and the applicant’s parents:
As per the guidelines outlined by the Department of Homeland Security, dependents who fall into these categories are not eligible for an F2/J2 visa and therefore cannot be issued dependent I-20s DS-2019s.
How can I get an I-20/DS-2019 for my dependent(s)?
The Office of Graduate Admission will issue I-20s/DS-2019s for dependents as long as the F-1/J-1 principal indicates by the time of admission that they will be bringing F-2 dependents with them during their study at USC. Please make sure to complete the dependent information segment on your application if you know they will be traveling with you.
If the F-1/J-1 principal has already arrived and then decides to bring dependents with them to USC they must request an I-20 or DS-2019 from the Office of International Services (OIS) by completing an I-20/DS-2019 Request Form.