You will fill out forms for the bank, the landlord, the doctor, school, work and the government. Most use the same patterns. Small mistakes can mean weeks of delay.
Last name, family name and surname mean the same thing.
First name and given name mean the same thing.
Middle name: write it only if it is on your passport. If you have none, leave it blank or write "N/A" if the form insists.
Suffix: Jr., Sr., II. Most newcomers leave it blank.
Copy your name exactly as it appears in your passport, in the same order and spelling, on every official form. Small differences cause problems later with your SSN, bank and taxes.
If you have only one name, see When your name does not fit US forms.
MM/DD/YYYY means month, day, year: November 2, 2026 is 11/02/2026.
Phone numbers: (555) 555-0123. Add +1 only for international use.
Height in feet and inches, weight in pounds. See US units: temperature, miles, pounds, cups and dates.
Country of birth and country of citizenship may be different. Read which one is asked.
Use black ink unless the form says otherwise.
Print in block capitals (separate capital letters, not joined handwriting) when the form says "please print".
Write inside the boxes, one letter per box if there are boxes.
Do not use correction fluid on government forms. If you make a big mistake, start a new copy.
USCIS asks people to write N/A ("not applicable") when a question does not apply to you, and None when the answer to a number question is zero, unless the form's instructions say something else. Many other offices follow the same habit. Leaving boxes empty on a government form can get it sent back.
Signature: your normal handwritten signature, in ink. It does not have to be in English letters.
Print name: your name written clearly, next to the signature.
Initials: the first letters of your names, for example "M.L." for Maria Lopez. Forms ask you to initial each page or a specific rule to show you read it.
Never sign a blank form or a form you have not read. Never let someone else sign for you.
A notarized signature is signed in front of a notary. See Getting something notarized.
Write the apartment number on every form. Use "Apt 5B" or "Unit 5B" in Address line 2.
Mailing address is where mail reaches you. Physical address is where you live and cannot be a PO box.
Fields with a red star (*) are required.
Some websites do not accept accents or apostrophes. Type the plain letters.
Before you submit, save or screenshot the confirmation page and number.
Swapping first and last names.
Writing the day before the month.
Signing in the wrong box, or forgetting to sign at all. An unsigned USCIS form is rejected.
Using an old address or forgetting the apartment number.
Guessing on immigration forms. If a question is unclear, read the form's instructions or ask a qualified person.