Hi everyone. I am currently filling out the DS-160 form for my B1/B2 visa application and I have hit a wall at the Family Information section.
The form asks for my parents’ full names and dates of birth. The problem is that I was raised by my aunt and uncle, and I have absolutely no contact with my biological parents, nor do I know their current details or birth dates.
Is it acceptable to check the “Do Not Know” box for both parents? I am worried that leaving this blank or unknown will automatically flag my application as incomplete or suspicious to the consular officer. Has anyone else successfully applied with this section marked as unknown?
Just a heads-up, make sure you don’t leave it completely blank if the form allows typing. Usually, the ‘Do Not Know’ box disables the text field, but if it doesn’t, typing ‘UNK’ is the standard logic check.
yes, you can select “Do Not Know” — but it’s not ideal and will raise questions.
From a consular perspective on a B1/B2 visa:
That field exists for cases like yours, so using it won’t make your application incomplete
But if both parents are unknown, it naturally triggers curiosity during the interview
Why officers care:
Family background helps them assess your ties and personal history. When it’s missing, they’ll want to understand why.
What I’d recommend (more strategic than just ticking “Do Not Know”):
If you know anything at all (even partial names), include it
If truly nothing, then:
select “Do Not Know”
be ready to clearly explain: raised by aunt/uncle, no contact with biological parents
At the interview:
Keep it simple and factual — no need for a long story
Consistency matters more than completeness here
Reality check:
It won’t get you rejected on its own, but combined with a weak profile, it can add to doubt. So make sure the rest of your application (job, finances, travel purpose) is solid and clean.
Plenty of applicants have been approved with this section marked unknown — the key is how you handle it confidently and consistently.
Everyone’s roots are different.