What the DS-260 confirmation page is and where to find it

The DS-260 confirmation page is a receipt that proves you submitted your immigrant visa process to the U.S. State Department. It appears on your screen when ready after you finish filling out the online DS-260 form and click submit. The page shows a confirmation number, the date and time you submitted, and your case number.

You will see this page only once, in the moment after submission. It does not arrive by email, and you cannot log back into the form to retrieve it later. The State Department's online visa process system does not store a copy for you to read afterward. This is why saving or printing it right away matters—it is your only proof that the form reached the system.

The confirmation page appears in the same browser window where you were filling out the form. It typically loads within a few seconds of your final click. If your internet connection drops or your browser closes before the page fully loads, you may not see it, and you will need to contact the National Visa Center (NVC) to confirm receipt.

Key Takeaways

  • The DS-260 confirmation page appears only once, when ready after you submit the form, and the State Department does not email it to you later.
  • You should take a screenshot or print the page to PDF the moment it appears, because closing the browser or refreshing the page will make it disappear.
  • The confirmation page includes a confirmation number and submission timestamp that you will need if you contact the National Visa Center about your case.
  • If you did not save the confirmation page, you can contact the NVC with your case number to request written confirmation that your form was received.
  • Losing the confirmation page does not mean your process was not submitted—it only means you no longer have the receipt.

How to save the confirmation page before it disappears

The moment the confirmation page loads, open your browser's print menu. On Windows, press Ctrl + P. On Mac, press Command + P. A print dialog will open. Instead of selecting a physical printer, look for an option that says "Save as PDF" or "Print to PDF". This option appears in the destination dropdown menu. Select it and choose where on your computer to save the file.

Name the file something you will recognize later, such as "DS-260-Confirmation-[Your-Name]" or "DS-260-[Date]". Save it to a folder you check regularly, such as your Documents folder or a dedicated folder for visa paperwork. The PDF will preserve the exact appearance of the page, including the confirmation number and timestamp.

If printing to PDF is not available on your device, take a screenshot instead. On Windows, press Print Screen, then open an image editor or document program and paste the image. On Mac, press Shift + Command + 3 to capture the entire screen, or Shift + Command + 4 to select just the confirmation page area. The screenshot will save to your desktop automatically. Either method—PDF or screenshot—preserves the information you need.

What information appears on the confirmation page

The DS-260 confirmation page displays several pieces of information. At the top, you will see a confirmation number, which is a unique code assigned to your submission. Below that is the date and time you submitted the form, shown in the time zone of the server (usually Eastern Time). Your National Visa Center case number also appears on the page, along with your name as it was entered in the form.

Some versions of the page include a statement confirming that your form was received and is being processed. This text varies slightly depending on when you submitted and which visa category you are in, but the core message is the same: the form reached the system. Do not expect the page to show your visa interview date, appointment location, or next steps—those details come later, in separate communications from the National Visa Center or the U.S. embassy or consulate handling your case.

What to do if you did not save the confirmation page

If you closed the browser, refreshed the page, or lost the confirmation page before saving it, the form was still submitted. The State Department received it. You straightforward no longer have the receipt. You can still move forward with your visa case.

To get written confirmation that your DS-260 was received, contact the National Visa Center. You will need your case number, which was assigned when your petition was approved and forwarded to the NVC. You can find your case number in any correspondence from the NVC or USCIS. Call the NVC at 1-603-334-0888 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Eastern Time). Have your case number ready when you call. The NVC staff can confirm the submission date and provide you with a reference number for your inquiry.

You can also send a written inquiry to the NVC by mail. Include your case number, full name, date of birth, and a brief explanation of what you need. The mailing address is available on the State Department's NVC website. Response times for written inquiries are typically longer than phone inquiries, often taking several weeks.

Why the confirmation page matters for your visa timeline

The confirmation page establishes the date your DS-260 form entered the system. This date affects your visa processing timeline. The National Visa Center uses the submission date to determine when your case is ready for the next step, such as scheduling your medical exam or visa interview. If there is ever a question about whether you submitted the form on time or whether the NVC received it, the confirmation page is your proof.

If you are working with an immigration attorney or a visa agency, share a copy of the confirmation page with them. They may need it to track your case or to respond to inquiries from the NVC. Keep the saved file in a safe location alongside other visa documents, such as your passport, birth certificate, and medical records.

Common reasons the confirmation page does not appear

If you clicked submit and no confirmation page appeared, the most common cause is a lost internet connection. If your connection dropped during or when ready after submission, the page may not have loaded even though the form was sent. Wait a few minutes, then try refreshing the page. If a confirmation page appears, save it when ready. If nothing appears, do not submit the form again—resubmitting can create duplicate entries in the system.

Another reason the page may not appear is a browser issue. Some older browsers or browsers with strict security settings may block the confirmation page from loading. If you are using an older version of Internet Explorer or a privacy-focused browser, try opening the State Department's visa process website in a different browser, such as Chrome or Firefox, and check whether the page loads.

If you are certain the form was submitted but you never saw a confirmation page, contact the National Visa Center within a few days. They can check their records and confirm receipt. The sooner you do this, the sooner you can get a written confirmation to replace the missing page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get the confirmation page emailed to me?

No. The State Department does not email the DS-260 confirmation page. It appears only on your screen at the moment of submission. This is why saving it when ready is important. If you need a copy later, contact the National Visa Center with your case number, and they can provide written confirmation of receipt.

What if the confirmation number on my page looks wrong or incomplete?

Write down the confirmation number exactly as it appears, even if it looks unusual. The State Department's system generates these numbers automatically, and they may not follow a pattern you recognize. If you have concerns about whether the number is valid, contact the NVC with your case number and they can verify it against their records.

Do I need to bring the confirmation page to my visa interview?

You do not need to bring it to the interview, but it does not hurt to have it with you. The consulate will have your DS-260 form on file and will not ask to see the confirmation page. However, keeping it with your other visa documents ensures you have proof of submission if any questions arise before your interview.

If I lost the confirmation page, does that mean my process was not submitted?

No. Losing the confirmation page only means you no longer have the receipt. If you submitted the form and saw the confirmation page appear (even if you did not save it), the form was received. The National Visa Center has a record of it. You can contact them to confirm.

How long should I keep the confirmation page?

Keep it for the entire duration of your visa case, and for at least one year after your visa is issued or your case is closed. Store it with your other important immigration documents in a safe place, such as a folder on your computer or a physical file. You may need to reference it if questions arise about your process timeline.