Beginning July 1, 2010 entrants in the annual diversity visa lottery sponsored by the U.S. State Department can check on-line to see if they won. The Electronic Status Check (ESC) web address is: http://www.dvlottery.state.gov/ESC.

Just like last year, you need three pieces of information from your 2009 registration: 1) Your CONFIRMATION NUMBER, 2) your FAMILY NAME (Last Name), and 3) your BIRTH YEAR.

If you did not enter using a last name, check the box for “No Last/Family Name”.

Your confirmation number was provided if you successfully entered last fall. It is the 16-character number, similar to this: 2011lO0DZWY3DOV9. When checking your number, do not confuse a “1” with an “I” or a "0" with an "O" which, of course, are separate characters. Next, enter the 4 digit “CAPTCHA” code shown on the screen.

If you won the lottery, you should receive this message:

"Based on the information and confirmation number provided, you should have received a letter by mail from the United States Department of State’s Kentucky Consular Center (KCC) notifying you that your Diversity Visa entry was selected in the DV-2011 lottery.

If you have not yet received your selectee letter please do not contact KCC until after August 1, 2010. International mail delivery delays of one month or more are normal. KCC will not respond to questions they receive before August 1, 2010 regarding non-receipt of selectee letters. If you still have not received your selectee letter by August 1, 2010, however, you may contact KCC by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ."

If you did not win, you will receive this message:

"Based on the information provided, the Entry HAS NOT BEEN SELECTED for further processing for the 2011 Electronic Diversity Visa program.

Please verify that you have entered all information correctly. You may re-check the Entry status by clicking on the ESC Home Page link below."

Also, if you won, please comment below, especially if you used a lottery service. MyGreencard.com has a survey with questions designed to help you rate your lottery service. And, the United States Association of Immigrants at myUSAi.org has new booklet available for green card lottery winners.