Check the custodial papers for a minor F-1 student
Key facts
- Human involvement
- YellowClose supervision
- How AI is used
- From the enrollment file, list the student's age, whether a parent or legal guardian will live with the student, whether a power of attorney or guardianship paper is on the file, and who holds the Form I-20. Do not decide that the arrangement meets the State's rule, and do not write a guardianship paper.
- What the lawyer must review
- You decide whether the arrangement is sufficient for the State where the school is, and you write any paper that is signed. Study in the States, kindergarten to grade 12, last updated 27 April 2026, says that if a parent or legal guardian will not live with a minor F-1 student, SEVP recommends that the parent or guardian consult the school about the document required. A power of attorney, as that page describes it, authorizes another adult to act for the child. The page says these documents vary by the State where the certified school is located. It recommends that the student, or the adult with legal guardianship, keep the Form I-20, the I-901 fee receipt, the passport or visa, the Form I-94 printout, and the proof of finances. It says, as a best practice, that designated school officials should know the off-campus housing arrangements for minor F-1 students. Regulations on a school's responsibility for housing of minor nonimmigrant students vary by State or locality and depend on whether the school provides housing, a homestay, or the student lives with family. The same page says the Form I-20 is provided directly to the student or the legal guardian. SEVP policy guidance of 4 June 2019 says a designated school official may release the Form I-20 only to the student, the student's dependents, or, for a minor, the parent or legal guardian. The page does not state a single federal duty to appoint a guardian. The State's rule is the one that decides.
- Written for / version
- United States versionUS
Who does what
| Role | What they do |
|---|---|
| Assistance | Consider narrowly defined preparation support after confirming the tool’s capability and permitted scope. |
| Lawyer | Set the scope, supervise the work closely, verify every part relied on, resolve omissions and exceptions, and approve the exact output. |
Checklist
- Review operative clauses in the complete document, including definitions, cross-references, schedules and inconsistencies with the instructions.
- Verify the applicable jurisdiction and the version of each relevant law, rule or instrument in force at the material time.
- Confirm the output against the client’s instructions and the complete relevant source material, including omissions or contradictions.
- Resolve exceptions and record the responsible lawyer’s approval of the exact output and intended use.
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