Complete Guide to Form I-864
A complete field-by-field guide to the Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the INA, covering sponsor eligibility, intending immigrants, household size, income, tax returns, assets, joint sponsors, contractual obligations, signatures and supporting evidence.
Before You Start: Prepare Your Financial Records
Form I-864 is a legally enforceable contract between the sponsor and the U.S. Government. Prepare your immigration status evidence, tax documents, income records, household information and supporting financial evidence before completing it.
When required and properly signed, it creates a legally enforceable support obligation. The sponsor should understand both the income requirements and the contractual obligations before signing. All examples below are fictional.
Basis for Filing Affidavit of Support
Identify why you are completing Form I-864 and your relationship to the immigration case.
I Am the Petitioner Who Filed or Is Filing the Immigration Petition
Select this option if you filed or are filing the qualifying petition for the intending immigrant, such as Form I-130 or another qualifying petition.
I Filed Form I-140 for a Relative
Select this option if you filed Form I-140 for a qualifying relative and Form I-864 is required because of that family relationship. Provide your relationship to the beneficiary where requested.
I Have a Five Percent or Greater Ownership Interest in the Petitioning Entity
Use this option when a business or other entity filed Form I-140 for your qualifying relative and you own at least the percentage specified by USCIS. Provide the business name and your relationship to the immigrant.
I Am the Only Joint Sponsor
Select this when you are qualifying as the only joint sponsor rather than as the petitioning sponsor.
I Am One of Two Joint Sponsors
Select this when two joint sponsors are being used for separate groups of qualified intending immigrants under the USCIS rules.
I Am a Substitute Sponsor
Use the substitute-sponsor option only when the original petitioner died and you meet the specific statutory requirements for a substitute sponsor.
Choose the basis that legally applies to your case rather than whichever option seems easier.
Information About You — Sponsor
Sponsor's Full Legal Name
Enter your Family Name, Given Name and Middle Name exactly according to your legal records.
GIVEN NAME: JOHN
MIDDLE NAME: ALEXANDER
Current Mailing Address
Provide the address where you can reliably receive correspondence, including In Care Of Name, street address, apartment/suite/floor, city, state, ZIP Code, province, postal code and country where applicable.
Is Your Mailing Address the Same as Your Physical Address?
Sponsor's Physical Address
Provide your actual physical residence address. Do not use a mailing-only address if you do not physically live there.
Country of Domicile
Enter the country where you maintain your principal residence and intend to maintain that residence for the foreseeable future.
Date of Birth
Enter your actual date of birth.
Country of Birth
Enter the country where you were born.
U.S. Social Security Number
Enter your U.S. Social Security Number. Do not substitute a foreign tax number or national identification number.
Sponsor Immigration Status
Your Immigration Status
Sponsor's A-Number
Enter your Alien Registration Number if one has been assigned.
USCIS Online Account Number
Enter your USCIS Online Account Number if you have one. It is not the same as your A-Number or receipt number.
Domicile and Active-Duty Military Service
U.S. Domicile Requirement
A sponsor generally must be domiciled in the United States, a U.S. territory or possession as permitted by law, or establish that the required domicile will exist by the relevant time.
However, domicile is a legal requirement and should be evaluated using your actual residence, employment, intent and ties.
Are You Currently on Active Duty in the U.S. Armed Forces or U.S. Coast Guard?
Information About the Principal Immigrant
Principal Immigrant's Full Legal Name
Provide the principal intending immigrant's Family Name, Given Name and Middle Name.
GIVEN NAME: EMMA
MIDDLE NAME: SOPHIE
Principal Immigrant's Mailing Address
Provide the immigrant's current mailing address exactly as requested.
Country of Citizenship or Nationality
Enter the principal immigrant's current country of citizenship or nationality.
Date of Birth
Enter the immigrant's actual date of birth.
A-Number
Enter the principal immigrant's A-Number if one exists.
USCIS Online Account Number
Enter the principal immigrant's USCIS Online Account Number if applicable.
Are You Sponsoring the Principal Immigrant in This Affidavit?
Information About Other Immigrants You Are Sponsoring
List qualifying family members who are immigrating based on the same petition and are covered by this affidavit.
Family Member 1
Provide the family member's full legal name, relationship to the principal immigrant, date of birth, A-Number if any, and USCIS Online Account Number if any.
Family Member 2
Provide the same information for the second sponsored family member.
Family Member 3
Provide the same information for the third sponsored family member.
Family Member 4
Provide the same information for the fourth sponsored family member.
Additional Sponsored Immigrants
If more sponsored immigrants must be listed, use Part 11 and clearly identify the relevant Part and Item Number.
Sponsor's Household Size
Each person must be counted correctly, and nobody should be counted more than once.
Immigrants You Are Sponsoring on This Affidavit
Enter the total number of immigrants sponsored on this Form I-864, including the applicable principal immigrant and sponsored family members.
Yourself
The sponsor counts as one person in household size.
Your Spouse
If currently married, count your spouse unless the spouse has already been counted as an immigrant sponsored on this affidavit.
Dependent Children
Enter the number of dependent children who must be included in your household size, excluding anyone already counted elsewhere in the calculation.
Other Dependents
Count other dependents who must be included under the Form I-864 instructions.
People Previously Sponsored With Form I-864 or I-864EZ
Count people you previously sponsored who are now lawful permanent residents if your Form I-864 support obligation for them has not ended.
Household Members Combining Income Using Form I-864A
Where applicable, count qualifying siblings, parents, adult children or other household members included under the form rules who are combining their income with yours by submitting Form I-864A.
Total Household Size
Add the applicable household-size categories and enter the total.
Sponsor's Employment and Income
Currently Employed
If employed, provide your occupation and the names of your employers. The form provides space for more than one employer.
Self-Employed
If self-employed, select the applicable option and identify your occupation.
Retired
If retired, provide the date your retirement began.
Unemployed
If unemployed, provide the date your unemployment began.
Current Individual Annual Income
Enter your current individual annual income. This is your current expected annual income, not automatically the same figure as the income shown on last year's tax return.
Income From Household Members
Income From Other Persons Counted in Household Size
If you rely on income from another qualifying household member, provide that person's name, relationship to you and current annual income.
Household Member 1
Provide the person's name, relationship and income. Form I-864A may be required for the income to be counted.
Household Member 2
Provide the same information for an additional qualifying household member.
Household Member 3
Provide the same information where another qualifying household member's income is used.
Household Member 4
Provide the requested information where applicable.
Current Annual Household Income
Add the income that USCIS permits you to count and enter the current annual household income total.
The individual must qualify under the I-864 rules, and Form I-864A may be required.
Federal Income Tax Return Information
Have You Filed a Federal Income Tax Return for the Most Recent Tax Year?
Provide the tax information required by USCIS and submit the appropriate tax evidence.
Most Recent Tax Year
Enter the tax year and the total income reported on your Federal income tax return for the most recent year.
Second Most Recent Tax Year
Enter the second most recent tax year and the applicable total income.
Third Most Recent Tax Year
Enter the third most recent tax year and the applicable total income.
Not Required to File a Federal Income Tax Return
If you were not required to file because your income was below the IRS filing threshold or for another applicable reason, select the appropriate option and submit evidence or explanation required by USCIS.
Use of Assets to Supplement Income
Complete this part when assets are needed to meet the financial requirement.
Cash, Savings and Checking Accounts
Enter the total balance of qualifying cash, savings and checking accounts that you are using as assets.
Real Estate Holdings
Enter the net cash value of qualifying real estate. Net value generally means current value minus outstanding mortgage or secured debt.
Stocks, Bonds, Certificates of Deposit and Other Assets
Enter the net cash value of qualifying investments and other assets not already included elsewhere.
Total Value of Sponsor's Assets
Add the qualifying sponsor assets and enter the total.
Assets of Household Members
If qualifying household members are using their assets, enter the combined amount reported on their Forms I-864A.
Principal Immigrant's Savings and Checking
If the principal immigrant's assets are being used, enter the balance of qualifying savings and checking accounts.
Principal Immigrant's Real Estate
Enter the net cash value of qualifying real estate owned by the principal immigrant.
Principal Immigrant's Other Assets
Enter the current cash value of qualifying stocks, bonds, certificates of deposit and other assets.
Total Value of All Assets
Add together the qualifying sponsor assets, household-member assets and principal immigrant assets.
The amount of assets required depends on the type of case. In many cases the required asset value is five times the income shortfall; certain U.S.-citizen spouse or child cases use three times, and certain orphan cases can use one times the shortfall. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="1"}
Sponsor's Contract
Legal Effect of Signing Form I-864
When the intending immigrant becomes a lawful permanent resident based on a Form I-864 you signed, a legally enforceable contract exists between you and the U.S. Government.
This is not simply a statement of income. It creates legal support obligations that can continue for years.
Sponsor's Support Obligations
Maintain the Sponsored Immigrant at the Required Income Level
The sponsor agrees to provide support necessary to maintain the sponsored immigrant at the income level required by law.
Reimbursement for Certain Means-Tested Public Benefits
If the sponsored immigrant receives certain designated means-tested public benefits, the government agency may seek reimbursement from the sponsor as permitted by law.
Legal Enforcement
The sponsored immigrant or qualifying government entity may have enforcement rights under the Form I-864 contract.
Change of Address Requirement
A sponsor whose obligation remains in force must comply with applicable USCIS sponsor change-of-address requirements.
When the Sponsor's Obligation Ends
Sponsored Immigrant Becomes a U.S. Citizen
The support obligation ends when the sponsored immigrant becomes a U.S. citizen, subject to the terms stated in the Form I-864 contract.
40 Qualifying Quarters of Work
The obligation can end when the sponsored immigrant is credited with the required qualifying quarters of work under Social Security rules.
Sponsored Immigrant Is No Longer a Permanent Resident and Departs the United States
The obligation may end under the circumstances specified in the contract when permanent residence ends and the immigrant departs the United States.
Sponsored Immigrant Obtains a New Grant of Adjustment Based on a New Affidavit
The obligation may end under the specific circumstances stated by the Form I-864 contract.
Death
The obligation ends upon the death of the sponsor or sponsored immigrant, subject to obligations that arose before termination as provided by law.
Do not assume that ending a marriage ends the sponsor's contractual support obligation.
Sponsor's Statement, Contact Information and Signature
Sponsor's Statement
Indicate whether you read and understood the affidavit yourself or whether an interpreter read it to you.
Use of a Preparer
Indicate when another person prepared the affidavit for you.
Daytime Telephone Number
Provide your current daytime telephone number.
Mobile Telephone Number
Provide your mobile telephone number where applicable.
Email Address
Provide your current email address where applicable.
Sponsor Certification
Read the complete certification and contract before signing. By signing, you accept the obligations stated in Form I-864.
Sponsor Signature and Date
USCIS instructions state that the affidavit must contain the sponsor's signature; a typed or stamped name does not replace the required signature for a paper affidavit. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="2"}
Interpreter's Contact Information, Certification and Signature
Interpreter Full Name
Provide the interpreter's Family Name and Given Name.
Business or Organization
Enter the interpreter's business or organization name where applicable.
Interpreter Mailing Address
Provide the complete address requested by the form.
Telephone and Email
Provide daytime telephone, mobile telephone and email address where applicable.
Language Interpreted
Identify the language in which the affidavit was interpreted for the sponsor.
Interpreter Certification
The interpreter certifies fluency in English and the language used, and that the affidavit was interpreted accurately.
Interpreter Signature and Date
The interpreter signs and dates this part when an interpreter was used.
Preparer's Contact Information, Declaration and Signature
Preparer Full Name
Provide the preparer's Family Name and Given Name.
Business or Organization
Provide the preparer's business or organization name where applicable.
Preparer Mailing Address
Provide the complete mailing address requested by the form.
Preparer Telephone and Email
Provide the contact information required by the form.
Attorney or Accredited Representative
If the preparer is an attorney or accredited representative, complete the applicable representation information and submit Form G-28 or G-28I when required.
Preparer Declaration and Certification
The preparer certifies that the affidavit was prepared at the sponsor's request using information provided or authorized by the sponsor.
Preparer Signature and Date
The preparer signs and dates the affidavit when someone other than the sponsor prepared it.
Additional Information
Sponsor Name and A-Number
Enter the sponsor's identifying information at the top of the additional-information section.
Page Number, Part Number and Item Number
For every additional answer, identify the exact Page Number, Part Number and Item Number to which the information relates.
PART NUMBER: 6
ITEM NUMBER: 8
Additional Sheets
If Part 11 does not provide enough room, use additional sheets according to USCIS instructions. Identify the applicable page, part and item, and sign and date additional sheets as required.
Supporting Evidence and Final Checks
Proof of Sponsor's Status
Provide acceptable evidence of U.S. citizenship, U.S. national status or lawful permanent residence, as applicable to the sponsor.
Federal Tax Evidence
Provide the tax documentation required by the current USCIS instructions, such as an IRS tax transcript or applicable tax-return documentation.
Evidence of Current Income
Where needed, provide evidence such as employment letters, pay records, contracts or other reliable documentation supporting current income.
Form I-864A
When qualifying household-member income or assets are used, submit Form I-864A for each household member required to sign one.
Evidence of Assets
When assets are needed, provide documentation establishing ownership, current value and any liabilities against each asset.
Evidence of Domicile
If U.S. domicile is not obvious, provide evidence supporting your existing or intended qualifying domicile.
Foreign-Language Documents
Any foreign-language document submitted must include a complete English translation with the translator certification required by USCIS.
Final Review Before Filing
Correct basis for filing
Sponsor legal name
Mailing and physical addresses
Country of domicile
Date and country of birth
Social Security Number
U.S. citizenship, national or LPR status
A-Number and USCIS account number
Active-duty military question
Principal immigrant information
Every additional sponsored immigrant
Household size without double-counting
Employment status
Current individual annual income
Household-member income
Current household income total
Most recent tax-year information
Second and third tax years
Non-filing explanation if applicable
Assets if required
Form I-864A where required
Sponsor contract reviewed
Sponsor signature and date
Interpreter section if applicable
Preparer section if applicable
Supporting evidence
Certified translations
Form I-864 must reflect the sponsor's actual immigration status, household size, current income, tax history, assets, relationship to the intending immigrant and financial circumstances.