I-864 (Affidavit of Support) - How to Fill It Out Without Errors - STEP-BY-STEP Guide
Forms and Document Downloads
In this Artical, we’ll walk you through how to complete Form I-864, the Affidavit of Support — a required form for most family-based immigration cases, including Adjustment of Status and Consular Processing. Whether you’re sponsoring your spouse, child, parent, or sibling, Form I-864 is crucial to prove that the petitioner can financially support the immigrant and prevent them from becoming a public charge.
Understanding Form I-864
Form I-864 is a binding legal contract between the petitioner and the U.S. government. It shows that the sponsor meets the income requirements to financially support the immigrant. This form is mandatory in most family-based immigration cases — whether you’re filing inside the U.S. or from abroad.
Key points:
- Who needs to file it: Petitioner, sometimes joint sponsors
- Why it’s required: To prove you meet 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (or 100% for military sponsors)
- Legal responsibility: It’s enforceable for up to 10 years
Basis for Filing Form I-864
“In Part 1, you’ll identify your role. Most commonly, the sponsor is the same person who filed Form I-130. If you’re that person, check the box that says “I am the petitioner.”
Tips:
- If you’re a joint sponsor, indicate whether you’re the first or second joint sponsor.
- Use your full legal name, exactly as shown on the immigration petition.
Information About the Immigrant
Next, enter the principal immigrant’s full name and mailing address. Use the petitioner’s address if the immigrant is still outside the U.S., like in consular processing.
Example:
- Principal immigrant: Jane Doe (John’s wife)
- Country of citizenship: Canada
- Alien Registration Number: Only include it if the immigrant has one
- Phone number: Do not use dashes or punctuation
Family Members Being Sponsored
This part confirms who you are sponsoring. If you only filed for your spouse, click “Yes” to question 1 and leave question 2 blank. If you filed for a sibling or child who can bring their spouse or children, list those family members here, too.
Information About the Sponsor
Enter your full legal name, address, date of birth, Social Security Number, and citizenship status. If you’re a U.S. citizen, you likely won’t have an A-number.
Domicile Warning:
- You must prove U.S. domicile. If you’ve been living abroad, provide proof of intent to reestablish residence in the U.S.
Military Sponsors:
- Click “Yes” if you’re currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. This allows you to use the 100% poverty guideline instead of 125%.
Household Size
This part is tricky. It calculates your household size. If the immigrant is your spouse and already listed in Part 3, don’t count them again here or it’ll inflate your required income.
Include:
- Yourself
- Any dependents (children, others listed on your taxes)
- Other immigrants you’re sponsoring
- Total household size must be accurate for poverty guideline calculations
Sponsor’s Employment and Income
Enter your current job title and employer. In our example, John is a Petty Officer First Class in the U.S. Navy. Enter your total current income before taxes.
If you’re using household member income:
- Include their info
- File Form I-864A
- They must live with you and be willing to sign a contract
If the immigrant has income and lives with you (like a spouse on a TN visa), you can also count it, but only if needed.
Federal Tax Info
Indicate whether you filed tax returns for the past 3 years. Only the most recent year is required. You can choose to submit the last 3 for stronger evidence, but it’s optional.
Attach:
- IRS transcript or copy of your latest tax return
- W-2s or 1099s for the same year
Signing & Finalizing the Form
Sign and date the form — no digital signatures unless filing online. If someone helped you prepare the form, make sure they also complete the Preparer’s section.
Checklist Before Submitting:
- Form I-864 completed and signed
- IRS transcript or tax return copy
- W-2s/1099s (optional but helpful)
- Pay stubs or job letter (for proof of current income)
- I-864A (if using household member income)
What to Do Next
Once completed, submit the I-864 as part of your Adjustment of Status package or along with the NVC packet for consular processing. Make sure all supporting evidence is included to avoid RFEs (Requests for Evidence).
Let us know in the comments if you have questions, and don’t forget to Share for more U.S. immigration tips and walkthroughs!
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[…] need to complete Form DS-260 (the immigrant visa application), provide financial evidence via Form I-864 Affidavit of Support, and submit supporting documents, including police certificates, birth certificates, and more. Once […]