Independent form guide. BrieflyGo is not affiliated with or endorsed by IRS, USCIS, SSA, DOL, or any U.S. government agency. Official forms are sourced from public government websites.
Official form guide
Form I-361: Affidavit of Financial Support and Intent to Petition for Legal Custody for Public Law 97-359 Amerasian
USCIS Form I-361 is Affidavit of Financial Support and Intent to Petition for Legal Custody for Public Law 97-359 Amerasian, which establishes financial support for a beneficiary. The provisions do not apply to the SSI eligibility of an alien who becomes blind or disabled after admission.
Need help with Form I-361?
Open it in the AI Editor for field guidance, checks, and PDF export.
Need help? AI Editor guides you through every field of Form I-361.
Start filling →Form Overview
USCIS Form I-361 - Affidavit of Financial Support and Intent to Petition for Legal Custody for Public Law 97-359 Amerasian
USCIS Form I-361 is Affidavit of Financial Support and Intent to Petition for Legal Custody for Public Law 97-359 Amerasian, which establishes financial support for a beneficiary. The provisions do not apply to the SSI eligibility of an alien who becomes blind or disabled after admission.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1A stamped or typewritten name in place of a signature is not acceptable on any part of Form I-361.
- 2Filing without the sponsor's signature and date in Part 4.
- 3Submitting a stamped or typewritten name instead of a handwritten signature.
- 4Failing to provide all required contact information for the sponsor in Part 4.
- 5Not having an interpreter complete Part 5 when one was used.
Plain English
This form allows someone to officially state that they financially support another person and intend to petition for legal custody for them under Public Law 97-359 Amerasian. By submitting this, the sponsor confirms their financial commitment to the beneficiary with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Submission Date
- Filing date: If a filer is not a U.S. citizen, they must notify USCIS of their new address within 10 days of moving from their previous residence.
- Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
- Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.
AI co-pilot
Fill it faster. Catch mistakes before you file.
What this form is for
- Use this form when sponsoring a person born in Korea, Laos, Vietnam, Kampuchea, or Thailand after December 31, 1950, and before October 22, 1982, who was fathered by U.S. citizens.
- Do not use it when the beneficiary was born outside of Korea, Laos, Vietnam, Kampuchea, or Thailand during the specified time frame, or if the father is not a U.S. citizen.
- Check Form I-360 instead when filing for Petition for Amerasian, Widower, or Special Immigrant.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Beneficiary born in Thailand (1951)
This form specifically covers beneficiaries from the listed countries and dates.
✓ Check before you continue
Sponsor is a Lawful Permanent Resident
The sponsor must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident to file this affidavit.
✓ Check before you continue
Petitioning for Legal Custody
This form specifically addresses the intent to petition for legal custody within the scope of Public Law 97-359 Amerasian status.
✓ Check before you continue
Deadline or filing window
If a filer moves and is not a U.S. citizen, the new address must be reported within 10 days of moving from the previous residence. The form itself does not specify an initial filing deadline date, but it requires a valid United States address to file.
Checklist
What you need before filling it out
Supporting Evidence
All items listed in the Supporting Evidence section of the Instructions · Instruction Booklet
Foreign Language Document
Full English translation must be submitted alongside it. · Form I-361 / Instructions
Translator Certification
Must include signature, printed name, signature date, and contact information of the translator. · Instruction Booklet
Sponsor's Signature
Handwritten ink signature (or valid scanned/photocopied copy). · Form I-361 / Instructions
Foreign Document Translation
Must be complete and accurate according to the translator’s certification. · Instruction Booklet
Before you submit
- 1Type or print all information legibly using black ink.
- 2Complete Part 4 (Sponsor’s Statement, Contact Information, Certification, and Signature).
- 3Ensure the sponsor signs and dates their affidavit in Part 4.
- 4Provide daytime phone number, mobile phone number (if any), and email address in Part 4.
- 5If applicable, complete Part 5 (Interpreter’s Contact Information, Certification, and Signature) and ensure it is signed/dated.
- 6Submit legible photocopies of all requested supporting documents unless an original is specifically instructed.
- 7If submitting foreign language documents, include a fully certified English translation.
How to file this form
- 1Complete Form I-361 by typing or printing legibly in black ink across all required sections.
- 2Sign and date the affidavit in Part 4 (and complete Part 5 if an interpreter was used).
- 3Gather all necessary supporting evidence, ensuring foreign documents have a certified English translation.
- 4Submit the completed Form I-361 along with all supporting documentation to the current USCIS filing location found at www.uscis.gov/I-361.
Known limitations
- 1The Form I-361 may only be used to sponsor persons born in Korea, Laos, Vietnam, Kampuchea, and Thailand after December 31, 1950, and before October 22, 1982, who were fathered by U.S. citizens.
- 2The provisions of Form I-361 do not apply to the SSI, AFDC, or food stamp eligibility of aliens admitted as refugees or granted asylum.
- 3The provisions also do not apply to the SSI eligibility for an alien who becomes blind or disabled after admission to the United States for permanent residence.
- 4If you are outside the United States when filing Form I-361, the affidavit must be affirmed before a USCIS officer or a U.S. Department of State consular officer.
Field map
Compact field-by-field guide
Applicant Info
3 items
Your current legal name.
MM/DD/YYYY.
Alien Registration Number if previously assigned.
Details
1 items
The specific reason or legal basis for filing this form.
Evidence
1 items
List of documents supporting this application.
Signatures
2 items
Sign under penalty of perjury.
MM/DD/YYYY.
Almost done reviewing the fields?
Fillable formOpen in Editor->The current edition of USCIS Form I-361 is dated 01/20/25, and the instructions direct filers to check www.uscis.gov/I-361 for the most current filing location information.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Edition date — confirm the revision date reads 01/20/25.
- Fee — see Form G-1055 for specific fee amounts applicable to this form.
- Mailing address — check www.uscis.gov/I-361 for the most current filing location.
- Signature — ensure the signature is handwritten ink and not stamped or typewritten.
- Sponsor Status — confirm you are a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, 21 years of age or older, and of good moral character.
Quick Facts
Downloads
After you file
- 1Keep a copy of your completed Form I-361 for future records.
- 2If filing outside the United States, ensure the affidavit is signed and dated by a USCIS or Department of State officer.
- 3Be prepared to provide originals of any copies submitted if USCIS requests them.
- 4USCIS may request more information or evidence, which must be provided to support the affidavit.
- 5If an interview is requested, bring your biometrics for identity verification and/or background checks.
Sources
- SRCInstructions p.1 — The purpose of Form I-361 is to sponsor persons born in Korea, Laos, Vietnam, Kampuchea, and Thailand after December 31, 1950, and before October 22, 1982, fathered by U.S. citizens.
- SRCInstructions p.1 — You must file Form I-361 in support of Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widower, or Special Immigrant.
- SRCInstructions p.1 — To sponsor a Public Law 97-359 Amerasian using Form I-361, the sponsor must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, 21 years of age or older, and of good moral character.
- SRCInstructions p.2 — The translator certification for any translation must include the translator’s signature, printed name, signature date, and contact information.
- SRCInstructions p.3 — If you are outside the United States, you must affirm the affidavit before a USCIS officer or a U.S. Department of State consular officer; this official must sign and date it.
- SRCInstructions p.5 — You must have a United States address to file Form I-361.
- SRCForm p.5 — The sponsor attests under penalty of perjury that the information in Form I-361 is complete, true, and correct.
Common confusion points
What do I need to submit as financial proof?
You must submit a statement from a bank or other financial institution detailing account opening date, total amount deposited in the past year, and present balance.
→ Ensure all three details are on the bank statement.
Do I have to sign before mailing Form I-361?
Yes, if you are outside the United States, you must affirm it before a USCIS or U.S. Department of State consular officer; this official must also sign and date it.
→ Do not sign the affidavit yourself until in front of an authorized officer.
What is my OAN if I filed online?
If you have a USCIS Online Account Number (OAN), you can find it in your account profile after filing.
→ If you mailed the form, check the top of the Account Access Notice for the OAN.
Is my A-Number the same as my OAN?
No, the OAN is not the same as an A-Number.
→ Verify this distinction when reviewing your receipt notices.
What happens if I don't fill out Form I-361 completely?
USCIS may reject your affidavit and you will not establish a basis of support for the beneficiary.
→ Double-check every section before submitting the form.
If I move, how soon must I notify USCIS of my new address?
If you are not a U.S. citizen, you must notify USCIS within 10 days of moving from your previous residence.
→ Do not submit this notification to a USCIS Lockbox.
Workflow map
Related forms and next steps
Current
Often used with
⚠ If something goes wrong
Questions about USCIS Form I-361
What is USCIS Form I-361 used for?
This form allows someone to officially state that they financially support another person and intend to petition for legal custody for them under Public Law 97-359 Amerasian. By submitting this, the sponsor confirms their financial commitment to the beneficiary with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Who must file USCIS Form I-361?
The form is filed by the Sponsor (or parent or legal guardian, if applicable) who provides the financial support.
What information does USCIS Form I-361 require?
The form collects information across several parts, including Part 4 (Sponsor’s Statement, Contact Information, Certification, and Signature), which details the sponsor's commitment. It also captures interpreter details in Part 5 and preparer details in Part 6.
When is USCIS Form I-361 due?
If a filer is not a U.S. citizen, they must notify USCIS of their new address within 10 days of moving from their previous residence.
Where do I file USCIS Form I-361?
Filers must have a United States address to submit the Form I-361; current filing locations are available on the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov/I-361.
How do I complete USCIS Form I-361?
The sponsor must sign and date their affidavit (Part 4), affirming it under oath. If an interpreter was used, they must complete Part 5; if someone else prepared the form, that person completes Part 6. All signatures/stamps must be legible.
What happens if USCIS Form I-361 is filed incorrectly?
If the affidavit is not properly completed, the sponsor will not establish a basis of support for the beneficiary and USCIS may reject or deny the affidavit.
What do I need to submit as financial proof?
You must submit a statement from a bank or other financial institution detailing account opening date, total amount deposited in the past year, and present balance. Ensure all three details are on the bank statement.
Source transparency
Copyright & Licensing - US Government Forms
BrieflyGo links to and explains official public form sources. We are not a government agency, and this page is for general form guidance, not legal advice.
Understand the agreement before you sign it.
Review risky clauses in plain English, fix the document, and keep it moving toward signature.