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Official form guide
Form I-864: Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the INA
USCIS Form I-864 is Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the INA; it establishes financial responsibility for an immigrant and must be signed by the sponsor.
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USCIS Form I-864 - Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the INA
USCIS Form I-864 is Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the INA; it establishes financial responsibility for an immigrant and must be signed by the sponsor.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1Do not submit a stamped or typewritten name in place of an actual signature on Form I-864.
- 2Failing to sign Form I-864 means the intending immigrant may not become a lawful permanent resident.
- 3Submitting a stamped or typewritten name instead of an actual signature on the affidavit.
- 4Not including a copy of every related Form W-2 and Form 1099 when providing tax returns.
- 5Incorrectly calculating Household Size in Part 5 by counting any individual more than once.
Plain English
This form proves to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that a person (the sponsor) has the financial ability to support another individual who is immigrating to the United States. By filing this, the sponsor commits to financially supporting the immigrant so they can become a lawful permanent resident.
Submission Date
- Filing date: Not stated in the official source for a specific deadline, but if filing for family members immigrating more than six months after the principal immigrant, additional information must be listed in Items 4-7 on Form I-864.
- Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
- Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.
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What this form is for
- Use this form when an immigrant requires proof of financial support to obtain an immigrant visa overseas or adjust status to a lawful permanent resident in the United States.
- Do not use this form if you are not sponsoring family-based immigrants (immediate relatives) or employment-based intending immigrants, as it is required for those categories.
- Check Form I-864P instead when determining specific poverty guidelines, especially regarding which benefits are considered means-tested public benefits.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Sponsoring Spouse/Child
Required to show adequate financial support for the immigrant.
✓ Check Part 3 for Principal Immigrant details.
Coast Guard Sponsor (Spouse/Minor Child)
Requires demonstration of income at only 100 percent of the poverty level instead of 125 percent.
✓ Verify selection in Part 1 for service branch status.
General Household Support
The sponsor must show enough income and/or assets to support the immigrant and the rest of their household at 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
✓ Ensure all listed household members' incomes are accounted for in Part 5.
Deadline or filing window
The filing timing is dependent on the immigrant's arrival; if family members immigrate more than six months after the principal immigrant, specific details must be listed using Item Numbers 4 through 7. There is no stated extension period for this form in the official source.
Checklist
What you need before filling it out
Principal Immigrant Details
Full Name (Item 1), Mailing Address (Item 2), Country of Citizenship/Nationality (Item 3) · Part 3
Sponsor's Income
Current individual annual income (Item 7) and other household member incomes (Part 5) · Part 5
Coast Guard/Armed Forces Status
Selection on Form I-864 indicating active duty status · Part 1
Household Income Determination
Total income must meet 125% of Federal Poverty Guidelines (or 100% for military sponsors) · Instructions p.1, p.10
Legal Guardian Support
Proof of appointment and court order permitting support availability · Instructions p.5
Before you submit
- 1Ensure all fields are typed or printed legibly in black ink.
- 2Verify that the sponsor's income meets 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (or 100% if applicable).
- 3Confirm Part 3 accurately lists the Principal Immigrant's Name, Address, and Country of Citizenship/Nationality.
- 4If a legal guardian signs, confirm proof of appointment and court order are attached.
- 5Ensure all extra sheets have the sponsor's name and A-Number typed at the top.
- 6Confirm that every sheet is signed and dated (mm/dd/yyyy) by the preparer or sponsor.
- 7If using a photocopy, verify it is an exact copy of the original handwritten signature.
How to file this form
- 1Complete all sections of USCIS Form I-864 using black ink, providing full and accurate information.
- 2Attach supporting documentation to prove the income/assets listed on Part 5 (e.g., pay stubs) and any required legal guardianship proof.
- 3If additional details are needed beyond Part 11, attach a separate sheet, ensuring it is signed and dated.
- 4Sign and date every page of USCIS Form I-864, including the preparer's signature on Page 11.
- 5Submit the completed and signed form to USCIS (or via mail/online portal), keeping a copy for personal records.
Known limitations
- 1An intending immigrant does not need to file Form I-864 if they have earned or can receive credit for 40 qualifying quarters of work in the United States.
- 2If filing for family members immigrating more than six months after a principal immigrant, these individuals must list their information in Items 4 through 7 (or Part 11).
- 3The required financial support level is 125 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, unless the sponsor is on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces or U.S., in which case it is 100 percent.
- 4If a spouse is entered in Item Number 3 (married status), they should not be counted again in Item Number 6 if they are also a lawful permanent resident being sponsored.
Field map
Compact field-by-field guide
Petitioner Info
3 items
Your current legal name as it appears on your Green Card or U.S. passport.
Your date of birth (MM/DD/YYYY).
Your Green Card number (A-Number) if a permanent resident, or USCIS online account number.
Beneficiary Info
3 items
Full legal name of the relative you are petitioning for.
Date of birth of the relative (MM/DD/YYYY).
Alien Registration Number of the beneficiary if previously assigned.
Relationship
1 items
Select the qualifying relationship: spouse, unmarried child under 21, unmarried child over 21, married child, parent, or sibling.
Evidence
1 items
List of documents establishing the qualifying relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc.).
Signatures
2 items
Your signature certifying all information is correct under penalty of perjury.
Date you signed the form (MM/DD/YYYY).
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Fillable formOpen in Editor->The current edition of USCIS Form I-864 has a revision date listed as 10/17/24, and the form itself is valid through 10/31/2027.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Edition date — confirm the form instructions show 10/17/24.
- Fee — check Form G-1055 (available at www.uscis.gov/forms) for specific fee amounts applicable to this form.
- Mailing address — Not stated in the official source, but filing location information is available via the USCIS Contact Center.
- Signature — confirm that photocopied, faxed, or scanned copies must be of the original handwritten signature.
Quick Facts
Downloads
After you file
- 1The sponsor must sign Form I-864 before sending it to USCIS.
- 2The intending immigrant accompanying the principal immigrant must submit clear and true photocopies of any relevant Form I-864(s) and attachments filed for them.
- 3If filing online, locate the Online Account Number (OAN) in your USCIS Online Account profile; if mailed, find it on the USCIS Account Access Notice.
- 4Keep a copy of the completed Form I-864 and all supporting documents submitted to USCIS.
Sources
- SRCInstructions p.1 — Form I-864 is used to show adequate means of financial support for family-based and some employment-based intending immigrants.
- SRCInstructions p.1 — The contract between sponsor and U.S. Government requires the sponsor to prove income/assets sufficient to maintain household at 125% of Federal Poverty Guidelines (or 100% if on active duty).
- SRCInstructions p.2 — Accompanying immigrants must submit clear and true photocopies of relevant Form I-864(s) and attachments.
- SRCInstructions p.9 — Item Number 3 requires typing '1' if married or '0' if unmarried/spouse counted in Item 1.
- SRCInstructions p.9 — Item Number 1 must count the total immigrants sponsored from Part 3, Parts 4-7, and Part 11 (not counting principal immigrant if only family members are sponsoring later).
- SRCForm p.8 — If Form I-864 is not signed, the intending immigrant may not become a lawful permanent resident.
- SRCInstructions p.11 — When providing Federal income tax returns, photocopies of every related Form W-2 and Form 1099 must be included (unless using an IRS transcript for joint filing only).
- SRCForm p.10 — Failure to completely fill out the affidavit or submit required documents may result in denial by USCIS or DOS.
Common confusion points
What is an OAN and how do I get it?
It is a receipt number beginning with IOE, found in your Online Account profile (if filed online) or on the USCIS Account Access Notice (if mailed).
→ Confirm your receipt number starts with 'IOE'.
When do family members need to file Form I-864?
They must submit a new Form I-864 if they are following-to-join a principal intending immigrant, along with necessary supporting documents.
→ Check the filing status relative to the principal immigrant.
How is Item Number 1 calculated?
It counts the total immigrants sponsored on the affidavit from Part 3, plus any family members listed in Parts 4-7 or Part 11 (unless only family members are being sponsored after a delay).
→ Ensure you do not count the principal immigrant if they are *only* entering more than 6 months after the main applicant.
When should I use Item Number 3 vs. counting my spouse in Item 6?
Use '1' for Item 3 if married; only list them again in Item 6 if they are a lawful permanent resident being sponsored, but do not count them twice overall.
What happens if the government won't let me sign Form I-864?
The intending immigrant may not become a lawful permanent resident in the United States.
→ Verify that signing is required for the petition to proceed.
Do I need an OAN if my receipt number doesn't start with IOE?
If you do not have a receipt number beginning with IOE, you do not have an OAN.
→ Check the prefix of your existing receipt number.
Workflow map
Related forms and next steps
Before
Current
Often used with
⚠ If something goes wrong
- Failure to completely fill out this affidavit or submit required documents may lead to USCIS or DOS denying the request.
Questions about USCIS Form I-864
What is USCIS Form I-864 used for?
This form proves to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that a person (the sponsor) has the financial ability to support another individual who is immigrating to the United States. By filing this, the sponsor commits to financially supporting the immigrant so they can become a lawful permanent resident.
Who must file USCIS Form I-864?
The filer must be the Sponsor, who vouches for the financial well-being of the intending immigrant(s).
What information does USCIS Form I-864 require?
The form collects information regarding the total number of immigrants sponsored (Item Number 1), marital status (Item Number 3), and details about family members in Parts 4 through 7. Part 5 specifically calculates the Sponsor's Household Size.
Where do I file USCIS Form I-864?
The form can be submitted by visiting the USCIS Contact Center at www.uscis.gov/contactcenter or calling 800-375-5283 (TTY 800-767-1833).
How do I complete USCIS Form I-864?
The sponsor must complete the form by typing or printing legibly in black ink. All questions must be answered fully and accurately, and every sheet requires a signature and date. A legal guardian may sign for a mentally incompetent person.
What happens if USCIS Form I-864 is filed incorrectly?
If the affidavit is not signed, or if the signature is invalid, USCIS will reject the affidavit. If a deficient signature is determined after acceptance of an adjudication request, USCIS will deny that request.
What is an OAN and how do I get it?
It is a receipt number beginning with IOE, found in your Online Account profile (if filed online) or on the USCIS Account Access Notice (if mailed). Confirm your receipt number starts with 'IOE'.
When do family members need to file Form I-864?
They must submit a new Form I-864 if they are following-to-join a principal intending immigrant, along with necessary supporting documents. Check the filing status relative to the principal immigrant.
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