What Is Form I-864? Affidavit of Support Explained + Free Sample

What Is Form I-864 and Why Would You Need It?

Form I-864 is formally called the Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the INA.

You generally use it when you are financially sponsoring an immigrant who is applying for lawful permanent resident status through certain family-based immigration categories.

The purpose of the form is to demonstrate that the intending immigrant has adequate financial support.

By completing the form, you provide information about your:

• Household size
• Current income
• Federal income tax history
• Employment
• Assets, when applicable
• Immigration or citizenship status
• U.S. domicile
• Previous sponsorship obligations

You also agree to certain continuing financial responsibilities.

If you only need to write a personal statement explaining somebody’s character, relationship, hardship, or community involvement, you may need something different. Compare Form I-864 with these 15 Best Immigration Support Letter Samples before deciding what kind of document you actually need.

Is Form I-864 Really an Affidavit?

Yes, but you should not treat Form I-864 like an ordinary affidavit that you draft yourself.

You must use the official USCIS form when Form I-864 is required.

You do not replace the government form with a homemade letter saying:

“I promise to financially support this person.”

A personal financial-support statement may sometimes accompany an immigration package, but it does not substitute for a required Form I-864.

This distinction is especially important if you have previously used a Family Visa Letter Template. A family visa letter and Form I-864 serve different purposes.

Who Usually Has to File Form I-864?

You will commonly encounter Form I-864 when you petition for a relative who intends to become a lawful permanent resident.

USCIS states that the form is required for most family-based immigrants and certain employment-based immigrants when a qualifying relative has a significant ownership interest in the petitioning business.

Typical family-based situations may involve you sponsoring your:

• Spouse
• Parent
• Child
• Sibling
• Certain other qualifying relatives

Whether Form I-864 is required depends on the immigration category and facts of the case.

Do not assume that every visa application requires this form. A temporary visitor visa support letter, for example, is not automatically the same thing as an I-864 sponsorship.

You can review Letter to Support a Visa Application: Free Templates & Guide when you need a traditional visa support letter rather than the formal I-864 contract.

What Requirements Do You Have to Meet as an I-864 Sponsor?

To qualify as a sponsor, you generally need to satisfy requirements concerning your age, immigration status, domicile, and finances.

You generally must:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or lawful permanent resident, as applicable.
• Have your principal residence or domicile in the United States, subject to applicable rules.
• Meet the financial sponsorship requirement or qualify through permitted income and assets.

A joint sponsor must also independently satisfy applicable sponsor qualifications. USCIS instructions state that a joint sponsor can be a qualifying U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or U.S. national who is at least 18 and domiciled in the United States or its territories or possessions.

How Much Income Do You Need for Form I-864?

In most situations, you need qualifying household income equal to at least 125% of the applicable HHS Poverty Guidelines for your household size.

If you are on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces and you are petitioning for your spouse or child, a 100% guideline may apply instead.

The figures change periodically, so you should never rely on an old article, saved screenshot, or previous immigration filing.

USCIS states that its 2026 I-864P poverty guidelines became effective March 1, 2026.

For example, under the 2026 guidelines for the 48 contiguous states and other areas covered by that table, the 125% threshold includes:

For each additional person beyond eight, the table adds $7,100.

Different figures apply in Alaska and Hawaii, so you should check the current USCIS I-864P table before filing.

How Do You Calculate Your Household Size?

Your household size is extremely important because it determines the income threshold you must meet.

You should not automatically assume that your household size means only the people currently living under your roof.

Depending on your circumstances, your I-864 household calculation can include:

• You as the sponsor
• Your spouse
• Certain dependent children
• Other dependents you claim
• The intending immigrant
• Additional immigrants you are sponsoring
• Certain previously sponsored immigrants whose sponsorship obligations are still active
• Certain household members whose income you use

Because one additional person can increase your required income substantially, you should calculate household size carefully before deciding that your income is sufficient.

What Financial Documents Should You Prepare?

You should expect to provide financial evidence supporting the amounts you report on Form I-864.

Depending on your circumstances, useful documentation can include:

• Federal income tax return information
• IRS tax transcripts
• W-2 forms
• 1099 forms
• Recent pay statements
• Employment verification
• Evidence of self-employment income
• Evidence of qualifying assets
• Documentation of household-member income
• Evidence explaining why you were not required to file a federal tax return, when applicable

USCIS instructions state that the petitioning sponsor must generally provide the most recent federal income tax return and supporting tax documentation unless the sponsor was not required to file.

You should make sure the income on your evidence makes sense when compared with what you report on the form.

Can You Use Assets If Your Income Is Too Low?

You may be able to use qualifying assets when your income alone does not satisfy the requirement.

Potential assets can include qualifying:

• Savings
• Checking account balances
• Stocks and bonds
• Certain property equity
• Assets owned by the intending immigrant
• Assets belonging to qualifying household members

The asset must generally be convertible to cash within the applicable requirements without causing undue hardship or financial loss.

USCIS instructions state that assets generally must equal at least five times the difference between your qualifying household income and the required guideline.

Important exceptions apply. For example, when you are a U.S. citizen sponsoring your spouse or certain children, the required asset amount may be three times the shortfall. Special rules can also apply to certain adopted children.

Example

Suppose your required qualifying income is $41,250 and you have qualifying income of $36,250.

Your shortfall is:

$41,250 – $36,250 = $5,000

Under a five-times asset rule, you could potentially need:

$5,000 × 5 = $25,000 in qualifying net assets

Do not apply this example automatically to your situation because different asset multipliers may apply.

Can You Use Your Spouse’s or Household Member’s Income?

Sometimes.

If a qualifying household member’s income is being combined with yours, that person may need to complete Form I-864A, Contract Between Sponsor and Household Member.

Form I-864A creates its own legal obligations.

USCIS describes it as an agreement in which the household member promises to make income and/or assets available to help support the sponsored immigrant.

You should not simply add somebody else’s salary to yours because they live in your home.

Make sure the person’s income qualifies and complete the required documentation.

If you need a more general letter explaining family financial assistance rather than an I-864A contract, you can compare the situation with 7 Powerful Family Support Letter Samples.

What Happens If Your Income Is Not High Enough?

If you cannot meet the requirement with qualifying income and permitted assets, a qualifying joint sponsor may be an option.

A joint sponsor files a separate Form I-864 and accepts financial responsibility for the sponsored immigrant.

You should understand one important rule:

Using a joint sponsor normally does not eliminate the petitioning sponsor’s obligation to submit Form I-864.

USCIS states that the petitioning sponsor remains legally accountable even when one or more joint sponsors are used.

A joint sponsor also cannot simply contribute a small amount of income to fill your gap. The joint sponsor generally must qualify for the people that joint sponsor is sponsoring based on the applicable requirements.

USCIS instructions permit no more than two joint sponsors in circumstances where different joint sponsors sponsor different family members in the case.

What Is the Difference Between Form I-864 and Form I-864A?

You should think of the forms this way:

Form I-864: You use this when you are acting as the sponsor or qualifying joint sponsor.

Form I-864A: A qualifying household member can use this to make their income and/or assets available to support your sponsorship.

Form I-864A does not simply prove that your household member earns money. The household member also accepts enforceable financial obligations.

Does Form I-864 Have to Be Notarized?

You generally do not need to have Form I-864 notarized merely because the form is called an affidavit.

You should complete and sign the official form according to USCIS instructions.

This is another major difference between Form I-864 and many traditional affidavits.

If you are preparing an ordinary sworn statement instead, review What Is an Affidavit? for information about affidavits, declarations, signatures, and notarization.

What Does the New 2026 Form I-864 Change for You?

You should pay special attention to the edition date if you are preparing an I-864 now.

USCIS published an edition dated 08/24/26 on August 31, 2026.

As of September 22, 2026, current USCIS guidance states that there is a 30-day grace period for the previous 10/17/24 edition. Beginning October 1, 2026, USCIS says it will accept only the 08/24/26 edition.

The new edition includes a privacy release authorizing USCIS to request information from one or more consumer reporting agencies.

USCIS also warns that if you have a credit or security freeze on your consumer or credit report file, it may be unable to access information needed to assess the sufficiency of your Form I-864. USCIS advises you to respond promptly to requests to release a freeze.

Because form editions can change, your safest approach is to download a fresh copy directly from USCIS immediately before you prepare or submit your filing.

What Financial Responsibility Do You Accept When You Sign?

You should take the signature seriously.

By signing Form I-864, you agree to use your resources to support the sponsored immigrant when necessary under the terms of the affidavit.

This obligation can be enforceable.

In certain circumstances, the sponsored immigrant may be able to enforce the support obligation. Government agencies may also have reimbursement rights for certain means-tested public benefits provided to a sponsored immigrant.

This is why you should not agree to become a sponsor simply because somebody tells you:

“It is only paperwork.”

It is not merely a character reference or courtesy letter.

How Long Does Your I-864 Obligation Last?

Your obligation does not end simply because several years pass.

USCIS states that your sponsorship obligation generally continues until a terminating event occurs, such as when the sponsored immigrant:

• Becomes a U.S. citizen;
• Is credited with 40 qualifying quarters of work under Social Security rules;
• Ceases to be a lawful permanent resident under qualifying circumstances; or
• Dies.

Your obligation also ends when you die.

Forty qualifying quarters often corresponds roughly to 10 years of work, although qualifying quarters from a spouse or parent may sometimes count under the applicable rules.

Does Divorce End Your I-864 Responsibility?

No.

If you sponsor your spouse and later divorce, the divorce itself generally does not terminate your I-864 obligations.

USCIS expressly states in its I-864 instructions that divorce does not end the sponsorship obligation.

This is one of the most important points you should understand before signing Form I-864 for a spouse.

Can You Withdraw Form I-864 After You Sign It?

You should not assume you can cancel the obligation whenever you choose.

Timing matters.

An affidavit may sometimes be withdrawn while the underlying immigration application is still pending and before the sponsorship obligation becomes effective, but your ability to withdraw changes once permanent resident status has been granted.

If you are considering withdrawal because of separation, fraud concerns, a family dispute, or changed finances, you should obtain case-specific immigration advice quickly rather than relying on a generic letter.

What Is the Difference Between Form I-864 and a Personal Immigration Support Letter?

You should keep these documents separate.

If someone asks you for a character statement, you may need an Immigration Reference Letter for a Friend.

If someone asks you to explain character specifically, review Good Moral Character Letter for Immigration.

If you are being asked to explain hardship, review Immigration Hardship Letter for a Friend.

None of those documents should be confused with Form I-864.

Free Sample: Form I-864 Supporting Cover Letter

You generally do not need to replace or rewrite the official I-864. However, you can use a short cover letter to organize the financial documents you submit with your form when appropriate.

Here is a free sample you can customize.

[Your Full Legal Name]
[Your Street Address]
[City, State ZIP Code]
[Phone Number]
[Email Address]

[Date]

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
[Appropriate Filing Address, if applicable]

Re: Form I-864, Affidavit of Support for [Intending Immigrant’s Full Name]

Dear USCIS Officer:

I am submitting the enclosed Form I-864, Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the INA, in connection with the immigration application of [Intending Immigrant’s Full Name].

I am the [petitioner/joint sponsor, as applicable]. I have included the financial documentation supporting the income and other information reported on my Form I-864.

My supporting documents include:

1. Completed and signed Form I-864;
2. Proof of my U.S. citizenship, lawful permanent resident status, or other qualifying status, as applicable;
3. My most recent federal income tax transcript or required tax documentation;
4. My recent pay statements;
5. My employment verification documentation;
6. Evidence of qualifying assets, if applicable;
7. Form I-864A and supporting documents, if applicable; and
8. Any additional documentation required for my circumstances.

I respectfully submit these materials for consideration with the immigration application of [Intending Immigrant’s Full Name].

Thank you for your review.

Sincerely,

[Signature]

[Your Printed Full Name]

Important Note About This Sample

You should use this sample only as an optional organizational cover letter.

It does not replace Form I-864.

You must complete the current official USCIS Form I-864 and provide the evidence required for your circumstances.

What Documents Should You Double-Check Before Filing?

Before you send your packet, you should verify:

• You are using the correct I-864 edition.
• You completed every required field.
• Your name matches your supporting documents.
• Your Social Security number is entered where required.
• Your household size is correct.
• Your current income is reported correctly.
• Your tax information matches your supporting evidence.
• You have included required proof of status.
• Your assets are properly documented if you rely on them.
• Every necessary I-864A is included.
• Any joint sponsor has completed a separate I-864.
• You signed the form.
• Your supporting documents are readable.
• Required foreign-language documents have proper English translations.
• You followed the correct filing instructions for your particular case.

USCIS specifically warns that an unsigned Form I-864 will be rejected.

Common Form I-864 Mistakes You Should Avoid

1. You Use an Old Edition of the Form

Form editions change.

If you save an I-864 to your computer and finish it months later, you may accidentally submit an outdated version.

Always verify the edition immediately before filing.

2. You Calculate Your Household Size Incorrectly

An incorrect household size can cause you to use the wrong income threshold.

Count every person required under the I-864 rules.

3. You Confuse Current Income With Tax-Return Income

Your current annual income and historical tax information serve related but different purposes.

Make sure the numbers you report are supported by appropriate evidence.

4. You Add Another Person’s Income Without the Required Form

You cannot necessarily include a spouse’s or relative’s income simply because that person lives with you.

Determine whether Form I-864A is required.

5. You Assume a Joint Sponsor Replaces You

If you are the petitioning sponsor, you normally still have to submit your own Form I-864 even when a qualifying joint sponsor is used.

6. You Overvalue Your Assets

You should use the net value of qualifying assets rather than simply listing their purchase price or estimated gross value.

7. You Forget About Previous Sponsorships

If an obligation from an earlier Form I-864 is still active, the previously sponsored immigrant can affect your household calculation.

8. You Treat the Form Like a Simple Letter

This is one of the biggest mistakes you can make.

Your signature creates significant obligations. Read the sponsor contract carefully before signing.

9. You Forget to Sign

A perfectly prepared packet can still fail if you forget the signature.

USCIS specifically instructs sponsors not to forget to sign Form I-864.

10. You Assume Divorce Cancels Your Obligation

It does not automatically do so.

Your obligation generally continues until a qualifying terminating event occurs.

What Should You Do If You Receive a Request for Evidence?

If USCIS sends you a Request for Evidence, or RFE, concerning Form I-864, you should read the notice carefully and respond to every item requested.

An RFE may involve questions about:

• Household size
• Sponsor eligibility
• Income
• Tax filings
• Assets
• Joint-sponsor documentation
• I-864A documentation
• Missing signatures
• Missing evidence
• Form edition
• U.S. domicile
• Employment evidence

Do not simply resend the same documents without identifying what USCIS says is missing.

Organize your response so the officer can easily match each requested item to your evidence.

How Can You Make Your I-864 Packet Easier to Review?

You can make your submission more organized by:

1. Using a simple cover sheet.
2. Placing documents in a logical order.
3. Clearly identifying the sponsor and intending immigrant.
4. Keeping tax documents together.
5. Grouping employment evidence together.
6. Labeling asset evidence.
7. Separating each sponsor’s documents.
8. Checking that names and dates are consistent.
9. Keeping copies of everything you submit.
10. Following USCIS or National Visa Center instructions exactly.

If your immigration packet also contains personal letters, you can organize those separately using the examples in 15 Best Immigration Support Letter Samples.