Prepare I-864 – Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the INA

Who this page is for

This page is for petitioners, sponsors, joint sponsors, and household members who want a structured way to prepare the information needed for Form I-864, Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the INA. It is intended for people gathering income, household size, and financial details so they can copy those details into the official USCIS form. The guide is also useful for intending immigrants who want to review the main topics covered on Form I-864 in a browser-friendly layout before the affidavit is printed, signed, and submitted with an immigrant visa or adjustment of status application.

What is Form I-864?

Form I-864, Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the INA, is a financial support contract used in many family-based and some employment-based immigration cases. The sponsor signs this affidavit to show that the intending immigrant will have adequate financial support and is unlikely to rely on certain means-tested public benefits after becoming a permanent resident. USCIS and U.S. consular officers review the affidavit as part of deciding whether the financial sponsorship requirement is met for a green card or immigrant visa.

Used by certain family-based and employment-based immigrant visa applicants to show they have adequate means of financial support and are not likely to become a public charge.

By signing Form I-864, the sponsor agrees to maintain the sponsored immigrant at or above a specified percentage of the federal poverty guidelines for as long as the obligation is in effect. This obligation is legally enforceable and continues until certain events occur, such as the immigrant becoming a U.S. citizen or earning enough qualifying work quarters. The affidavit is one part of the overall eligibility review and does not replace other USCIS forms or requirements in the case.

On this page you prepare for the official USCIS Form I-864 (Edition current as of deployment) by understanding what it covers and where to find the most recent instructions. You can then download the official PDF, review it carefully, sign where required, and follow USCIS or consular directions for filing the affidavit of support and supporting evidence.

Example situations where someone may need Form I-864

People use Form I-864 in a range of immigration processes where financial sponsorship is part of the eligibility review. Examples include:

• Family-based immigration, where a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident sponsors a spouse, child, parent, or certain other relatives and must show that the sponsored immigrant will have financial support.
• Consular processing, where the National Visa Center collects Form I-864 and supporting financial documents before a family-based immigrant visa interview at a U.S. consulate abroad.
• Adjustment of status in the United States, where sponsors submit Form I-864 to USCIS as part of a green card application filed from within the country.
• Certain employment-based cases where a relative owns a significant share of the petitioning company and USCIS guidance indicates that an affidavit of support is required in addition to employment evidence.

These examples are illustrative and based on general USCIS and Department of State guidance. They do not replace the official Form I-864 instructions or any case-specific information you receive from USCIS, the National Visa Center, or a consulate.

How to fill Form I-864

The official USCIS instructions for Form I-864 explain the exact structure of the affidavit of support and how each part should be completed. While this page does not display the full form line-by-line, the outline below shows the kinds of sections you typically see on the current edition. You can use this overview to organize your information before you start filling out the official USCIS PDF or any online process described in your case instructions.

1. Information about the sponsor. Form I-864 begins by asking for the sponsor’s name, contact information, date and place of birth, immigration status, and other biographic details. USCIS uses this information to confirm that the sponsor meets age, domicile, and status requirements.
2. Information about the immigrants being sponsored. The form then collects details about the principal immigrant and, where applicable, accompanying family members. This section identifies who is covered by the affidavit and how they relate to the sponsor and to the underlying immigrant petition.
3. Household size calculation. USCIS asks the sponsor to calculate household size according to specific rules, including the sponsor, certain dependents, the sponsored immigrant, and sometimes additional relatives or household members. This number determines the income threshold that applies under the federal poverty guidelines.
4. Income and employment information. Form I-864 includes questions about current employment, annual income, and, if needed, income or assets from household members or joint sponsors. Sponsors typically refer to federal tax returns, W-2s, and other documentation when answering these questions.
5. Assets, if used. Some sponsors list assets such as savings, property, or other resources to help meet the financial threshold. The instructions describe how to convert asset values into amounts that can be counted on Form I-864 and when assets may be necessary.
6. Certifications, statements, and signature. Like many USCIS forms, Form I-864 includes statements the sponsor must read and certify, followed by signature blocks for the sponsor and, if applicable, interpreters or preparers. USCIS uses these sections to confirm that the sponsor understands the obligations and that the information provided is accurate to the best of their knowledge.

After you review the USCIS instructions and gather your information, download the official Form I-864, fill it out according to the instructions, sign where required, assemble your financial evidence, and follow USCIS or consular guidance on how and where to submit your affidavit of support.

Common mistakes on Form I-864

• Miscounting household size by forgetting to include certain dependents or household members that the USCIS instructions say must be listed.
• Using income figures that do not match the tax return or failing to explain recent changes in income when current earnings differ from the latest filed return.
• Leaving key questions blank, such as immigration status, U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status of the sponsor, or missing required signature fields.
• Forgetting to attach required financial evidence, such as federal tax returns, W-2s, or proof of assets, when USCIS or the National Visa Center expects them.
• Assuming divorce or personal disagreements automatically end the sponsor's legal obligations under the affidavit of support without checking the events listed in the instructions.
• Using an outdated edition of Form I-864 when USCIS has required a newer edition date for filing.
• Not completing a separate I-864 or I-864A when joint sponsors or household members are relied upon to meet the poverty guideline threshold.
• Sending incomplete or unsigned affidavits, which can lead to requests for evidence (RFEs) or delays in immigrant visa or green card processing.

When Form I-864 is usually not used

Form I-864 is required in many cases, but there are situations where a different form or no affidavit of support is used instead:

• Certain straightforward family-based cases may use Form I-864EZ if they meet the eligibility criteria described in the USCIS instructions.
• Some immigrants with sufficient qualifying work history in the United States or other specific categories may use Form I-864W, which is an exemption from the standard affidavit of support requirement.
• Situations where financial sponsorship is not required under the law, such as some self-petitioners or special immigrant categories, can fall outside the Form I-864 framework.
• Temporary visitor visas and many nonimmigrant categories do not use Form I-864 and rely on different eligibility standards and evidence.

These are broad distinctions based on USCIS and Department of State guidance. The official instructions and the agencies handling the case ultimately determine whether Form I-864, another form, or no affidavit of support is required.

Where to find the official USCIS instructions for Form I-864

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services publishes the official instructions and the latest edition of Form I-864 on its website. The instructions explain who must submit the affidavit of support, how to calculate household size, how to count income and assets, and how long the obligations last. You can read them on the official USCIS Form I-864 page, which also links to the separate instructions PDF and related guidance.

Before you sign and file Form I-864, it is a good idea to compare your completed affidavit with the USCIS instructions to confirm that you are using the correct edition, have included all required pages, and understand what additional forms or steps may be needed in your type of case.

Where to get a blank or replacement Form I-864

If you need a blank affidavit, you can download the current official Form I-864 PDF directly from USCIS. This page points you to that official PDF so you can print, sign, and include it in a filing package that meets USCIS or consular requirements. Sponsors and applicants can also obtain blank copies from USCIS or consular resources linked on the main I-864 information page.

If you realize that you made an error after preparing or filing an affidavit, USCIS instructions and notices explain how corrections or updates may be handled. Keeping a copy of your final signed I-864 and supporting documents can make it easier to understand what USCIS or the National Visa Center has on file and to prepare any future filings or responses.

Glossary of key terms on Form I-864

Sponsor

The sponsor is the person who signs Form I-864, agreeing to support the intending immigrant. In many cases, this is the same person who filed the immigrant petition with USCIS. The sponsor must usually be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident who meets specific age, domicile, and income requirements described in the Form I-864 instructions.

Joint sponsor

A joint sponsor is an additional sponsor who submits a separate Form I-864 when the primary sponsor's income does not meet the financial threshold. Joint sponsors assume similar obligations for the sponsored immigrant, but their responsibilities are generally limited to the individuals listed on their own affidavits. USCIS instructions explain when joint sponsors are permitted and how many may be used in a case.

Household size

Household size is the number used to determine the income threshold on Form I-864. It generally includes the sponsor, certain dependents, the sponsored immigrant, and in some cases additional relatives or household members whose income is being counted. The affidavit of support instructions provide detailed steps for calculating this number correctly.

Means-tested public benefits

Means-tested public benefits are certain federal, state, or local benefits where eligibility is based on income or financial need. Some of these benefits may be relevant to enforcing a sponsor's obligations under Form I-864. Official USCIS and government guidance explains which programs are considered means-tested and how they relate to the affidavit of support.

Security best practices when sharing a completed I-864

Form I-864 contains detailed personal and financial information about the sponsor and sometimes about household members. Because it includes income figures, Social Security numbers, A-Numbers, and other identifiers, it is important to handle the affidavit of support with care. Many sponsors prefer to use delivery methods that are reasonably secure and consistent with the instructions they receive from USCIS, the National Visa Center, or a consulate.

• Check whether the agency or legal representative handling the case provides a secure upload portal or other protected method for submitting Form I-864 and supporting documents.
• Avoid sending sensitive financial details through unencrypted channels when more secure alternatives are available.
• Store digital copies of the completed affidavit and supporting evidence in locations that are protected with appropriate passwords or security tools.
• Confirm that any request for your I-864 information comes from a legitimate source connected to your immigration case before sharing personal or financial data.

These are general security considerations and do not replace the instructions from USCIS, the National Visa Center, a consulate, or a qualified legal advisor about how to submit documents in your specific case.

Common questions people also ask about Form I-864

• Does Form I-864 affect my own eligibility for public benefits? Sponsors sometimes ask whether signing Form I-864 changes their own eligibility for benefits. The affidavit focuses on the sponsor's obligation toward the immigrant, and official guidance explains how it interacts with particular programs and recovery rules.
• Can more than one person sponsor the same immigrant? In some cases, a petitioner and a joint sponsor both submit affidavits of support. USCIS instructions describe how joint sponsors work, how many can be used in a family unit, and how their obligations apply to specific immigrants in the case.
• What happens if my income changes after filing Form I-864? A change in income may lead to requests for updated evidence or a new affidavit of support, depending on where the case is in the process. Agencies review the information available at the time of decision and may ask for current documentation if they need to confirm that the financial requirement is still met.

FAQ about Form I-864

Important disclaimer

This site is not a law firm and is not affiliated with USCIS, the U.S. Department of State, or any other government agency. It provides a private, third-party resource to help you understand and prepare for the official Form I-864, Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the INA. The information on this page is general and does not replace the official USCIS instructions, State Department guidance, or professional legal advice. Always review your completed form and follow the directions from USCIS, the National Visa Center, and any qualified representative assisting with your case.