U.S. Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs

CHECKLIST FOR PREPARING THE I-864

READ THIS BEFORE PREPARING AND SUBMITTING FORM I-864

Please use this checklist to assemble Form I-864 Affidavit of Support documents. We cannot accept affidavits of support that are incomplete or have not been assembled correctly.

Please submit documents in the following order:


For the Petitioner/Sponsor


I. Petitioner's documents:

Form I-864 - General: The petitioner in family immigrant cases, or the relative who either filed the petition or has ownership interest in the petitioning company in employment-based cases, must complete a Form I-864. This is true even if a joint sponsor gives an affidavit of support.

  • Put all pages in correct order, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, and staple them together.

  • Fill out each page completely.

  • Sign Part 7 in front of a notary public. The petitioner signs in family immigrant cases. The relative signs in employment-based cases.

 

Federal Income Tax Returns: Complete federal tax returns with all supporting schedules for the three most recent tax years.

  • Each year's returns must have all pages in the correct order and must be stapled together.

  • If you don't have your tax returns or you filed electronically, call the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) at I-800-829-1040 to get printouts of your Federal income tax returns for the last three years. Ask for printouts of your tax returns or Letter 1722, which is a summary of your tax returns. This service is free from IRS.

  • Submit W-2 forms if you filed joint tax returns, and you are using only your income to sponsor.

  • If you did not have to file a tax return:

  • Attach a written explanation of why you had no legal duty to file Federal income tax returns.

  • The 1040 Instructions provide information on most income tax obligations. The Instructions will explain who has a legal duty to file. You can read the instruction booklets on www.irs.gov.

 

Income Requirement: If you need assets to meet the minimum income requirement:

  • Attach evidence of assets with a cash value that equals at least five times the difference between your total household income and 125 percent of the poverty guideline for your household size;

                      Example for a household size of 4:

                               125 percent of poverty guideline                         $22,625 (2002)
                                              sponsor's income              $18,000
                                                         Difference               $ 4,625
                                                     Multiply by 5                 x     5
                      Minimum required cash value of assets                        $23,125
  • Attach evidence of ownership, location and the value of each asset; and

  • Attach evidence of liens, mortgages and liabilities (if any) for each asset

  • Attach evidence of current employment or self-employment, such as a recent pay statement or a statement from your employer on business stationery. The letter from your employer should show the beginning date of employment, type of work you do and how much money you make.


For Joint Sponsor


II. Joint Sponsor's documents (if required):

General: Form I-864 completed by a joint sponsor if the petitioner's income does not meet the 125% income requirement.

Note: The petitioner must also submit an I-864.

  • Put all pages in correct order, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and staple them together

  • Fill out each page completely
  • Sign Part 7 in front of a notary public.

Federal Income Tax Returns: Complete Federal income tax returns with all supporting schedules for the 3 most recent tax years.

  • Each year's return must have all pages in the correct order and must be stapled together.
  • If you don't have your tax returns or you filed electronically, call the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) at I-800-829-1040 to get printouts of your Federal income tax returns for the last three years. Ask for printouts of your tax returns or Letter 1722, which is a summary of your tax returns. This service is free from IRS.

  • Submit W-2 forms if you filed joint tax returns and you are using only your income to sponsor.

  • If you did not have to file a tax return:

      • Attach a written explanation of why you had no legal duty to file Federal income tax returns.

      • The 1040 Instructions provide information on most income tax obligations. The Instructions will explain who has a legal duty to file. You can read the instruction booklets on www.irs.gov.


Income Requirement: If you need to include assets to meet the minimum income requirement:

  • Attach evidence of assets with a cash value that equals at least five times the difference between your total household income and 125 percent of the poverty guideline for your household size. 

                     Example for a household size of 4:

                               125 percent of poverty guideline                         $22,625 (2002)
                                              sponsor's income              $18,000
                                                         Difference               $ 4,625
                                                     Multiply by 5                 x     5
                      Minimum required cash value of assets                        $23,125
  • Attach evidence of ownership, location and the value of each asset

  • Attach evidence of liens, mortgages and liabilities (if any) for each asset

  • Attach evidence of current employment or self-employment, such as a recent pay statement or a statement from your employer on business stationery. The letter from your employer must give the beginning date of employment, the type of work you do and how much money you make.
    Citizenship or LPR Status: Proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident (LPR) status


For Household Members (I-864A)


III. Household Members whose income and assets are to be considered:

General: You need a separate Form I-864A for each household member whose income and assets are to be considered.

  • Each page must be filled out completely and stapled together.

  • Part 2 and Part 5 must be completed by sponsor and notarized

  • Part 3 or Part 4 and Part 6 must be completed by the household member and notarized

Federal Income Tax Return: All tax documents must be assembled in the same manner as the sponsor's (see above) and attached to the correct I-864A.

Income Requirement: All employment and asset documents must be assembled in the same manner as the sponsor's (see above) and attached to the correct I-864A.


For Principal Applicants (Immigrants) and Accompanying Dependents


IV. Documents for the principal applicants (immigrants) and accompanying dependents:

General: Principal Applicant: Original signed and notarized I-864 and I-864A (if needed) and one complete set of supporting documents (tax records, employment letters, etc.) are needed for each principal applicant. You must list all accompanying dependents in Part 3 of the I-864 and Part 2 of the I-864A.

Accompanying dependents: For accompanying dependents who will immigrate with the principal applicant:

  • Each dependent must have either a signed and notarized original or a photocopy of the principal applicant's signed and notarized I-864 and I-864A (if needed).

  • You can use photocopies only for dependents whose names appear on the principal applicant's original petition and Form I-864 and I-864A (if needed) for the principal applicant.

  • You don't need photocopies of supporting documents for accompanying dependents applying for visas or adjustment of status together with the principal applicant.
 
 

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