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Fill Out Form I-864 in 2026

Show that your sponsored family member has enough financial support to avoid relying on public assistance, then sign and download your copy for your records.

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How to fill out an I-864 Form

Follow the steps below to complete it with confidence.

1

Open the form

Access the pre-loaded USCIS Form I-864 in our editor, no upload needed.

2

Fill in your details

Complete every required field, including sponsor income and household size.

3

Download as PDF

Download your completed I-864 Form PDF, ready for signature and filing.

What is a I-864 Form?

Form I-864, Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the INA, is a contract a sponsor signs promising to support an intending immigrant financially. It proves the immigrant has enough financial support and won't need government aid. The sponsor's duty is legally binding and usually continues until the immigrant becomes a U.S. citizen or earns 40 work quarters, roughly 10 years of covered employment.

Key Takeaways

  • Form I-864 is a legally binding support contract
  • Sponsor promises financial support for immigrant
  • Duty ends at citizenship or 40 work quarters

What is a Form I-864 used for?

Sponsors file this form to show they can support an immigrant financially.

It serves several purposes:

  • Proves the sponsored immigrant has enough financial support and won't need government aid
  • Creates a legally binding contract that obligates the sponsor to support the immigrant
  • Meets the public-charge rules under INA Sections 212(a)(4) and 213A
  • Must go with Form I-485 or the immigrant visa application before approval

What information is required on a I-864 Form?

  • Part 1, Basis for Filing Affidavit of Support

    Check the box stating why you file, such as petitioner, joint sponsor, or substitute sponsor.

  • Part 2, Information About the Principal Immigrant

    Enter the immigrant's name, A-Number, USCIS Online Account Number, and mailing or physical address.

  • Part 3, Information About the Immigrants You Are Sponsoring

    List each sponsored family member and give the total number of immigrants sponsored.

  • Part 4/5, Information About You (Sponsor) and Household Size

    Give your mailing address and enter counts for spouse, dependent children, and other dependents.

  • Part 6, Sponsor's Employment and Income

    Report your current individual annual income and total income from your last three tax returns.

  • Part 6, Household Member Income

    List any household member's name, relationship, and income counted toward your total household income.

  • Part 7, Use of Assets to Supplement Income

    Enter savings and checking balances plus the net cash value of any real estate.

  • Part 8, Sponsor's Contract

    Sign and date, agreeing to accept the legal obligations described in this affidavit.

When is a I-864 Form due?

Form I-864 is due when the intending immigrant files for a green card. Submit it together with Form I-485 for adjustment of status, or with the DS-260 through the National Visa Center for consular processing. The sponsor's signature must be less than one year old at filing, or a new affidavit is required.

Prepare your I-864 affidavit

Open the Form I-864 affidavit of support here, fill in your sponsor details, and download the completed document.

Fill this form

When is a I-864 Form not required?

You skip the affidavit when the immigrant already has 40 quarters of Social Security coverage, will gain citizenship automatically under the Child Citizenship Act, self-petitions as a widow or VAWA abuse victim, or immigrated as an adopted orphan with a parent who met the two-year residence test. Claim the exemption on Form I-864W instead of filing I-864.

What does a I-864 form look like

Related documents

Other forms people fill out alongside this one.

I-130

DS-64

Form DS-11

Frequently asked questions

The principal immigrant is the person named in Part 3 of the form. This is usually the immigrant you filed a visa petition for. If that person has a spouse or children coming with them, you list those family members separately on the form.

Your country of domicile is your true, permanent home. For Form I-864, you must show that the United States is your domicile, meaning it's where you plan to live for the foreseeable future. If you currently live abroad, you'll need to show you've already moved back to the U.S. or that you plan to do so before the immigrant arrives.

The affidavit of support is a signed contract. It states that you'll use your income and assets to support the immigrant named on the form once they become a lawful permanent resident. This promise is legally binding. Your duty as sponsor usually continues until the immigrant becomes a U.S. citizen or earns 40 quarters of work history, about 10 years.

A joint sponsor is someone who agrees to help support the immigrant when the main sponsor's income falls short. This person must meet the same income and residency rules as the petitioner, but does not need to be related to the immigrant. Each joint sponsor must meet the income requirement on their own, without combining income with the petitioner.

You'll need proof of your U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status, along with a copy of your most recent federal tax return and W-2s. If you weren't required to file taxes, include a short written explanation instead. You should also add proof of current employment. If you're counting a household member's income, include proof of their relationship to you, their residency, and their recent tax documents as well.
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