Form I-864, Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A
Form I-864 is the sponsor’s binding promise: family-based immigrants must have a petitioner who shows income at 125% of the poverty guidelines and accepts financial responsibility.
This is the genuine USCIS PDF, unmodified. Source: USCIS official page.
What is I-864?
Form I-864 is a legally enforceable contract between a sponsor and the US government: the sponsor agrees to maintain the immigrant at 125% of the federal poverty guidelines (100% for active military sponsoring a spouse or child) and to repay means-tested public benefits the immigrant receives. The obligation survives divorce and ends only at citizenship, 40 quarters of work, departure, or death.
Income is proved with federal tax returns and current evidence. Falling short, sponsors can add household member income via I-864A, count assets at the required multiple, or bring in a joint sponsor who files their own I-864.
Who files I-864?
- Every petitioner in family-based immigration, regardless of income
- Joint sponsors making up an income shortfall
- Household members contributing income through Form I-864A
How to fill out I-864
- Enter the immigrant’s details and your relationship as sponsor.
- Compute your household size using the form’s counting rules.
- Report current income and attach your latest federal tax return or transcript, with W-2s or 1099s.
- List assets if income alone misses the threshold.
- Download, sign, and include it in the immigrant’s consular or adjustment package.
Quick fill I-864 on this page
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Frequently asked questions
How much income do I need?
125% of the poverty guideline for your household size including the immigrants sponsored. The guideline figures update annually in Form I-864P at uscis.gov.
Does divorce end my obligation?
No. The contract runs until the immigrant becomes a citizen, earns 40 quarters, leaves permanently, or dies. Divorce does not terminate it, and courts have enforced it.