A sponsor must provide proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident status, including a copy of a U.S. passport, birth certificate, or green card. Income evidence such as recent tax returns, W-2s, or pay stubs is required to demonstrate financial ability to support the immigrant. Proof of employment and a completed Form I-864, Affidavit of Support, signed by the sponsor are essential for the affidavit to be accepted.
What Documents Does a Sponsor Need for Affidavit of Support (Form I-864)?
| Number | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joint Sponsor Documentation | Joint sponsors must provide proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident status, their most recent federal income tax returns, W-2 forms, and pay stubs to demonstrate financial ability to support the immigrant. Supporting documentation can also include an employment verification letter, proof of current income, and evidence of domicile in the United States to meet requirements for the Affidavit of Support (Form I-864). |
| 2 | Domicile Proof | To establish domicile for Form I-864, sponsors must provide evidence such as recent lease agreements, utility bills, or a valid driver's license showing their current U.S. address. Proof of employment or an affidavit from a third party confirming the sponsor's residence can further substantiate domicile requirements for immigration purposes. |
| 3 | Recent Federal Tax Transcripts | Sponsors must submit recent federal tax transcripts from the IRS covering the most recent three tax years to complete the Affidavit of Support (Form I-864). These transcripts provide proof of income and are essential for demonstrating the sponsor's financial ability to support the immigrant without reliance on public benefits. |
| 4 | Asset Evidence (if income insufficient) | Sponsors submitting Form I-864 must provide evidence of assets if their income falls below the Federal Poverty Guidelines for the household size. Acceptable documents include bank statements, property appraisals, stocks, bonds, or other liquid assets demonstrating that the net worth meets or exceeds the required threshold to support the immigrant financially. |
| 5 | IRS Form W-2 | Sponsors submitting an Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) must provide IRS Form W-2 as proof of income earned, demonstrating their financial ability to support the intending immigrant. These wage statements, along with recent tax returns, verify consistent employment and income stability required by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). |
| 6 | Proof of U.S. Citizenship/Residency | Sponsors must provide proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency when submitting an Affidavit of Support (Form I-864), which can include a U.S. passport, birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or a valid green card. These documents establish the sponsor's legal status and eligibility to support the intending immigrant financially. |
| 7 | Employment Verification Letter | A sponsor must provide an Employment Verification Letter as part of Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) documentation to prove stable income and job stability. This letter should include job title, salary, start date, and confirmation of ongoing employment from the employer to satisfy USCIS income requirements. |
| 8 | Household Member’s Income Evidence | Household members who contribute income to the Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) must provide evidence such as recent pay stubs, federal tax returns, W-2 forms, and employment verification letters to demonstrate their financial ability. These documents substantiate the combined income ensuring the sponsor meets the minimum poverty guidelines set by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for immigration sponsorship. |
| 9 | Sworn Statement on Intent to Re-establish Domicile | A sponsor must provide a sworn statement on their intent to re-establish domicile in the United States when submitting Form I-864, Affidavit of Support, demonstrating a clear plan to reside in the U.S. before the immigrant's arrival. This statement is crucial for proving the sponsor's ability and commitment to financially support the intending immigrant within the U.S. jurisdiction. |
| 10 | Divorce Decree/Marriage Certificate (proof of relationship for joint sponsors) | Sponsors submitting Form I-864 must provide a valid divorce decree or marriage certificate to establish proof of relationship when applying as joint sponsors. These legal documents verify marital status or prior dissolution, ensuring accurate assessment of financial responsibilities for the intending immigrant. |
Overview of the Affidavit of Support (Form I-864)
The Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) is a legally binding document submitted by a sponsor to demonstrate financial responsibility for an immigrant. This form is required by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to ensure the immigrant will not become a public charge.
To support the affidavit, the sponsor must provide proof of income through recent tax returns, W-2 forms, and employment verification. Additionally, a copy of the sponsor's U.S. passport, green card, or proof of citizenship is necessary to confirm eligibility.
Importance of the Sponsor Document Checklist
| Document Type | Description | Importance |
|---|---|---|
| Proof of U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Residency | Birth certificate, U.S. passport, naturalization certificate, or green card. | Establishes the sponsor's legal status to submit Form I-864. |
| Recent Federal Income Tax Returns | Copies of IRS Form 1040, W-2s, or 1099s from the last tax year. | Verifies the sponsor's financial ability to support the intending immigrant. |
| Employment Verification | Letter from employer, pay stubs, or employment contracts. | Confirms current income and employment status. |
| Proof of Domicile in the U.S. | Lease agreement, mortgage statement, utility bills, or state ID. | Demonstrates the sponsor's residence within the United States. |
| Federal Benefit Transcripts | IRS Income Transcripts or tax return transcripts. | Supports accuracy of declared income and financial information. |
| Additional Supporting Documents | Divorce decrees, death certificates, or proof of joint tax return if applicable. | Clarifies household income or marital status affecting financial obligations. |
The Importance of the Sponsor Document Checklist cannot be overstated. It ensures the affidavit of support is complete and accurate, reducing processing delays. Careful organization of these documents helps demonstrate the financial responsibility required by immigration authorities. Collecting and presenting the required paperwork correctly supports your affidavit of support submission, paving the way for a smoother immigration process.
Eligibility Requirements for I-864 Sponsors
Sponsors submitting Form I-864 must meet specific eligibility requirements to support an intending immigrant. Proper documentation is essential to prove financial ability and legal status.
- Proof of U.S. Citizenship or Legal Permanent Residency - Sponsors must provide a copy of a U.S. passport, birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or green card to verify their status.
- Income Evidence - Recent federal income tax returns, W-2 forms, and proof of current employment or income demonstrate the sponsor's financial capability to support the immigrant.
- Household Size Documentation - Documentation such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, or evidence of dependents is required to establish the accurate household size for income qualification.
Primary Documents Required for Form I-864
The primary documents required for the Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) establish the sponsor's identity and financial ability to support the immigrant. Proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident status is essential.
Income verification documents include recent federal tax returns, W-2s, and pay stubs. Evidence of assets may be necessary if income does not meet the required threshold for sponsorship.
Proof of U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Residency
Proof of U.S. citizenship or permanent residency is a crucial requirement for sponsors submitting the Affidavit of Support (Form I-864). This documentation verifies the sponsor's legal status in the United States, ensuring eligibility to support the intending immigrant.
You must provide evidence such as a U.S. passport, birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or a copy of your Permanent Resident Card. These documents confirm your status and demonstrate your ability to fulfill the financial responsibilities outlined in the affidavit. Proper submission of these proofs helps avoid delays in the immigration process.
Evidence of Income and Employment
To complete the Affidavit of Support (Form I-864), the sponsor must provide evidence of income and employment to prove financial capability. Documentation typically includes recent pay stubs, IRS tax returns, and an employment verification letter from the current employer. You should ensure these documents clearly demonstrate stable and sufficient income to support the intending immigrant.
Tax Return and IRS Transcript Requirements
Sponsors submitting the Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) must provide specific tax documents to prove their financial ability. IRS tax return transcripts are essential to verify income and support obligations.
- Most recent federal tax return - A complete copy of the sponsor's latest IRS tax return is necessary to demonstrate financial status.
- IRS tax return transcript - An official IRS transcript is required to confirm the accuracy of the submitted tax return figures.
- Tax return for spouse and dependents - If applicable, tax documents of household members can be included to strengthen the sponsor's financial profile.
Providing accurate tax returns and IRS transcripts ensures compliance with USCIS requirements for Form I-864.
Additional Financial Support Documents
To complete the Affidavit of Support (Form I-864), you need to provide additional financial support documents that prove your ability to support the intending immigrant. These documents include recent federal income tax returns, W-2 forms, and recent pay stubs. Bank statements and evidence of assets may also be required to demonstrate sufficient financial resources.
Supporting Evidence for Household Members
Supporting evidence for household members is essential to prove their contribution to the sponsor's income on Form I-864. Proper documentation ensures USCIS accurately assesses the sponsor's financial ability to support the immigrant.
- Proof of Relationship - Documents such as birth certificates, marriage licenses, or adoption records confirm the household members' connections to the sponsor.
- Income Evidence - Recent tax returns, W-2 forms, or pay stubs demonstrate the household members' income, which can be combined with the sponsor's income to meet the financial requirements.
- Proof of Residency - Lease agreements, utility bills, or other official mail prove that the household members reside at the sponsor's address, validating their inclusion in the household size.
What Documents Does a Sponsor Need for Affidavit of Support (Form I-864)? Infographic
