Understanding the Financial Requirements of the Affidavit of Support
An affidavit of support is a legal document required of certain individuals who seek entry into the U.S. The document, formally known as Form I-864, is filed with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to prove that the immigration applicant has obtained a financial sponsor who will support them.
Come along with us as we delve into how to fill out Form I-864, the required supporting I-864 documents, and how to find a sponsor’s Alien Registration Number.
How to Fill Out Form I-864
The Form I-864 involves:
1. Verifying that you need to file an affidavit of support.
The Immediate Relative (IR), Family Preference (F), and, potentially, the Employment-Based (EB) categories require an I-864 filing.
In EB categories, applicants must file I-864 only when a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or U.S. national relative filed the immigrant visa petition or such relative has a significant ownership interest (5% or more) in the entity that filed the petition.
2. Completing all required parts of the Form I-864.
There are 11 parts of the Form I-864. Some parts are required and others are optional. Pay close attention to the form’s instructions to determine which parts you need to fill out. Navigate to the full comprehensive guide for how to fill out Form I-864 to review more specific instructions.
I-864 Checklist
The following documents are required or applicable to certain I-864 filings:
- Petitioner’s federal tax returns or IRS tax transcripts for the last 3 years
- W-2 forms for the last 3 years
- 1099 forms for the last 3 years (if applicable)
- Joint asset values (if applicable)
- Certificate of naturalization (for naturalized U.S. citizens)
- Copy of Green Card, Form I-551 (for permanent residents)
- Form I-864A (for some sponsors)
- Documentation of assets (if income doesn’t meet the minimum income requirements)
- Joint sponsor(s) tax returns and W-2 forms (if applicable)
The checklist will vary based on your unique circumstances. Reference the full I-864 checklist before filing to ensure that you’ve included all the documents needed for your application.
How to Find a Sponsor’s Alien Registration Number
A sponsor’s unique seven- to nine-digit Alien Registration Number—also referred to as the A-number, A#, or USCIS#—is needed to fill out Form I-864. You can find this identifier on:
- A Form I-485 receipt notice under “USCIS Alien Number”
- A biometrics appointment notice under “USCIS#”
- A Form I-129F approval notice under “Beneficiary” field
- An I-551 Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) under “USCIS#”
- A Naturalization Certificate in the “USCIS Registration Number” field
- An Employment Authorization Document (EAD) under “USCIS#”
- An Immigrant Visa under the “Registration Number” field
- A Form I-797 under “USCIS A#”
- A Form I-140 approval notice in the “Beneficiary” field
- An A-number is automatically assigned after an asylum application (Form I-589)
- Immigration court notices under “File#”
Keeping track of the identifier is essential throughout the U.S. immigration process. If you are unable to locate it, contact USCIS at 800-375-5283 to speak with a representative in English or Spanish.
