Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) Cover Letter

FORM I-864 AFFIDAVIT OF SUPPORT

COVER LETTER AND DOCUMENT PACKAGE

[DATE]

[SPONSOR NAME]
[ADDRESS]
[CITY, STATE ZIP]
[TELEPHONE]
[EMAIL]

VIA [USPS / FEDEX / INCLUDED WITH I-485 PACKAGE]

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
[USCIS ADDRESS]

OR

U.S. Department of State
National Visa Center
[NVC ADDRESS]

RE: Form I-864, Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the INA
Sponsor: [SPONSOR FULL NAME]
Intending Immigrant(s): [IMMIGRANT NAME(S)]
Underlying Petition: [I-130/I-140] Receipt Number: [NUMBER]
Case Type: ☐ Adjustment of Status ☐ Consular Processing
NVC Case Number (if applicable): [NUMBER]

Dear Immigration Officer / Consular Officer:

Enclosed please find Form I-864, Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the INA, executed by [SPONSOR NAME] on behalf of [INTENDING IMMIGRANT NAME(S)]. This Affidavit of Support demonstrates that the intending immigrant(s) will not become a public charge as required by INA § 212(a)(4).

I. SPONSOR INFORMATION

II. INTENDING IMMIGRANT(S)

III. TYPE OF AFFIDAVIT OF SUPPORT

☐ Form I-864 - Standard Affidavit of Support
☐ Petitioner as Sponsor
☐ Joint Sponsor (income combined with petitioner)
☐ Substitute Sponsor (petitioner died after approval)

☐ Form I-864A - Contract Between Sponsor and Household Member
(Used when household member's income is needed to meet requirements)

☐ Form I-864EZ - Simplified Affidavit
(Only available if sponsor is petitioner, using only own income, no household members needed)

☐ Form I-864W - Intending Immigrant's Affidavit of Support Exemption
(For immigrants exempt from affidavit requirement)

IV. HOUSEHOLD SIZE CALCULATION

A. Sponsor's Household

B. Poverty Guidelines (2026)

Using [YEAR] HHS Poverty Guidelines (48 Contiguous States)

Note: For Alaska and Hawaii, different poverty guidelines apply.

Sponsor's Household Size: [NUMBER]
Required Income (125% of Poverty): $[AMOUNT]
Sponsor's Qualifying Income: $[AMOUNT]

☐ Sponsor meets income requirement independently
☐ Household member income needed (Form I-864A)
☐ Joint sponsor required
☐ Assets used to supplement income

V. INCOME QUALIFICATION

A. Sponsor's Income

B. Household Member Income (If Using Form I-864A)

☐ Form I-864A enclosed for each household member

C. Joint Sponsor Income (If Applicable)

☐ Separate Form I-864 enclosed for joint sponsor

D. Combined Qualifying Income

☐ Total meets 125% of poverty guidelines for household size

VI. ASSET QUALIFICATION (If Income Insufficient)

If income alone does not meet the 125% requirement, assets may be used:

Asset Multiplier:

• Spouse or child of U.S. citizen: Assets must equal 3x the difference
• All other relationships: Assets must equal 5x the difference

Calculation:

• Required income (125%): $[AMOUNT]
• Available income: $[AMOUNT]
• Shortfall: $[AMOUNT]
• Asset requirement ([3x or 5x]): $[AMOUNT]

A. Sponsor's Assets

☐ Total assets meet requirement of $[AMOUNT]

VII. FORMS ENCLOSED

☐ Form I-864, Affidavit of Support (signed original)
☐ Form I-864A, Contract Between Sponsor and Household Member (if applicable)
☐ Form I-864 for Joint Sponsor (if applicable)
☐ Form I-864A for Joint Sponsor's Household Member (if applicable)

VIII. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CHECKLIST

A. Proof of Sponsor's Status (Required)

☐ Copy of U.S. Passport OR
☐ Copy of Naturalization Certificate OR
☐ Copy of Certificate of Citizenship OR
☐ Copy of U.S. Birth Certificate OR
☐ Copy of Permanent Resident Card (if LPR sponsor)

B. Tax Documentation (Required)

Option 1: IRS Tax Transcripts (Preferred)
☐ IRS Tax Return Transcript for most recent year
☐ IRS Tax Return Transcript for 2nd most recent year (if requested)
☐ IRS Tax Return Transcript for 3rd most recent year (if requested)

Option 2: Tax Returns with W-2s/1099s
☐ Complete Federal Tax Return (Form 1040) for most recent year
☐ All W-2 forms for most recent year
☐ All 1099 forms for most recent year
☐ Complete Federal Tax Returns for 2 prior years (if requested)

Note: Tax transcripts are free from IRS and cannot be altered, making them preferred by USCIS.

C. Evidence of Current Income (Required)

☐ Employment verification letter on company letterhead stating:

• Job title
• Date of hire
• Current salary/hourly wage
• Full-time/part-time status
• Likelihood of continued employment

☐ Recent pay stubs (last 6 months)

☐ Self-employment documentation (if applicable):

• Business license
• Profit/loss statement
• 1099 forms received
• Contracts/invoices

D. Asset Documentation (If Using Assets)

Bank Accounts:
☐ Bank statements (last 12 months)
☐ Certificate of deposit statements

Investments:
☐ Brokerage account statements
☐ Stock certificates
☐ Bond statements
☐ Retirement account statements (IRA, 401k)

Real Estate:
☐ Property deed
☐ Current mortgage statement
☐ Property appraisal (within 12 months)
☐ Property tax assessment

Other Assets:
☐ Vehicle titles and valuations
☐ Life insurance cash value statements
☐ Other asset documentation

E. Household Member Documentation (If Using Form I-864A)

For each household member contributing income:
☐ Form I-864A signed by household member and sponsor
☐ Proof of household member's status (if not U.S. citizen)
☐ Household member's tax transcripts or returns
☐ Household member's W-2s
☐ Household member's employment letter
☐ Household member's pay stubs

F. Joint Sponsor Documentation (If Applicable)

☐ Separate complete I-864 package for joint sponsor including all documentation listed above

IX. DOCUMENT INDEX

X. SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES

A. Self-Employed Sponsors

☐ Sponsor is self-employed
☐ Business tax returns (Schedule C) enclosed
☐ Profit/loss statements enclosed
☐ Business bank statements enclosed

B. Military Sponsors

☐ Sponsor is active duty U.S. Armed Forces
☐ Only 100% of poverty guidelines required (not 125%)
☐ Military LES (Leave and Earnings Statement) enclosed
☐ DD-214 enclosed (if veteran)

C. Multiple Sponsors

☐ Petitioner qualifies alone
☐ Household member income used (I-864A)
☐ Joint sponsor required
☐ Both petitioner and joint sponsor submitting I-864

D. Prior I-864 Obligations

☐ Sponsor has no prior I-864 obligations
☐ Sponsor has prior I-864 obligations for [NUMBER] persons
These are included in household size calculation

XI. CERTIFICATION

The sponsor(s) certify that:

1. ☐ The information in Form I-864 and supporting documents is true and correct

2. ☐ The sponsor understands this creates a legally enforceable contract

3. ☐ The sponsor's obligation continues until:
   - The immigrant becomes a U.S. citizen
   - The immigrant has worked 40 qualifying quarters
   - The immigrant departs the U.S. permanently
   - The immigrant dies
   - The sponsor dies

4. ☐ The sponsor may be sued to reimburse government agencies for public benefits provided to the immigrant

5. ☐ The immigrant may sue the sponsor to enforce support obligations

XII. INCOME REQUIREMENT VERIFICATION

Summary:

☐ INCOME REQUIREMENT MET

XIII. CONTACT INFORMATION

Sponsor:
[NAME]
[ADDRESS]
[PHONE]
[EMAIL]

Joint Sponsor (if applicable):
[NAME]
[ADDRESS]
[PHONE]
[EMAIL]

Attorney/Representative:
[NAME]
[FIRM]
[ADDRESS]
[PHONE]
[EMAIL]

Respectfully submitted,

_______________________________
[SPONSOR SIGNATURE]

[SPONSOR PRINTED NAME]
[DATE]

REMINDER: SPONSOR'S CONTINUING OBLIGATION

By signing Form I-864, the sponsor enters a legally binding contract. The obligation:

• Is enforceable by the immigrant AND by government agencies
• Continues regardless of divorce or separation
• Cannot be terminated by written agreement
• Ends ONLY when the immigrant: naturalizes, works 40 quarters, permanently departs, or dies

This template is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Affidavit of Support requirements are complex. Consult with a qualified immigration attorney for specific guidance.