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I-864 Affidavit of Support Checklist: Documents for Sponsors

What a sponsor sends with Form I-864: tax return, W-2s, proof of income and status, plus what a joint sponsor, household members and assets need.

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Who signs it, and how much income is needed

The U.S. citizen or green card holder who filed the petition is the sponsor. The sponsor's income generally must be at least 125% of the federal poverty guidelines for the household size, or 100% for active-duty military sponsoring a spouse or child. The current numbers are on Form I-864P.

If the income is not enough, the sponsor can add household members' income, use assets, or find a joint sponsor. USCIS lists 08/24/26 as the current edition of Form I-864. Check the form page before you file.

Documents to gather

The sponsor

  • Form I-864, signed
  • A copy of the most recent federal income tax return, with W-2s, every 1099 and schedule, or proof you did not have to file
  • Proof of current income: recent pay stubs or a letter from your employer
  • Proof of status: U.S. birth certificate, passport, Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship, or both sides of your green card

If you count a household member's income

  • Form I-864A from each household member whose income or assets you use
  • Proof they live with you and how they are related to you
  • Their tax return and proof of income

If you use assets

  • Proof you own them and what they are worth: bank statements, deeds and appraisals, minus any loans
  • Assets must usually be worth at least 5 times the income shortfall, or 3 times for the spouse of a U.S. citizen

If a joint sponsor helps

  • A separate Form I-864 from the joint sponsor
  • Their tax return, proof of income and proof of U.S. citizenship or green card status

If the sponsor lives abroad

  • Proof the U.S. is still your home, or that you will move back before or with the immigrant: for example a U.S. job offer, lease or bank accounts

Before you send it

  • Use the current edition and sign the form.
  • Make the household size match the people you list.
  • Keep every page of the tax return together, with its W-2s and schedules.
  • Keep a full copy of what you send.

Keep the whole case in one place

The Affidavit of Support goes with Form I-485, or to the National Visa Center for a spouse abroad. Case Album puts your forms, tax documents, civil documents and photos in one clear PDF, in your browser. Nothing is uploaded to us. You see every page free and pay only to save the file.

This is general information, not legal advice. Check the current USCIS instructions for your form, or ask an immigration attorney about your own case.

Frequently asked questions

How much income does an I-864 sponsor need?

Generally at least 125% of the federal poverty guidelines for the household size, or 100% for active-duty military sponsoring a spouse or child. Form I-864P has the current numbers.

How many years of tax returns do I need for Form I-864?

USCIS asks for the most recent tax year: a copy of the federal return with W-2s, 1099s and schedules, or an IRS transcript, or proof you did not have to file.

What if my income is not enough?

You can add a household member's income with Form I-864A, use assets, or ask a joint sponsor to file a separate Form I-864.

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Official references

Case Album is independent software, not affiliated with USCIS. This guide is general information, not legal advice. Read our editorial standards.

I-130 Spouse Checklist: Evidence and Documents to SubmitWhat to send with Form I-130 for your spouse, plus Form I-485 if your spouse is in the U.S.: civil documents, photos, Form I-130A and proof of a real marriage.Spouse Visa Checklist (CR-1/IR-1): NVC Documents and InterviewSpouse abroad after I-130 approval? What to send the National Visa Center, the civil documents to collect and what to bring to the embassy interview.K-1 to Green Card: I-485 Checklist After the WeddingMarried on a K-1? What to send with Form I-485 for your green card: marriage certificate, K-1 visa, I-94, I-864, medical exam and proof your marriage is real.Marriage Green Card Interview: What to Bring (Full List)The full list of what couples bring to a marriage green card interview: 128 documents, from IDs and civil records to joint bank, lease, insurance and Costco cards.How to Organize I-130 Photo EvidenceA simple way to organize your marriage photos for Form I-130: pick good photos, put them in date order and add a short caption to each one.How Many Photos for a Marriage Green Card?USCIS sets no number. How to choose photos that show your life together over time, caption them and put them in one PDF.