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U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Edition 08/24/26 (OMB 1615-0075, expires 10/31/2027) 12 pages

Form I-864 — Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the INA

The sponsor's binding promise to support a family-based (or certain employment-based) immigrant, showing that the household income or assets meet the Federal Poverty Guidelines.

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Form I-864 · Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the INA
The official U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) form, edition 08/24/26 (OMB 1615-0075, expires 10/31/2027) — blank
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What is Form I-864?

Form I-864, Affidavit of Support, is the financial part of most family-based green-card cases and some employment-based ones. The sponsor, usually the U.S. citizen or permanent resident who filed the Form I-130 petition, shows their household size, income and, if needed, assets, and promises to support the immigrant. USCIS or the Department of State compares the household income with the Federal Poverty Guidelines for that household size (published as Form I-864P). If the petitioner's income isn't enough, a joint sponsor can file another I-864, and household members can add their income with Form I-864A.

Signing it is a contract with the U.S. Government. Until it ends (for example when the immigrant becomes a U.S. citizen or has 40 quarters of work credit), the sponsor must keep the immigrant at 125 percent of the poverty guidelines (100 percent for an active-duty service member sponsoring a spouse or child) and report address changes on Form I-865. Divorce does not end it.

USCIS published the 08/24/26 edition on Aug. 31, 2026. It adds an authorization for USCIS and the State Department to get the sponsor's credit reports. From Oct. 1, 2026, USCIS accepts only this edition. VergeHR guides you through it in plain English, adds up Parts 5, 6 and 7 for you, and prints your answers into the official USCIS PDF. You give the signed form to the immigrant to file with Form I-485 or the immigrant visa application; VergeHR never files anything.

Who fills it
The sponsor: the petitioner, a joint sponsor, a substitute sponsor, or a 5 percent owner of a petitioning business.
Given to
The immigrant, who files it with Form I-485 (green card in the U.S.) or the immigrant visa application (Form OF-230). If the National Visa Center sent it to you, follow their instructions.
When
When the immigrant applies for the green card or immigrant visa.
Signatures
The sponsor signs Part 8 by hand. An interpreter (Part 9) and a preparer (Part 10) sign too if they helped.
Edition
08/24/26 (OMB No. 1615-0075, expires 10/31/2027). The only edition USCIS accepts from Oct. 1, 2026.
Agency
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Department of Homeland Security

Who needs to fill out Form I-864?

  • The U.S. citizen or permanent resident who filed Form I-130 for a relative who is applying for a green card or immigrant visa.
  • A joint sponsor, when the petitioner's income and assets aren't enough (up to two joint sponsors).
  • A substitute sponsor, when the original petitioner has died.
  • A relative who filed, or owns at least 5 percent of a business that filed, an employment-based petition for the immigrant.
  • Household members who combine their income with the sponsor's don't file Form I-864; they file Form I-864A.

When to Use Form I-864

  • When the immigrant files Form I-485 to adjust status in the United States: the I-864 goes with it.
  • During immigrant visa processing abroad, when the National Visa Center asks for it.
  • Use the 08/24/26 edition: USCIS won't process a 10/17/24 edition postmarked or submitted on or after Oct. 1, 2026.

What You Need Before You Start

  • Proof of your U.S. citizenship, U.S. national status or permanent residence.
  • Your Social Security number (required) and your addresses.
  • The principal immigrant's details, and those of family members immigrating with them.
  • A count of your household: yourself, spouse, dependent children, other dependents, people you sponsored before and still support, and relatives who combine income on Form I-864A.
  • Your current annual income and employer details, and the income of any household members you count.
  • A copy or IRS transcript of your federal tax return for the most recent year (you may add the two earlier years).
  • If your income is not enough: the value of your cash, real estate (net of mortgage), stocks, bonds and other assets.
  • The current Form I-864P poverty guidelines, to check your figures before you sign.

What’s On Form I-864

The 2026 edition has 12 pages. VergeHR asks for it in 12 parts:

  1. Attorney or accredited representative (top of page 1)Preparer
  2. Part 1. Basis for filing the affidavit of supportSponsor
  3. Part 2. Information about you (the sponsor)Sponsor
  4. Part 3. Information about the principal immigrantSponsor
  5. Part 4. Information about the immigrants you are sponsoringSponsor
  6. Part 5. Sponsor's household sizeSponsor
  7. Part 6. Sponsor's employment and incomeSponsor
  8. Part 7. Use of assets to supplement incomeSponsor
  9. Part 8. Sponsor's contract, contact information, certification and signatureSponsor
  10. Part 9. Interpreter's contact information, certification and signatureInterpreter
  11. Part 10. Person preparing this affidavit, if other than the sponsorPreparer
  12. Part 11. Additional informationSponsor

How to fill out Form I-864, step by step

1 Part 1. Basis for filing

Say why you are the sponsor: the petitioner, an alien-worker petitioner or 5 percent owner who is related to the immigrant, the only joint sponsor, the first or second of two joint sponsors, or a substitute sponsor after the petitioner's death.

2 Part 2. Information about you

Your name, mailing and physical address, country of domicile, date and country of birth, Social Security number and status (U.S. citizen, U.S. national or permanent resident). Petitioners also say whether they are on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces or Coast Guard.

3 Parts 3 and 4. The immigrants you sponsor

The principal immigrant's details, then whether you sponsor them and which family members immigrate with them (or more than six months later). Four family members fit on the form; list more in Part 11.

4 Part 5. Household size

Count each person once: the immigrants on this affidavit, yourself, your spouse, dependent children, other dependents, people you sponsored before and still support, and relatives combining income on Form I-864A. VergeHR enters 1 for yourself and adds up item 8.

5 Part 6. Employment and income

Tick whether you are employed, self-employed, retired or unemployed, give your current annual income, and add the income of household members you are using. VergeHR totals item 12. Then give your most recent tax year and total income from your federal return (the two earlier years are optional).

6 Part 7. Assets (only if needed)

If your household income is below the poverty guideline for your household size, you can add assets: your own, your household members' (from Form I-864A) and the principal immigrant's. VergeHR adds up items 4, 9 and 10.

7 Parts 8 to 11. Contract, signatures and extra space

Read the sponsor's contract carefully, then give your contact details and sign by hand. An interpreter and a preparer complete their parts if used. Part 11 is extra space for anything that didn't fit.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Using the old 10/17/24 edition after Oct. 1, 2026.
  • Counting someone twice in Part 5, or leaving out people you sponsored before and still support.
  • Forgetting the tax return copy or transcript for the most recent year.
  • Using a household member's income without their signed Form I-864A.
  • Leaving Part 7 blank when income is below the guideline and assets are needed.
  • Typing a name instead of signing by hand.

After You Fill It Out

Print the PDF, check every page, sign Part 8 by hand, and give it with the supporting documents to the immigrant, who files it with Form I-485 or the immigrant visa application. If the National Visa Center sent you the form, follow their instructions. VergeHR does not submit it.

USCIS or the State Department may check your credit reports under the new authorization. If you have a credit freeze, respond quickly to any request to lift it so the case isn't delayed.

Keep the signed affidavit in VergeHR Files. While the obligation lasts, report every change of address to USCIS on Form I-865 within 30 days.

Fill Out Form I-864 Online with VergeHR

  1. Pick the employee. Choose an employee and VergeHR fills in their name, date of birth, email and other details it already knows.
  2. Answer plain-language questions. One part of the form at a time, with the official help text beside each question — 180 fields in all. Your answers save as you go.
  3. Check the live preview. Watch your answers land on the real U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) form, and let VergeHR do any worksheet arithmetic.
  4. Generate the official PDF. VergeHR prints your answers into the agency’s own PDF and files it in that person’s folder in your vault.

VergeHR fills the form — it never files or submits anything for you. Deliver the finished form to whoever asked for it, the way the form’s instructions say.

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Form I-864: frequently asked questions

Can I fill out Form I-864 online with VergeHR?

Yes. VergeHR guides you through the 08/24/26 edition of the paper form, adds up the household size, income and asset totals, and prints everything into the official USCIS PDF. You print and sign it by hand.

Which edition of Form I-864 do I need?

The 08/24/26 edition. USCIS published it on Aug. 31, 2026, gave a 30-day grace period for the 10/17/24 edition, and from Oct. 1, 2026 accepts only the new edition.

How much income do I need?

In general, household income of at least 125 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for your household size (100 percent for an active-duty service member sponsoring a spouse or child). The figures are on Form I-864P, which USCIS updates; check the current version before you sign.

What if my income is too low?

You can add household members' income with Form I-864A, use assets in Part 7, or find a joint sponsor who files their own Form I-864.

Does divorce end my obligation?

No. The form says divorce does not terminate the obligations. They end when the immigrant becomes a U.S. citizen, has worked (or can be credited with) 40 quarters, loses permanent residence and leaves the U.S., gets a new adjustment based on a new affidavit in removal proceedings, or dies, or when you die.

Is there a fee for Form I-864?

It depends on where it is filed. USCIS points to its Fee Schedule and to the State Department's visa fees page. Check both before you file.

Can I e-sign Form I-864?

VergeHR prepares it for a handwritten signature; the form's authorization refers to photocopies bearing your handwritten signature. If the National Visa Center gives you other instructions, follow theirs.

Official Sources

VergeHR is not affiliated with or endorsed by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or any government. This page explains the form in general terms and is not legal, tax or immigration advice. Always read the official instructions, and check that you are using the edition the recipient accepts. Page last reviewed 2026-09-28.

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