Instructions For Form I-864 - Affidavit Of Support Under Section 213a Of The Ina (Page 2 of 16) in pdf

Are There Exceptions to Who Needs to Submit Form I-864?

The following types of intending immigrants do not need to file Form I-864:

1. Any intending immigrant who has earned or can receive credit for 40 qualifying quarters (credits) of work in the

United States. In addition to their own work, intending immigrants may be able to secure credit for work performed

by a spouse during marriage and by their parents while the immigrants were under 18 years of age. The Social

Security Administration (SSA) can provide information on how to count quarters of work earned or credited and how

to provide evidence of such. See the SSA Web site at

for more information;

2. Any intending immigrant who will, upon admission, acquire U.S. citizenship under section 320 of the Immigration

and Nationality Act (INA), as amended by the Child Citizenship Act of 2000 (CCA);

3. Self-petitioning widows or widowers who have an approved Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or

Special Immigrant; and

4. Self-petitioning battered spouses and children who have an approved Form I-360.

NOTE: If you qualify for one of the exemptions listed above, submit Form I-864W, Intending Immigrant’s Affidavit of

Support Exemption, instead of Form I-864.

General Instructions

If you are completing this affidavit on a computer, USCIS will capture the data you enter using 2D barcode technology.

This capture will ensure that the data you provide is accurately entered into USCIS systems. As you complete each data

field, the 2D barcode line at the bottom of each page will shift as data is captured. Upon receipt of your affidavit, USCIS

will use decoding equipment to extract the data from the affidavit. Please do not damage the 2D barcode (for example,

puncture, staple, spill on, write on) as this could affect the ability of USCIS to timely process your affidavit.

USCIS provides forms free of charge through the USCIS Web site. In order to view, print, or fill out our forms, you

should use the latest version of Adobe Reader, which you can download for free at If you

do not have Internet access, you may call the USCIS National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283 and ask that

we mail a form to you. For TTY (deaf or hard of hearing) call: 1-800-767-1833.

Signature. Each affidavit must be properly signed and filed. For all signatures on this affidavit, USCIS will not accept a

stamped or typewritten name in place of a signature. If you are under 14 years of age, your parent or legal guardian may

sign the affidavit on your behalf. A legal guardian may also sign for a mentally incompetent person.

If you are under guardianship, your legal guardian may print your name and sign Form I-864 for you. “Legal guardian”

includes any person who is appointed and authorized by law to protect your estate as a result of your incapacity. The

legal guardian must present proof of the appointment as legal guardian of your estate and a copy of an order from the

appointing court or agency specifically permitting the guardian to make your income and assets available for the support

of the sponsored immigrant.

Filing Fee. There is no filing fee to file Form I-864 with USCIS. For information on processing fees when filing with the

Department of State, see

Evidence. At the time of filing, you must submit all evidence and supporting documentation listed in the Specific

Instructions and Specific Requirements sections of these Instructions.

Copies. You may submit legible photocopies of documents requested, unless the Instructions specifically state that you

must submit an original document. USCIS may request an original document at the time of filing or at any time during

processing of an application, petition, or request. If you submit original documents when not required, the documents

may remain a part of the record, and USCIS will not automatically return them to you.

Form I-864 Instructions 07/02/15 N

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Instructions For Form I-864 - Affidavit Of Support Under Section 213a Of The Ina Page 2