Fill Out Form I-864 Online in 2026

Form I-864, Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the INA, is a contract used in the immigration process. A sponsor signs it and agrees to use their financial resources to support the intending immigrant named on the form. Most family-based immigrants need it. Some employment-based immigrants also need it when a relative has a qualifying ownership interest in the employer.

The form helps show that the immigrant has adequate financial support and is not likely to depend on the U.S. government for support. The sponsor must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or lawful permanent resident who meets the applicable rules. The contract is legally enforceable. The duty usually continues until the immigrant becomes a U.S. citizen, dies, or receives credit for 40 qualifying work quarters. Divorce does not end the sponsor’s duty.

You use Form I-864 when you agree to provide financial support for an intending immigrant. Most family-based immigrants need a sponsor to complete it. Some employment-based immigrants may also need it. The form helps show that the immigrant has enough financial support and is unlikely to depend on the U.S. government or become a public charge.

By signing, the sponsor accepts a legal duty to use their financial resources to support the named immigrant. If the immigrant receives certain means-tested public benefits, the agency that provided them may ask the sponsor to repay the cost.

You can get a blank Form I-864 from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the agency that issues the form and handles immigration petitions and applications. USCIS provides the current official edition on its website.

PDFLeader also has a blank Form I-864 preloaded in our browser-based editor, so you do not need to download a template elsewhere. PDFLeader helps you fill out and download the completed form for future use, but it does not file or submit the form to USCIS.

For consular processing, submit Form I-864 online to the National Visa Center, part of the Department of State, through the CEAC portal. Do not also mail it to USCIS for the same case.

For an adjustment of status case inside the United States, include Form I-864 with Form I-485 and mail the package to the USCIS lockbox listed in the current Form I-485 filing instructions. If you file Form I-864 directly with a family-based petition, send it to USCIS using the address and method listed for that petition.

The petitioner who sponsored the intending immigrant must complete Form I-864, even if the petitioner has no income or does not meet the income requirement. This petitioner is usually a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident who filed Form I-130. A joint sponsor must complete a separate Form I-864 if one is needed. Any household member whose income will count must complete Form I-864A instead.

The sponsor gives the signed form and supporting records to the intending immigrant. The immigrant then submits them through the required green card process, often with Form DS-260 through the National Visa Center or with Form I-485 to USCIS. The Department of State or USCIS reviews the documents to decide if the financial sponsorship rules are met.

After you fill out Form I-864 in PDFLeader, download the completed form, print it, and sign it by hand with wet ink. Do not use a typed name, stamp, electronic signature, digital signature, stylus, or Apple Pencil. You can scan or photocopy the hand-signed form if you need a copy for submission. PDFLeader does not submit the form. Check the latest USCIS instructions and updates before you sign and submit it.

Have the sponsor’s filing basis and full name ready, followed by the principal immigrant’s biographical and mailing information. Gather each sponsored family member’s name and A-Number, if applicable. You will also need the sponsor’s U.S. mailing address, optional In Care of Name, number of dependents, spouse details, and other household members to calculate Sponsor’s Household Size.

For Sponsor’s Employment and Income, have current job and annual household income records. Include the required federal tax return or IRS tax transcript and related income evidence. Any household member whose income is counted must complete Form I-864A, Contract Between Sponsor and Household Member. If income is below the required level, gather account balances and real estate net cash values for Part 7. The sponsor must sign and date Form I-864 in black ink with an original signature. An interpreter or preparer must provide their contact details and signatures when applicable.

Form I-864 has no separate, fixed deadline. Its timing depends on when the intending immigrant files the related green card or immigrant visa application.

For an immigrant applying from within the United States, submit Form I-864 with Form I-485. For consular processing, submit it with DS-260 as part of the immigrant visa application. File Form I-864 at the same time as the underlying application, not before or after it, generally.

Form I-864 is not required when the immigrant has 40 qualifying quarters of Social Security coverage. It is also not required when a VAWA self-petitioner or widow or widower has an approved Form I-360 and applies for lawful permanent residence.

Certain employment-based applicants do not need Form I-864 with Form I-485 if the petition does not involve a qualifying relative or an entity in which that relative has the required ownership interest. In these exemption cases, submit Form I-864W instead.