Confirm financial support of an immigrant: Affidavit of Support
What we’ll cover
What is an Affidavit of Support?
An Affidavit of Support is a legal document that you can use to confirm financial support of an immigrant. Affidavits of Support are typically used for an individual who wishes to travel abroad for a visit or to study. For example, if you've decided to back someone who is immigrating to the United States, that's how you can make it official.
When you sign an Affidavit of Support, you're swearing under oath that you'll help the newcomer financially. This can include anything from giving them a place to stay to providing an allowance. This document is often used when family members are immigrating to the US, but it doesn't have to be just family. As long as you're helping out an immigrant, you can qualify to formally declare your support.
Making your own Affidavit of Support with Rocket Lawyer is as easy as answering a few simple questions – we will build the document for you! Get started now.
When to use an Affidavit of Support:
- You're planning to financially support an immigrant.
- You're immigrating to the US and know a citizen who will help support you.
How do I get my Affidavit of Support reviewed?
If you already have an Affidavit of Support and want to have it reviewed, or if you have questions about creating or using one, there are a few ways to get help.
Use Rocket Copilot to ask questions or review your document; this helps you better understand what it says and identify anything that may need a closer look.
If you are looking for help from a Legal Pro, you can also ask a question and receive a response within one business day, or request a more in-depth document review.
Sample Affidavit of Support
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Affidavit of Support
I , residing at , , , certify under penalty of perjury that I was born on at and as follows:
This affidavit is executed on behalf of the following person:
| Name: | Marital Status: |
Citizen of:
Relationship to Sponsor:
Current Address:
| City: | State: |
Country:
Name of spouse and children accompanying or following to join person:
I am willing and able to provide financial support for the person on whose behalf this affidavit is executed. This affidavit is made by me for the purpose of assuring the Government that the person(s) named above will not become a public charge in .
Oath or Affirmation of Sponsor:
I certify under penalty of perjury under law that I know the contents of this affidavit signed by me and that the statements are true and correct.
| ___________________________________ | _____________________________ |
| Date |
About Affidavits of Support
Learn about how to confirm financial support of an immigrant
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Common terms in an Affidavit of Support
An Affidavit of Support is a legal document wherein an individual agrees to financially support an immigrant who is seeking a visa or green card to live in the United States. When looking to make one, you may stumble across some terms you’re not familiar with – here are some of them and what they mean:
Form I-864
This is another name for the Affidavit of Support.
Petitioner or sponsor
The person who promises support for someone who is applying for a green card or visa. They must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident who lives, or is domiciled, in the U.S..
Domicile
The place where a sponsor has their main residence with the intention to maintain it for the foreseeable future. To qualify as a financial sponsor, one must be domiciled in the United States or any territory or possession of the United States.
Poverty Guidelines
Petitioners must meet a certain income requirement in order to financially support a visa applicant – these requirements are known as the Federal Poverty Guidelines. If they don’t have enough income, the applicant has a couple of other options, such as finding a joint sponsor to also support them.
Household size
The document may ask for the financial sponsor’s household size. According to the US Department of State, when calculating their household size, sponsors must include:
- Their spouse.
- Any children by birth, marriage, or adoption living in the sponsor's residence.
- Anyone else claimed as a dependent on the sponsor's tax return for the most recent year, regardless of whether they are related to the sponsor or have the same principal address as the sponsor.
- The principal visa applicant.
- Any derivative applicants who plan to immigrate within six months.
- Any other people in the United States whom the sponsor is supporting on a different Form I-864, if the obligation has not terminated.
- Any nondependent siblings, parents, or adult children who reside in the sponsor's household who are not dependents, if they complete a Form I-864A.
NVC
NVC stands for the National Visa Center and it reviews the submitted Affidavits of Support for completeness.
If you have any more questions regarding Affidavits of Support and the terms related to it, don’t hesitate to ask a lawyer.
Affidavit of Support FAQs
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How can I make an Affidavit of Support Form online for free?
It is very simple to get what you need using a free Affidavit of Support template from Rocket Lawyer:
- Make the document - Answer a few basic questions and we’ll do the rest.
- Send and share it - Discuss it with an attorney.
- Sign it - Sign your Affidavit and make it legal.
Any Affidavit of Support Form from Rocket Lawyer can be modified for your unique scenario. To begin, tap or click on "Make document." Your Affidavit will be built piece by piece as you enter the details.
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Do I need to hire a lawyer to review my Affidavit of Support?
It’s a good idea to have important documents like your Affidavit of Support reviewed before signing, so you fully understand your choices and help avoid unintended outcomes. The problem is that some attorneys may not review documents they didn’t prepare, while others may require a retainer or high hourly fees. This can make getting a legal review of your Affidavit of Supportdifficult and time-consuming.
Rocket Lawyer makes the process easier. With Rocket Lawyer, you can request a review from a Legal Pro or ask questions about your document. You can also use Rocket Copilot to review your document, identify potential issues, and check that everything is complete before signing.
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How much would I usually pay for a lawyer to help me make an Affidavit of Support?
Attorney fees for drafting or reviewing an Affidavit of Support can vary widely. Many lawyers charge hourly rates that may range from around $100 for less experienced attorneys to $350 or more per hour for highly experienced attorneys in major metropolitan areas. For more routine documents, some attorneys may offer flat-fee pricing.
The total cost will depend on several factors, including your location, the attorney’s experience, and the complexity of your agreement. More documents or situations involving negotiation will typically require more time and increase the overall cost.
With Rocket Lawyer, you can create a personalized Affidavit of Support tailored to your specific needs—without the high cost typically associated with hiring a lawyer. If you have questions or want additional peace of mind, you can also get your document reviewed or ask a Legal Pro for guidance.
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Would I have to take additional actions after drafting an Affidavit of Support?
Once you've made this Affidavit using Rocket Lawyer, you can open it anytime and anywhere. As a Rocket Lawyer member, you may make edits, download it in PDF format or as a Word document, and sign it. Attached to each Affidavit of Support Form, there also will be a set of proposed steps you should take once your document is finished.
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Does an Affidavit of Support Form need to be notarized or witnessed?
Yes, an Affidavit of Support Form needs the signature of a notary. Witnesses are not legally required.
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