An Affidavit of Support, also called the Form I-864, is a document an individual signs to accept financial responsibility for the applicant who is coming to live in the United States. The person who signs the Affidavit of Support is also called the “sponsor.”

Most family-based immigrants and some employment-based immigrants use this form to show they have adequate means of financial support and are not likely to rely on the U.S. government for financial support.

That's no surprise, since the form is filed by the sponsor – so there's no reason you would have a copy on file. Fortunately, it's easy and free to request a copy of your signed I-864 from the government. To do this, you file a Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”) request.

This affidavit is a contract between a sponsor and the U.S. Government. Completing and signing Form I-864 makes you the sponsor. You must show on this affidavit that you have enough income and/or assets to maintain the intending immigrants and the rest of your household at 125 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.

Each individual applicant must present an I-864 Affidavit of Support with original signatures. If family members have separate visa petitions, each family member must submit a signed I-864 from the petitioner/sponsor, the joint sponsor (if required) and I-864A as required.

This affidavit is required for most family-based immigrants and some employment-based intending immigrants to show that they have adequate means of financial support and are not likely to become a public charge. How is Form I-864 Used? This affidavit is a contract between a sponsor and the U.S. Government.

An Affidavit of Support is legally enforceable. The sponsor's financial responsibility usually lasts until the applicant either becomes a U.S. citizen, or can be credited with 40 qualifying quarters of work (usually 10 years) under the Social Security Act.