Form I-864 (Affidavit of Support): Income Rules, Joint Sponsor, and Checklist
Form I-864 is the “financial sponsorship” form used in many family green card cases. In most
marriage green card filings, the Affidavit of Support is a required part of the case.
It’s used to show the U.S. sponsor has enough income (or assets) so the immigrant is not expected to rely on certain public benefits.
In most cases, the petitioner must file an I-864. If the sponsor’s income is not high enough,
a joint sponsor may file a separate I-864.
USCIS Form I-864 •
USCIS I-864P Poverty Guidelines •
USCIS Affidavit of Support overview
What is Form I-864?
The I-864 is the Affidavit of Support. The person who signs it is the sponsor.
In a marriage-based green card case, the U.S. citizen or green card holder spouse (the “petitioner”) is usually also the financial sponsor.
In most family cases, the sponsor is the petitioner (the person who filed the I-130).
- Shows financial ability using income and sometimes assets.
- Creates a support obligation that can last for years.
- Helps NVC/consulates or USCIS decide whether the financial sponsorship requirement is met.
USCIS Form I-864
Is the I-864 a legal contract?
Yes. The Affidavit of Support is legally enforceable. The sponsor’s responsibility usually lasts until the immigrant becomes a U.S. citizen or earns 40 qualifying quarters of work credit.
This matters in marriage-based cases: even if the relationship changes later, the I-864 obligation generally does not disappear automatically.
Who needs an I-864?
Most family-based immigrants need an Affidavit of Support. Some employment-based immigrants may also need it in limited situations.
The details depend on the category and whether the case is processed through consular processing or adjustment of status.
In most cases, the petitioner must complete Form I-864. If the petitioner does not meet the income requirement, a joint sponsor may also complete a separate I-864.
Official guidance:
USCIS overview •
State Dept overview
How much income is required (the 125% rule)
Most sponsors must show income of at least 125% of the HHS Poverty Guidelines for their household size.
Some active-duty U.S. armed forces sponsors petitioning for a spouse or child may use 100%.
Use the most current official poverty guideline reference right before you submit — especially in a
marriage green card filing where financial evidence is often reviewed closely.
Official poverty guideline reference:
USCIS: Form I-864P
(used to complete I-864)
State Dept tables + calculator:
Affidavit of Support tables/calculator
See the 2025 chart below for a fast reference.
2025 income chart (100% vs 125%)
These are the 2025 minimum income amounts shown on the State Department’s Affidavit of Support page.
(Most sponsors use 125%. The 100% column is for certain active-duty sponsors petitioning for a spouse or child.)
For a household of 2 in the 48 states + D.C., the 2025 minimum is
$26,437 at 125% (and $21,150 at 100%).
Source table + calculator:
State Dept: 2025 Poverty Guidelines (AOS support)
| Household size | 48 states + D.C. (100%) | 48 states + D.C. (125%) | Alaska (100%) | Alaska (125%) | Hawaii (100%) | Hawaii (125%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | $21,150 | $26,437 | $26,430 | $33,037 | $24,320 | $30,400 |
| 3 | $26,650 | $33,312 | $33,310 | $41,637 | $30,650 | $38,312 |
| 4 | $32,150 | $40,187 | $40,190 | $50,237 | $36,980 | $46,225 |
| 5 | $37,650 | $47,062 | $47,070 | $58,837 | $43,310 | $54,137 |
| 6 | $43,150 | $53,937 | $53,950 | $67,437 | $49,640 | $62,050 |
| 7 | $48,650 | $60,812 | $60,830 | $76,037 | $55,970 | $69,962 |
| 8 | $54,150 | $67,687 | $67,710 | $84,637 | $62,300 | $77,875 |
Larger household? Confirm using the official tables:
USCIS I-864P •
State Dept calculator
Household size (why it matters)
Household size is used to find the correct income threshold. If you use the wrong household size, your case can be delayed.
This is especially common in marriage-based cases when a sponsor has prior dependents or prior sponsored immigrants.
- Count the sponsor.
- Count the immigrant(s) being sponsored.
- Count dependents claimed on taxes (and others the form requires you to include).
- Count any prior immigrants you sponsored if the support obligation is still active.
Always confirm with the official instructions if you’re close:
USCIS I-864 (instructions)
Joint sponsor vs household member (I-864A)
If the petitioner’s income is not enough, you may have options. The best option depends on who is helping and where they live.
In many marriage cases, building a clean joint sponsor plan can prevent delays and RFEs.
If income is short: using assets (the multiplier rule)
If income is below the required amount, assets may be used to cover the gap in some cases. The government looks at net value
(value minus loans/liens) and whether the asset can be converted to cash.
- Usually: assets = 5× the difference between income and the required amount.
- U.S. citizen sponsoring spouse/child: assets may be 3× the difference.
- Certain orphan cases: assets may be 1× the difference.
Official explanation:
State Dept: I-864 FAQs (assets rule)
Tip: If you’re close to the line, a joint sponsor plan is often the cleanest way to avoid delays in a
marriage green card filing.
Documents checklist (plain and practical)
The government wants proof of who the sponsor is and proof of the sponsor’s financial picture. Requirements vary by case and process,
but this is a practical baseline checklist.
- Proof the sponsor is a U.S. citizen or green card holder.
- Proof the sponsor is living in the U.S. (domicile evidence may matter).
- Most recent federal tax return or IRS transcript.
- W-2s and/or 1099s (as applicable).
- Pay stubs and/or an employment letter (to show current income).
- If using assets: proof of ownership, value, and any loans/liens.
Official references:
USCIS I-864 •
USCIS I-864P
Tip: Keep names, addresses, and dates consistent across the I-130, the I-864, and supporting documents — especially in
marriage green card filings submitted as a single package.
Common mistakes that delay cases
- Petitioner did not file I-864 (even when using a joint sponsor).
- Wrong household size (which changes the income threshold).
- Using old poverty guideline numbers instead of the current year reference.
- Not proving current income (tax returns alone may not reflect current income).
- Missing signatures or missing pages.
- Unclear joint sponsor plan (who is sponsoring which immigrant).
Confirm (1) the right form (I-864 vs I-864EZ vs I-864A), (2) correct household size, and (3) the current poverty guideline year
before you submit.
Use:
USCIS I-864P •
USCIS I-864
Step-by-step plan (fast but safe)
- Pick the process: consular processing or adjustment of status.
See the comparison. - Confirm the right form type: I-864, I-864EZ, and/or I-864A.
- Calculate household size and the income threshold.
- Verify the current guideline year using
USCIS I-864P. - Build the financial evidence set (tax transcript/return, proof of current income, assets if needed).
- If needed, finalize the joint sponsor plan (separate I-864 + documents).
- Final review: signatures, dates, household size, and current-year guideline reference.
We can confirm household size, the correct poverty guideline threshold, and the cleanest joint sponsor/household-member strategy to help avoid avoidable delays.