Form I-864A, Contract Between Sponsor and Household Member

What is I-864A?

Who needs to file I-864A?

When to file I-864A

Documents you need

• IRS tax transcript or a photocopy of your federal individual income tax return for the most recent tax year; it need not be certified by the IRS unless a government official asks.
• Every Form W-2 and Form 1099 that relates to the return, only if you submit a photocopy of the return rather than an IRS transcript (include them with a transcript only if you filed jointly with your spouse).
• Every Form 1040 schedule you filed, such as Schedule C, D, E or F, if you checked self-employed in Part 3.
• Optional: transcripts or photocopies of your returns for the second and third most recent tax years, if they help show your ability to maintain sufficient income.
• A typed or printed explanation if you were not required to file a federal return because your income was too low; if exempt for another reason, add evidence of the exemption and how you qualified.
• Any late federal return you were required to file but did not, with an IRS transcript or copy of it.
• Proof that your income will continue from a lawful source after immigration, if you select Part 2, Item 1 or Item 2.
• Proof that you have the same principal residence as the sponsor, if you select Part 2, Item 2, or Item 3 with a relative other than a spouse; for relatives also proof of the relationship.
• For assets listed in Part 4: a description, proof of ownership and the basis for the net cash value claimed; for a home, ownership documents, a recent appraisal by a licensed appraiser and evidence of every loan or lien on it.
• A full English translation of any foreign-language document, with the translator's signed certification of completeness, accuracy and competence, printed name and contact information.
• Form G-28 or G-28I, if an attorney or accredited representative represents you (check the box at the top of page 1).
• Proof of guardianship appointment and a court or agency order permitting the guardian to make your income and assets available, if a legal guardian signs for you.

How to fill out I-864A

1. 1

   Confirm who completes each part

   The household member completes Parts 1 to 4 and Part 6; the sponsor completes Part 5. Use black ink or type, and write "N/A" where a question does not apply.

2. 2

   Enter your name and addresses

   In Part 1, Item 1, give your full name. Items 2 and 3 ask for the mailing address and whether it is also your physical address; if you answer No, give the physical address in Item 4.

3. 3

   Add personal identifiers

   Enter your date of birth as mm/dd/yyyy (Item 5), country of birth (Item 6), U.S. Social Security Number if any (Item 7), A-Number or "N/A" (Item 8) and USCIS Online Account Number if you have one (Item 9).

4. 4

   Select your relationship to the sponsor

   In Part 2, choose Item 1 (intending immigrant and sponsor's spouse), Item 2 (intending immigrant and household member) or Item 3 (not the intending immigrant), then check the relationship box. "Other Dependent" requires being listed on the sponsor's most recent federal return.

5. 5

   Report employment and income

   In Part 3, select every box that applies in Items 1 to 6, giving employer names, retirement or unemployment dates as asked. In Item 7 enter your current individual annual earned or retirement income.

6. 6

   Complete the tax information

   In Part 4, Item 1, check Yes if you filed a federal return for each of the three most recent tax years. In Item 2 enter the total income for the most recent year, and for the second and third if you rely on them; enter "zero" or "N/A" if none.

7. 7

   List assets only if needed

   Items 3 to 5 cover cash and accounts, net real-estate value and other assets; Item 6 is their total. Complete them only if the sponsor is using your assets.

8. 8

   Have the sponsor complete Part 5

   The sponsor lists each intending immigrant (up to four) with date of birth and A-Number, selects Item 5.a or 5.b (and 6 if a preparer helped), adds contact details in Items 7 to 9 and signs and dates in Item 10.

9. 9

   Complete your promise in Part 6

   Print the number of intending immigrants, select Item 1.a or 1.b (and Item 2 if a preparer helped), and give your phone numbers and email in Items 3 to 5. Print your name in Item 6, then sign and date in Item 7.

10. 10

    Add interpreter and preparer details

    If an interpreter read the form to you, the interpreter completes and signs Part 7. If someone other than the sponsor or you prepared it, that person completes and signs Part 8; one person acting as both completes both parts.

11. 11

    Use Part 9 for extra space

    Put additional answers in Part 9, repeating your name and A-Number and giving the page, part and item number each answer refers to. Sign and date any extra sheet.

12. 12

    Review, sign and download the PDF

    Check that every part is complete, both signatures are in place and the evidence is ready. Download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and file it with Form I-864 as described under How to submit.

How to submit I-864A

Common mistakes to avoid

• Submitting Form I-864A without Form I-864; the instructions say the contract must be filed with Form I-864.
• Leaving the contract unsigned, or typing or stamping a name instead of signing; USCIS rejects it when the signature is missing or invalid.
• Using one Form I-864A for several household members; a separate form is needed for each person whose income and/or assets are used.
• Listing assets when only your income is being used, or listing assets as an intending immigrant with no accompanying dependents; those go on Form I-864, Part 7.
• Including income from illegal activities or means-tested public benefits in your annual income; neither may be relied on.
• Sending state income tax returns, or foreign tax returns when a federal return was required.
• Photocopying a return without every Form W-2 and Form 1099 that relates to it, or omitting the schedules filed as a self-employed person.
• Mailing printed pages that are missing, or that come from a different form edition than the others; USCIS may reject the form.
• Submitting foreign-language documents without a full English translation and the translator's certification.
• Leaving a question blank instead of writing "N/A" or "None", or using extra space without noting the page, part and item number.