How to Write an Affidavit of Support (With Samples)

To remove conditions from your permanent residency, ensure your marriage appears legitimate. Submit an Affidavit of Support with your Form I-751; the more you provide, the better. Ensure they meet the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) standards. See our sample Affidavits of Support below for guidance.

What is an Affidavit of Support?

An Affidavit of Support is a legally binding document that a U.S. citizen or permanent resident (the sponsor) signs to accept financial responsibility for a foreign national who is coming to the U.S. This document is primarily used by the U.S. government to show that the immigrant won’t become a “public charge” or burden on the state for financial support.

Let’s take a look in more detail.

Affidavit of Support Format

An Affidavit of Support should include:

• The affiant’s full name, address, birthdate, and place.
• Their relationship to you and your spouse.
• How they met you.
• Duration and frequency of their interactions with you.
• Date and signature.

While notarization isn’t mandatory, adding a statement affirming the document’s truthfulness, like “I swear under penalty of perjury that this information is accurate to my knowledge,” can add credibility.

Affidavit of Support Sample Template

To write an Affidavit of support based on the format above, you can use the following sample template as a guide:

[Sponsor Name & Address]John/Jane Doe123 Placeholder St, Anytown, ST 12345

[Date]

[USCIS Address]USCISP.O. BOX 12345, Somewhere, ST 67890

Subject: Support Letter for Peter & Mary Smith

Dear USCIS Officer,

I’ve known Mary Smith since March 2009 from college. Peter and Mary, married in 2018, have been inseparable since meeting in 2015. Our families maintain a close bond, spending weekends and holidays together. They recently announced they’re expecting a child due in October. I am confident in the genuineness of their relationship.

For further queries, reach me at (123) 456-7890.

I attest, under penalty of perjury, that this information is accurate to my best knowledge.

Warm regards,

John/Jane Doe(DOB: MM/DD/YYYY) (Birthplace: City, ST, Country)

Who Needs an Affidavit of Support?

To remove conditions from your permanent residency, submit an Affidavit of Support with Form I-751. Preferably, family members who can vouch for your marriage’s legitimacy should provide this. However, friends or religious leaders familiar with your marital life can also attest. Ensure they have first-hand knowledge of your relationship.

How to Remove Conditions from Your Green Card

To remove conditions from your conditional green card, file Form I-751. Prove your marriage’s legitimacy by providing an Affidavit of Support from close friends or family.

Read More

• How Do I Speak to a Live Person at USCIS?
• How Many Citizenships Can You Have?
• How Do I Know Which USCIS Service Center?
• How Do I Know If USCIS Received My Application?
• What “Country of Residence” and How to Know Yours When on a Visa
• How to Check Dropbox Eligibility with the App

Final Thoughts

With the help of this Affidavit of Support sample, getting the required information in your Affidavit of Support should be easy. If you get your Affidavit of Support right, you’re on the fast track to having your conditions of permanent residency removed. Don’t let such a small step keep you back or make you feel uncertain. Get those Affidavits of Support ticked off your list and be one step closer to your permanent green card. 

Writing an Affidavit of Support for Immigration FAQ

When it comes to writing an Affidavit of Support for immigration, users often have several questions. Here are the top five:

What is an Affidavit of Support?

An Affidavit of Support is a document an individual signs to accept financial responsibility for another person, usually a relative, who is coming to the United States to live permanently.

Who needs to provide an Affidavit of Support?

Usually, U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are sponsoring a foreign family member for a green card must provide an Affidavit of Support. The sponsor must meet certain income requirements to be able to provide support.

What information is needed in an Affidavit of Support?

An Affidavit of Support should include the sponsor’s personal details (name, address, date of birth, place of birth), their relationship to the immigrant, information about their employment and income, and their promise to support the immigrant.

Can I withdraw an Affidavit of Support after submitting it?

No, once you submit an Affidavit of Support, you are legally obligated to provide support. If the person you are sponsoring receives any “means-tested public benefits,” you are responsible for repaying the cost.

How long is the Affidavit of Support valid?

The Affidavit of Support is often valid until the person being sponsored becomes a U.S. citizen, has worked in the U.S. for 40 quarters, leaves the U.S. permanently, or passes away.

Frank Gogol

I’m a firm believer that information is the key to financial freedom. On the Stilt Blog, I write about the complex topics — like finance, immigration, and technology — to help immigrants make the most of their lives in the U.S. Our content and brand have been featured in Forbes, TechCrunch, VentureBeat, and more.

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