Fillable Form I-134

What is Form I-134?

 

Officially Affidavit of Support, or Form I-134, is a legal document used by a person residing in the United States — whether a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident, also known as a green card holder — to confirm agreement to sponsor a non-U.S. citizen. It informs the U.S. government that the sponsor is willing to support an individual financially during the temporary stay of the visitor in the country.

 

An individual who is coming to the U.S. and is likely to become a public charge is considered inadmissible under Section 212 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA); thus, before being allowed to enter the country, he or she must have a sponsor who is able to support him or her financially.

 

A sponsor who will be supporting several foreign nationals should submit one Form I-134 for each individual.

 

Form I-134 is commonly used in connection with application for visitor, fiance, and diversity visas. As a legal contract between the sponsor and the U.S., it ensures that a foreign individual who will temporarily stay in the U.S. will not become a liability to the U.S. government.

 

A non-immigrant should not apply for public assistance in the U.S. Public assistance may be in the form of Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), food stamps, or other subsidized or provided benefits by the government.

 

Signing and filing Form I-134 makes it legally binding and under penalty of perjury under the U.S. law. The U.S. government can sue a sponsor whose sponsored visitor has received government assistance. Doing so would enable the government to recover the cost of providing assistance. In the event that a sponsored person applies for public assistance, the responsible government agency can take the assets and income of a sponsor into consideration when determining if assistance should be given or not.

 

Filing Form I-134 has no cost.

 

When filing Form I-134, the sponsor should submit all evidence required, as failure to submit any documentation necessary to be approved as a sponsor will lead to the rejection or denial of the affidavit by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

 

The USCIS requires the following supporting documents from a sponsor:

 

Statement from an officer of the bank or financial institutions with deposits, showing the date the account was opened, the total amount deposited for the past year, and the present balance;

 

Statement from your employer on business stationery, showing the date and nature of employment, salary paid, and tenure in the company;

 

A list containing serial numbers and denominations of bonds and name.

 

If self-employed, also submit:

 

Copy of latest income tax return; or

 

Report of commercial rating concern.

 

How to Fill Out Form I-134?

 

Form I-134 is an eight-page affidavit that has six parts.

 

Your Full Name

 

Provide your full legal name, as shown on your legal documents.

 

Other Names Used

 

Provide all the other names you have ever used. If you need extra space, use the space provided in Part 7.

 

Sponsor’s Mailing Address

 

Provide your mailing address and answer if it is the same as your physical address.

 

Sponsor’s Physical Address

 

Provide your physical address.

 

Other Information

 

Provide additional personal information and give your Alien Registration Number, U.S. Social Security Number, and USCIS Online Account Number if there are any.

 

Citizenship or Residency Status

 

If applicable, provide the required citizenship or residency-related information.

 

Part 2. Information About the Beneficiary

 

Provide the personal information of the beneficiary or foreign visitor.

 

Beneficiary’s Physical Address

 

Provide the physical address of the foreign visitor.

 

Beneficiary’s Spouse

 

If accompanying or following to join beneficiary, provide the personal information of the beneficiary’s spouse.

 

Beneficiary’s Children

 

List the personal information of each child who will be traveling to the U.S. with the beneficiary.

 

Part 3. Other Information About the Sponsor

 

Employment Information

 

Provide your job title and business name of the employer of the sponsor. If self-employed, write your job title.

 

Current Employer Address

 

If employed, provide the current address of your employer.

 

Income and Asset Information

 

Provide your required financial information, including annual income, amounts of savings and checking accounts in the United States, value of personal property, the market value of stocks and bonds, and other relevant information.

 

Real Estate Information

 

Provide real estate-related information including values and location.

 

Dependents’ Information

 

Provide the personal information of the dependents, if applicable. If you need extra space, use the space provided in Part 7.

 

Part 4. Sponsor’s Statement, Contact Information, Certification, and Signature

 

Before completing this section, make sure you read the Penalties section of Form I-134.

 

Sponsor’s Statement

 

Mark the applicable boxes that describe your responsibilities by completing the form.

 

Sponsor’s Contact Information

 

Provide your telephone number and email address.

 

Sponsor’s Certification

 

This section contains terms and conditions that would determine your confirmation.

 

Sponsor’s Signature

 

Provide your signature and date the document.

 

Part 5. Interpreter’s Contact Information, Certification, and Signature

 

Interpreter’s Full Name

 

Provide the interpreter’s full legal name and business or organization name if applicable.

 

Interpreter’s Mailing Address

 

Provide the mailing address of the interpreter.

 

Interpreter’s Contact Information

 

Provide the interpreter’s telephone number and email address.

 

Interpreter’s Certification

 

Provide the language the interpreter is fluent in.

 

Interpreter’s Signature

 

Provide the interpreter’s signature and date the section was signed by him or her.

 

Part 6. Contact Information, Statement, Declaration, and Signature of the Person Preparing this Affidavit, if Other Than the Sponsor

 

Preparer’s Full Name

 

Provide the preparer’s full legal name and business or organization name if applicable.

 

Preparer’s Mailing Address

 

Provide the mailing address of the preparer.

 

Preparer’s Contact Information

 

Provide the preparer’s telephone number and email address.

 

Preparer’s Statement

 

Mark the applicable boxes that describe the preparer’s responsibilities when completing the form.

 

Preparer’s Certification

 

This section contains terms that would determine the interpreter’s confirmation.

 

Preparer’s Signature

 

Provide the preparer’s signature and date the section was signed by him or her.

 

Part 7. Additional Information

 

Use this extra space to provide additional information.

 

Your Full Name

 

Provide your full legal name and A-Number if you have any.

 

Use the remaining spaces to write additional information. Always provide the Page Number, Part Number, and Item Number where the information should be.