Affidavit of Support Clarification

[Sheepish Mareep 0]

I bother you all a lot on here.. Thanks so much for all of your help!

So we're getting ready to send off the initial packet, but I just needed clarification on the affidavit of support later on. I've had a full-time job since November that makes enough money, but because of university my previous tax returns aren't enough. I was told to seek a co-sponsor. My parents have offered to do this. My questions are as follows:

1) Does your co-sponsor have to live with you? Would I have to live at my parents to use them as a cosponsor?

2) Would one of them submit for both names, and use only their income? My parents both work and I believe file taxes together. So would I include their joint three tax returns? Would my co-sponsor on one form be both of them?

3) Bankruptcy. My parents are now financially secure after getting some things figured out, and have the money in their bank and steady jobs, but have been in bankruptcy for a year. They don't check credit of co-sponsors, correct?

4) If I changed my address and no longer lived with my co-sponsors (if I had to live with them to have them as co-sponsors), is that an issue if I changed my addy later on?

I make enough money to support my husband once he gets here, but I just figured it'd be safer to use a co-sponsor along with proof of my current income. Thanks so much!

Edited January 19, 2011 by Sheepish Mareep

[Mrs O. 29]

1) Does your co-sponsor have to live with you? Would I have to live at my parents to use them as a cosponsor?

No, you dont have to live at the same address as your consponsor(s)

2) Would one of them submit for both names, and use only their income? My parents both work and I believe file taxes together. So would I include their joint three tax returns? Would my co-sponsor on one form be both of them?

If the income of just one of the them covers the requirements then only one of them need be a co-sponsor and fill out the AOS form. The one person will send their tax return even if the other person's name is included.

3) Bankruptcy. My parents are now financially secure after getting some things figured out, and have the money in their bank and steady jobs, but have been in bankruptcy for a year. They don't check credit of co-sponsors, correct?

I am not sure about this.

4) If I changed my address and no longer lived with my co-sponsors (if I had to live with them to have them as co-sponsors), is that an issue if I changed my addy later on?

Living at the same address is not an issue. You dont even have to be related to the co-sponsor(s)!

Edited January 19, 2011 by Mrs O.

[Christi85 86]

Just to add my two cents.

1)No you don't, and your joint sponsors need not be relatives. It can be any US citizen living in the US or any US permanent resident who qualifies with their income or assets. However, if you DO live with your parents at the time of preparing the affidavit, then they'll need to fill out the I-864A form, as they'll be considered household members. If you live apart, then they'll need to fill out a separate I-864.

2)+1 to what Mrs. O has said. However, if you're only using one of them as your joint sponsor, make sure you have proof of their individual income (such as W2) since they file jointly and their individual income may not show on the tax returns.

3)Not as far as I've heard, they don't. They only check sponsors' tax returns and proof of income/assets.

4)You don't have to live with them in the first place. For any change of address though, the sponsors (primary or joint sponsors) need to inform USCIS of their change of address for as long as the sponsorship obligation is still in effect.

Edited January 19, 2011 by Christi85

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

London will accept your sole sponsorship if you can show proof of those current earnings. So you will provide a letter from your employer and 6 current paystubs to do that since your 2010 tax return won't cover the proof needed.

The other responses to your questions are correct, but you earn enough to sponsor without needing joint sponsors. Just show London your current income.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

London will accept your sole sponsorship if you can show proof of those current earnings. So you will provide a letter from your employer and 6 current paystubs to do that since your 2010 tax return won't cover the proof needed.

The other responses to your questions are correct, but you earn enough to sponsor without needing joint sponsors. Just show London your current income.

Adding: or show the NVC your income since you're doing the CR1.

[Sheepish Mareep 0]

Thanks guys So there's a chance I could do this without a cosponsor? I only have 5 pay stubs at the moment..