i-864 confusion

[oohpartiv 484]

Even though I haven't gotten my NOA2 yet, I'm trying to be proactive with these AOS papers so that when USCIS does approve my husband's paperwork, we'll be ready. Here's the thing:

I'm 21 years old. I've been with my husband for 4.5 years, married for 1.5. We met when I was an exchange student in high school, and as soon as I graduated from high school, I moved to Ecuador to go to school and be with him. I've never had an official job, so I've never filed taxes. My mom is going to be my joint sponsor, and I thought I understood the process, until browsing around the forums and reading others' experiences and getting waaaay confused.

I, as the petitioner, have to file an i-864 (correct?). How should I do it? Just go through and put zero income, etc etc? And should my Mom (who lives stateside) file an i-864, too, or an i-864a? Also, I read somewhere that I have to write a letter explaining why I have zero income, no tax receipts, etc - what should that letter look like (length, format, etc)?

Oh, and - do I have to provide some sort of proof that my Mom is related to me (my birth certificate or something), or does that not matter?

I'm really nervous that I'm going to do something wrong, or omit some sort of important part, and get another RFE ): thanks for any info you can give me!

[Cathi 5,794]

you both have to file i 864, and you would put $0 for income on yours

[amykathleen2005 441]

Even though I haven't gotten my NOA2 yet, I'm trying to be proactive with these AOS papers so that when USCIS does approve my husband's paperwork, we'll be ready. Here's the thing:

I'm 21 years old. I've been with my husband for 4.5 years, married for 1.5. We met when I was an exchange student in high school, and as soon as I graduated from high school, I moved to Ecuador to go to school and be with him. I've never had an official job, so I've never filed taxes. My mom is going to be my joint sponsor, and I thought I understood the process, until browsing around the forums and reading others' experiences and getting waaaay confused.

I, as the petitioner, have to file an i-864 (correct?). How should I do it? Just go through and put zero income, etc etc? And should my Mom (who lives stateside) file an i-864, too, or an i-864a? Also, I read somewhere that I have to write a letter explaining why I have zero income, no tax receipts, etc - what should that letter look like (length, format, etc)?

Oh, and - do I have to provide some sort of proof that my Mom is related to me (my birth certificate or something), or does that not matter?

I'm really nervous that I'm going to do something wrong, or omit some sort of important part, and get another RFE ): thanks for any info you can give me!

You both do I-864, (you cannot do I-864a because you are not in the same househoold). She needs proof of citizenship, tax transcripts, employee letters and paystubs. You just write $0 on yours and a brief letter stating you were a student with no income.

[Penguin_ie 5,997]

You both fill in a I-864. No need for a birthcert, but you can write a cover letter explaining the relationship if you want (it is a positive that a close relative trusts your relationship with your spouse so much they are willing to co-sponsor), and make sure to include something that shows she is a US citizen.

Your letter about why you didn't file taxes should be short and sweet, and include your original signature. Here is what my husband wrote:

To Whom It May Concern:

I am Mr Penguin, Penguin's husband and petitioning sponsor. I did not file an income tax return for the years 2005, 2006 or 2007 because I have not worked during my 3 year residence within the Republic of Ireland. Once I came to Ireland, I was unable to find work and so used savings; I was maintained by my wife upon her income and savings. Since I made no income for these years of any type, I was not required to file an income tax return with the Internal Revenue Service.

Sincerely, Mr Penguin.

[oohpartiv 484]

You both fill in a I-864. No need for a birthcert, but you can write a cover letter explaining the relationship if you want (it is a positive that a close relative trusts your relationship with your spouse so much they are willing to co-sponsor), and make sure to include something that shows she is a US citizen.

Your letter about why you didn't file taxes should be short and sweet, and include your original signature. Here is what my husband wrote:

To Whom It May Concern:

I am Mr Penguin, Penguin's husband and petitioning sponsor. I did not file an income tax return for the years 2005, 2006 or 2007 because I have not worked during my 3 year residence within the Republic of Ireland. Once I came to Ireland, I was unable to find work and so used savings; I was maintained by my wife upon her income and savings. Since I made no income for these years of any type, I was not required to file an income tax return with the Internal Revenue Service.

Sincerely, Mr Penguin.

Ahh, thanks so much! I was really unsure of how to go about writing the letter - that makes it much simpler. (: Thanks all!

[pushbrk 13,166]

You both fill in a I-864. No need for a birthcert, but you can write a cover letter explaining the relationship if you want (it is a positive that a close relative trusts your relationship with your spouse so much they are willing to co-sponsor), and make sure to include something that shows she is a US citizen.

Your letter about why you didn't file taxes should be short and sweet, and include your original signature. Here is what my husband wrote:

To Whom It May Concern:

I am Mr Penguin, Penguin's husband and petitioning sponsor. I did not file an income tax return for the years 2005, 2006 or 2007 because I have not worked during my 3 year residence within the Republic of Ireland. Once I came to Ireland, I was unable to find work and so used savings; I was maintained by my wife upon her income and savings. Since I made no income for these years of any type, I was not required to file an income tax return with the Internal Revenue Service.

Sincerely, Mr Penguin.

You can actually skip any letter on this and just hand print in the tax return info section of the I-864, "Not required to file. No income." You'll be signing the form under penalty of perjury. No separate signed letter is needed.

[oohpartiv 484]

You can actually skip any letter on this and just hand print in the tax return info section of the I-864, "Not required to file. No income." You'll be signing the form under penalty of perjury. No separate signed letter is needed.

Where should I write that? In question 25, I have two options where I have to check a box and fill in the corresponding information - so, since neither option applies, should I write what you said at the top of the question and not check either, or...?

[pushbrk 13,166]

Where should I write that? In question 25, I have two options where I have to check a box and fill in the corresponding information - so, since neither option applies, should I write what you said at the top of the question and not check either, or...?

Hand print the statement in the available space and check neither box.

[oohpartiv 484]

Great, thank you so much for the help!