An affidavit letter is a written statement you submit under oath that the facts within it are true, if you know someone who is immigrating to the United States.You may be asked to write an affidavit letter on behalf of someone you know who is in the process of immigration.An affidavit is usually written to back up the immigrant's claim that his or her marriage was made in good faith.It is possible that you will be asked to write a sworn declaration regarding facts or information about the immigrant.
Step 1: Talk to a person about moving to the U.S.
You should write an affidavit for someone you know very well.If you are close to the couple and have spent a lot of time with them, you would be asked to write an affidavit.In the affidavit, you will relate facts or circumstances that support their marriage as a legitimate one, rather than simply a marriage of convenience to obtain U.S. permanent residency or citizenship.If you are a close family member of the couple, or a religious leader who knows them, you may be asked to write an affidavit.Affidavits aren't required by the U.S.Most immigration attorneys recommend that you submit several affidavits along with the petition for permanent residency.Your affidavit shows that the couple is planning for the future and that they happily live together.
Step 2: You should outline your facts.
The points you want to make about the couple's relationship should be outlined before you start writing your affidavit.You may be able to get a sample affidavit from the person you're writing the affidavit for.You should only use samples that are a guide to the types of information that can be included in your affidavit.To make sure you have correct dates and times, you may want to review documents or talk to your friends.If you went to the couple's wedding, you may double-check with them to make sure you have the correct date.You want to show facts and observations that will convince you that the couple is in love and intends to stay together.The couple is no longer together in some cases.Even though the relationship didn't last, affidavits can still be used to show the good faith intent of the immigrant candidate.You can include your understanding of why the couple split.You may have seen altercations between the couple if spousal abuse was involved.
Step 3: You should format your document.
When writing an affidavit, you can either use the standard legal format or use a traditional business letter.The person for whom you're writing the affidavit may have a format they prefer you to use.You should use that format if they prefer it.You have the option of choosing the format with which you're most comfortable.You should double-space your document if you choose a different format.A template for business letter format is required for your word-processing application.You can use "Dear USCIS Officer" as your salutation.If you decide to use a business letter format, you should include your name and address at the top of the letter, as well as the service center where it will be submitted.The person for whom you're writing the affidavit can give you this information.Paragraphs should relate a single point or fact if you're using the legal format.Number your paragraphs in chronological order.The default font on your word-processing application is fine if you want to type your affidavit in a basic legible style.
Step 4: Title it.
The purpose of the affidavit should be explained in your title.The subject line of your letter will be your title.You should use the names of the couple and state that the affidavit letter is in support of them.
Step 5: You have to identify yourself.
You have to state your full legal name, address, birth date, and place of birth in your first paragraph.The second paragraph is used if you're using the legal format.How did you meet the couple?Information about how often you see the couple should be included.All of this information can be included in a single paragraph.Tell me how long you've known the couple and how often you spend time with them.If you attend the same church as the couple, you can write that you see them at church twice a week.
Step 6: You should present your facts in separate paragraphs.
If you're using business letter format your paragraphs will be longer than if you use legal format, but each fact or anecdote about the couple should be a separate paragraph.Each paragraph should be numbered if you're using legal format.It is possible that your paragraphs are no more than a sentence or two.Provide as much information as possible.The stronger your affidavit is, the better it supports the couple.The point of your affidavit is to support the fact that their marriage was made in good faith and that the person for whom you're writing the affidavit could obtain U.S. citizenship.
Step 7: You need to close your affidavit.
If you want, you can provide a phone number or email address for the USCIS officer to contact you if he or she has any questions about the information contained in your affidavit.You should type a sentence that says "I swear, under penalty of perjury, that the foregoing is true and correct to the best of my knowledge."After you type your full legal name, leave a few lines blank for your signature.
Step 8: Your affidavit should be signed in the presence of a notarial person.
It isn't required, but you may want to use a notary to confirm your identification.There is a difference between an affidavit and a sworn declaration.Both documents are signed under oath.You can find a notary public at a bank.You may have to pay a small fee.Signing in the presence of a notarial is required when using legal affidavit format.You can simply write a letter and present it as a sworn declaration.Affidavits are more formal.
Step 9: You should submit an affidavit.
When you have completed the affidavit, you will give it to your friend or attorney.If your friend has an attorney, he or she will review your affidavit to make sure it supports their case.You may be called to testify about the information contained in your affidavit.
Step 10: Determine if you need to file an affidavit of support.
If you are the petitioner of an immigrant petition for a family member, you should file an affidavit of support.The affidavit is a legally binding document in which you promise to be financially responsible for the person immigrating to the U.S.The responsibility usually lasts until the person has been in the U.S. for ten years.If the person is moving to the U.S. from another country, the affidavit is needed.If the person files an immigrant visa application, it can be used for employment-based immigration.You must be the sponsor if you file an immigrant visa petition on behalf of an immediate relative.If you are 18 years of age or older and live in the U.S., you can be an immigrant's sponsor.They need to be at least 18 years old and have the same citizenship and residency requirements.
Step 11: You need to get an I-864 form.
You can either get the form from the National Visa Center or the website of the US Citizenship and Immigration Services.To complete your affidavit, you may need to fill out other forms.The forms can be downloaded from the website.If you are outside the U.S., you can get paper forms at a USCIS field office.
Step 12: You must complete the form.
To fill out the form, you have to answer all the questions and type or print them.Information about you, your relationship to the applicants, the immigrant you are sponsoring, and your qualifications to be an immigrant sponsor are required by the form.Attach separate sheets of paper or use the "Additional Information" area of the form if you need more space to write your answer.The separate paper should include your name and item from the affidavit that the answer refers to.To be a sponsor for an immigrant, you have to meet certain income requirements.For your household's size, you must have a household income that exceeds 125 percent of the U.S. poverty level.If you fill out Form I-864P, you can determine if you meet those requirements.You can include the cash value of your assets or the income of other household members if you don't meet income requirements to become a sponsor.The people must be related to you by birth, marriage, or adoption.
Step 13: Support documents are assembled.
There are certain documents that need to be provided with evidence of statements made in your affidavit.In some cases, you can provide a copy of the requested documents.You should read the instructions carefully.While the immigrant's application is being processed, the USCIS may still request to see the original if you submit a photocopy.You need to provide proof that you are a U.S. citizen.A copy of your birth certificate, certificate of naturalization, and U.S. passport are required to prove citizenship status.You have to give an IRS transcript or a copy of your tax return for the previous year as proof of income.
Step 14: You should sign your affidavit.
If you want to sign your affidavit in front of a U.S. consular or immigration officer, you have to do that in the US.You are signing your affidavit under oath, so keep that in mind.If you include false information in your affidavit, you could be charged with a crime in the U.S.
Step 15: The appropriate agency will receive your form.
The person for whom you wrote the affidavit is seeking an immigrant visa or an adjustment of status will determine where you need to send your completed affidavit.If you are a joint sponsor, you should not send your affidavit to the government agency.The form will be sent to the office for review.If your relative is applying for an adjustment of status from within the U.S., you must submit your form after he or she is scheduled for a visa interview.You should follow the instructions on the form that was mailed to you.You may have to pay a filing fee if your documents are filed with the NVC.If you file an affidavit from within the U.S., you will have to pay a $120 fee.They will review your affidavit and make sure it's complete.You could be called for an interview with a USCIS officer to discuss the information in your affidavit.
Step 16: Talk to a person about moving to the U.S.
You need to know the information for which the person needs supplemental documentation before you write a sworn declaration.A birth certificate is one of the personal documents that must be provided when applying for immigration to the U.S.In some cases these documents can't be obtained.The facility where birth certificates were stored may have burned down, or the immigrant may live in a war-torn area where government authority was notexistent when he or she was born.If an application can't get certain documents, sworn declarations will be accepted as replacements.A sworn declaration about why the original document is unavailable is required by the application.If you have first-hand knowledge of the facts, you may be able to give a sworn declaration.You can confirm the person's birthdate or place of birth.If you are a government worker in the person's home country, you may be asked to write a sworn declaration explaining why the original document is not available.
Step 17: You should outline the facts.
If you want the information to flow well in your final document, you need to plan it out.The purpose of your declaration will dictate the information you include.Facts that you don't have first-hand knowledge should not be included.It's not enough to know that the person you're writing the declaration for was born on July 4, 1984 in order to prove his birthdate.If you were present at his birth, you could support his claim about his date of birth.As much information as possible.Specific details about the necessary facts that support the person's application are more important than any formal wording, legal terms, or fancy formatting.
Step 18: You should format your document.
You can either use the traditional format for a legal affidavit or write a sworn declaration in business letter format.If the person for whom you're writing the declaration has an attorney, there may be a format he or she prefers.You can find sample declarations online that you can use as guides.You should be careful about copying language from sample declarations that don't apply to your situation.A sworn declaration is not an affidavit since you won't have to sign it in person.Under penalty of perjury, your signature still confirms that the information in the declaration is true and correct to the best of your knowledge.The text is single-spaced with a double-space between paragraphs in both formats.The default fonts for word-processing applications are legible.
Step 19: Title your statement.
The title tells the officer what the document is and who it relates to.Your title might be "Declaration in Support of Application of..." with the person's full legal name as it appears on his or her immigration application.The subject line of a business letter should contain the same information as the title.
Step 20: You have to identify yourself.
You need to provide your full legal name and residence along with your birth date and place of birth to begin your declaration.If the officer who reviews your declaration wants to schedule an interview with you, please include your phone number or other contact information.Identifying how you know the information you're about to give is the next thing you should do.What you write will be dependent on your situation.You would state that you were a doctor in the town where she was born if you wrote to support her birth date.Information about how long you worked at a hospital might be included.Information that supports your authority is relevant.
Step 21: Give your facts in numbered paragraphs.
Paragraphs should be numbered if you are using the traditional format.If you use a business letter format, you can present your facts in a narrative style.The facts you're being asked to verify will determine how long your declaration is.A paragraph or two is enough to confirm someone's birthdate.If you're asked to write a declaration in support of the fact that the man is no longer married because his wife died, you may have to include all the details and relate how you have first-hand knowledge of those facts.It is more likely that your statement will be accepted as truth if you describe the facts and circumstances.Regardless of whether you believe they are relevant, you should include as many details as you can remember.
Step 22: You should close your declaration.
A statement that the declaration was signed under oath is required to close your declaration.The standard wording is "I swear, under penalty of perjury, that the foregoing is true and correct to the best of my knowledge."Skip a few lines under this statement for your signature, then type your full legal name and leave another space to enter the date by hand when you sign your declaration.
Step 23: You can print and sign your declaration.
You may want to print a copy of your declaration.You usually submit it to the person for whom you wrote the declaration.The attorney may suggest changes to the declaration that would make it more supportive of the immigration application.