Hi all...

So I am just finishing up this huge packed of paperwork and realized that on the affidavit of support, they require household members who file the I-864A to provide proof of residency and relationship to the sponsor...I can prove residency because we actually all live together and any peice of mail has my name and address on it. But how do I prove relationship? Maybe a transcript of a night at my house will suffice!!!

Also, I started this paperwork and my own I-129F over 30 days ago, some documents have already been notarized and the dates on everything varies, is that a problem? Do I need to make sure everything is within the last 30 days?

Thanks again!!!

Hi Rangena,

The dates of notarization won't matter if they're different.

As far as residency and relationship...I'm not sure, I would think just mail showing you reside together would be enough. Someone living in your household doesn't have to be related by blood.

Best Wishes,
Rene

Rangena,

Household membership status is defined by the relationships of birth, marriage, or adoption. There are government-issued certificates for all three events in most countries. Depending on how close or distant the relationships are, it may take several certificates, possibly of different types, to establish the relationship between any two individuals.

Regards, JEff

Hi JEff,

Can someone who is living in the household but not a relative by birth, marriage, or adoption complete the I-864A? I know in Rangena's case, they are actually all relatives...but in general, how would someone who is not a relative but living in the household and filing an I-864A show "relationship"? Perhaps a rental agreement of some sort?

Rene

I guess that is our issue, my parents don't have a marriage certificate and none of us have birth certificates!!! Since my father and I are filing the I-864A forms for my brother and sister affidavits of support so I am not sure how we can prove we are relatives...we do note it on the I-864A's and I even wrote a letter accompanying the forms to explain the situation...

Rene,

Ususally, sponsors are trying exclude residents of the abode from household membership, to minimize the household size, not include them!

From the I-864 instructions, "When determining your income, you may include the income generated by individuals related to you by birth, marriage, or adoption who are living in your residence, if they have lived in your residence for the previous 6 months, or who are listed as dependents on your most recent Federal income tax return whether or not they live in your residence. For their income to be considered, these household members or dependents must be willing to make their income available for the support of the sponsored immigrant(s) if necessary, and to complete and sign Form I-864A, Contract Between Sponsor and Household Member."

So, it seems that someone living in the residence who is not a relative by birth, marriage, or adoption, or who is not a dependent for tax purposes, is not a household member - and therefore cannot enter into an I-864A with the sponsor. There is no valid relationship - for I-864 purposes - to be shown.

Regards, JEff

Thanks, JEff! I always thought anyone living in the household could do an I-864A, but I see that's not the case. Interesting.

Rangena, if you don't have birth certificates and marriage certificates to back up the I-864A, I guess all you can do is write a letter explaining the circumstances, or perhaps get sworn affidavits from people who know you and know the relationship...?

Best Wishes,
Rene

Unobtainable birth certificates

Your birth record may not be obtainable. Some reasons are listed
below.
Your birth was never officially recorded.
Your birth records have been destroyed.
The appropriate government authority will not issue one.

Please obtain a certified statement from the appropriate government
authority stating the reason your birth record is not available. With
the certified statement you must submit secondary evidence. For
example:
A baptismal certificate that contains the date and place of birth and
both parent's names providing the baptism took place shortly after
birth
An adoption decree for an adopted child, or
An affidavit from a close relative, preferably the applicant's
mother, stating the date and place of birth, both parent's names, and
the mother's maiden name.

Note : An affidavit must be executed before an official authorized to
take oaths or affirmations. Information regarding the procedures for
obtaining birth certificates is usually available from the embassy or
consulate of the country concerned.