Affidavit Letter of Support

Affidavit Letter of Support

Although 500 billion US dollars were lost in the US travel spending because of the onset of the global health crisis brought upon by COVID-19 in 2020, there are still 79.6 million visitors who currently travel inbound to the US according to a report published by Condor Ferries. However, among those who want to pursue their American dream do not have the means to live in the States. In that case, a family member, close friend, or sponsor can help take financial responsibility for them. Hence, it is a need for an Affidavit Letter of Support. Find out more about this document in this article and how to create one using a Support Affidavit Template.  Read More

What Is an Affidavit Letter of Support?

An Affidavit Letter of Support is one of the Support Affidavits. It is a support letter for Form I-864, which is a document that an individual signs to accept financial responsibility for an applicant who is going to the US to live there. The person who signs the Affidavit Letter of Support is called the “petitioner.” He or she must complete the form and if the petitioner’s income is not sufficient, a joint sponsorship may be agreed upon on behalf of the applicant. There are other types of Support Affidavit forms, they are (a) Form I-864EZ and (b) Form I-864A. The Form I-864EZ is a brief and simpler version of Form I-864. It is usually required for family-based immigrants to show that an applicant has adequate means of financial support. On the other hand, Form I-864A is a contract between the sponsor and household member, which should be attached to Form I-864 as support that a household member’s income and/or assets are being used by a petitioner to qualify for the sponsorship.

 

How Do You Write an Affidavit Letter of Support?

Do you want to go abroad? If you are planning to live in a foreign land, especially in the US, be prepared to comply with many paperwork as it requires the completion of lots of forms and documents. But do not have worry about that because we will lessen the hustle by helping you write an Affidavit Letter of Support. Before you begin, make sure you have filled out the Form I-864 since an affidavit letter is not an official document provided by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) but a “letter of support.” For more information and requirements, you can visit the (USCIS) website. To get started, follow the steps in the list below. 

Include a Title and Captions

Like any other documents, your Affidavit Letter of Support needs to have a title that captures the attention of the readers. Remember that your audience is people of authority who have a lot of things on their plates. Hence, the title should tell them right away what the affidavit is all about. For example, you could title the letter as simply as “Affidavit Letter of Support” or “Affidavit of,” followed by your name. Then, place the title at the topmost part of the document, written in bold font size. Additionally, include the name of the court including the location in the caption right after the title. If there is a court case involved, add the case title, the names of the defendants and the plaintiffs as well as the case number.

Acknowledge the Affiant’s Identity

Your Affidavit Letter of Support’s next part is the introduction of the affiant. It must come next to the title. The affiant is acknowledged as the person who creates and/or signs the affidavit. In that case, the identity of the authorized person to sponsor an applicant should be identified in this section. Thus, state the affiant’s complete legal name, age, gender, occupation, place of residence, and relationship to the litigant or the person the affiant is writing an affidavit letter for. If applicable, indicate the affiant’s qualifications and other relevant exhibits (more on this below).

Provide Sworn Confirmation of Facts

Why is it imperative to provide sworn confirmation of facts in the affidavit letter? Since an affidavit is a written statement that is considered made under oath, it is only valid when created voluntarily without coercion. Signing an affidavit means you are asserting that the information in it is true and that you have personal knowledge about the facts indicated in the affidavit. So, before outlining the facts, you need to swear or affirm that you are about to report is true. Then list the facts and make sure they are typed in plain language, without embellishment or statements of personal opinion. Use the first person point of view in outlining the essential facts clearly and in chronological order. After the facts are listed, you may reconfirm your sworn statement at the end of your affidavit letter. 

Include Relevant Exhibits and Sign the Affidavit

Include relevant exhibits or other documents that need to be referenced and label them in a numbered sequence in your affidavit. Even though this is not mandatory but is highly recommended since it can make the approval process faster and a lot smoother. These may include bank statements, receipts, or other documents proving that the affiant is qualified to sponsor an applicant. Lastly, the final step is to get the affidavit notarized. Some state laws offer remote notary services, but most states require you to have your affidavit notarized in the physical presence of a notary public. 

FAQs

Why would I need an affidavit?

Affidavit letters serve many important purposes. They are filed with the court as proof that specific information is true. In some cases, an attorney can use the affidavit letter on your behalf so that you do not have to appear in court or at another official legal proceeding.

What is the importance of being truthful in an affidavit?

Swearing something that is not true in an affidavit is technically a violation of the law. With that, you can be fined or even imprisoned for committing a false statement. It is similar to lying on the stand in a court proceeding.

Yes, a general affidavit is legal. It is any sworn statement of facts on any subject. They are the most versatile affidavit because you can tailor them to meet specific requirements and needs in any legal situation. Moreover, like other types of affidavits, a general affidavit is signed under oath and in the presence of a notary public.

Do not be discouraged if you do not have the means to live in a foreign. With the help of someone who is close to you, like a friend, relative, or family member; they can vouch on your behalf and take your financial responsibility. And to do this legally, let them write an affidavit letter of support today.