Form DS-260, officially known as the “Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Application,” is a document used by individuals seeking to immigrate to the United States. When completing Form DS-260, applicants are generally required to submit a variety of supporting documents, often referred to as civil documents. These documents help verify the information provided in the application.
Here is a checklist of common civil documents that applicants may be required to submit with Form DS-260:
- Passport: A copy of the biodata page of the passport for each visa applicant.
- Birth Certificate: A copy of the birth certificate for each visa applicant.
- Marriage Certificate or Divorce Decree: If applicable, provide a copy of the marriage certificate or divorce decree. This is relevant for married applicants or those who have been previously married.
- Police Certificates: Applicants aged 16 years and older are usually required to obtain police certificates from the countries where they have lived for six months or more since the age of 16.
- Military Records: If applicable, provide military records for each visa applicant.
- Court and Prison Records: If an applicant has been convicted of a crime, they may need to submit court and prison records.
- Adoption Documents: If the applicant is adopted, provide adoption documents.
- Photographs: Submit two recent passport-sized photographs for each visa applicant.
- Affidavit of Support (Form I-864): If applicable, the petitioner (U.S. sponsor) must submit the Affidavit of Support along with supporting financial evidence.
- Civil Documents for Derivative Applicants: If there are derivative applicants (spouse or children), provide the necessary civil documents for each of them.
It’s important to note that specific document requirements can vary depending on the visa category and the U.S. embassy or consulate processing the application. Additionally, documents not in English must be accompanied by certified translations.
Form I-864A, Contract Between Sponsor and Household Member
Form I-864A, officially known as the “Contract Between Sponsor and Household Member,” is a supplementary form to Form I-864, which is the Affidavit of Support required for many family-based immigrants and some employment-based immigrants in the United States. The purpose of Form I-864A is to provide additional income and support information when the primary sponsor’s income is insufficient to meet the financial requirements.
Here’s an overview of Form I-864A:
Purpose:
Form I-864A is used when the primary sponsor (the person petitioning for the immigrant) does not meet the minimum income requirements to support the intending immigrant(s) and their household members. In such cases, a household member can submit Form I-864A to combine their income and assets with the primary sponsor’s to meet the financial obligations: https://bwea.com/form-i864a/
Eligibility of Household Member:
The household member must be related to the sponsor or the intending immigrant(s) through birth, marriage, or adoption. They need to be living with the sponsor and have the same principal residence.
Key Information and Sections:
- Part 1 – Information About You (Household Member): This section collects personal information about the household member, including their relationship to the sponsor and their address.
- Part 2 – Information About the Principal Immigrant Sponsor: This part gathers details about the primary sponsor, including their A-Number (if applicable) and the case number.
- Part 3 – Contract Between Sponsor and Household Member: This is the contractual agreement in which the household member agrees to make their income and assets available to support the sponsored immigrant(s).
Signatures:
Both the sponsor and the household member must sign the form. The sponsor is the principal sponsor on Form I-864.
Filing:
Form I-864A should be submitted along with Form I-864 when required. It is not a standalone form.
Supporting Documentation:
Supporting documentation, such as proof of income and assets for both the sponsor and the household member, should be included.
Important Notes:
- The sponsor is ultimately responsible for the financial support, and the income and assets of the household member are considered as additional resources to meet the minimum income requirements.
- The household member’s income is not combined with the sponsor’s for purposes of determining household size.
As immigration processes and forms are subject to change, it’s essential to refer to the most recent version of the instructions provided by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) when completing Form I-864A.