The Department of States has recently changed its requirements for filing the I-864 Affidavit of Support. Previously, a sponsor was required to provide copies of Federal income tax returns for the three most recent taxable years, along with evidence of current employment. Effective immediately, the sponsor is required to submit with their I-864 a certified copy of only the most recent Federal income tax return. If assets are needed to meet the minimum income requirement, sponsors also will be asked to submit evidence that the assets have a cash value that equals at least five times the difference between total household income and the poverty guideline for the household size, exclusive of liens, mortgages, and liabilities.
Posted by Kevin at March 10, 2006 01:52 PMKevin... Where is this information posted? I could not find this on the State Department site or instructions for the I-864 anywhere. Also, does the one tax report need to be notarized and certified now, in contrast to reports not needing to be notarized in the past? Thanks for giving us the latest scoop.
Posted by: John at March 12, 2006 05:20 AMI found this out from an agency who I trust. It was validated by two different embassies. This only invovled the US end of the process, so certifictaions and authentications would not be necessary.
Info on gov websites and forms lag behind policy changes.
I've posted all that I know on this topic. I'd encourage everyone going for Gotcha to consult their agency on exactly what they need to do (and for the next few weeks, it can't hurt to be prepared with both the old and new way as policy changes tend to cause some confusion).
Just to be clear, this only impacts cases coming home on an IR4 visa. IF you visited prior to the adoption being finalized in Guatemala this will not impact you.
Kevin
Guatadopt.com
HI-
Please will you define a "certified copy"? Is this where we get it notarized then certified? Or is this like a certified copy, like our birth cert where we have to request from someone a certified copy??
Thanks, we are waiting for pink anyday now so this is of great concern for me. Our agency has not mentioned this to us. If we have to order a certified copy from the IRS I need to do this ASAP as we will be getting our pink appt anyday.
How do we get a certified copy??
Thanks-
Shelly
In the first post you stated all that is needed now is a certified copy, this is why people is asking if it has to be stated. But you did say in your second post that it did not have to be certifications or authentications, so I guess the answer to this is no, but do check with our agencies.
Posted by: Tammy at March 13, 2006 08:46 PMIn reading the original post, which I didn't write myself, I think it may have gotten a term wrong. THIS IS ONLY MY OPINION, but I think it should have said notarized rather then certified. I suppose it is possible that the Embassy would want you to have the notarization certified. But I doubt that. Once again, only my opinion.
Sorry for any confusion...
Kevin
Guatadopt.com
we just came back last week. We brought 3 years and pay stubs and employment letters. All noterized we only needed the last year and didnot need letters or stubs
Posted by: karen at March 13, 2006 10:11 PMI have gone to the embassy Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday this week with several different families. We presented last year's federal income taxes without notarization and they were accepted. I asked about the "certification" required, and the embassy employees did not have a clear answer on exactly what will be needed. I asked if a notary would be sufficient and was told "I guess so". I also asked when this will go into effect and no one could give me an answer.
Posted by: Trisha at March 15, 2006 11:32 PMWe leave on Tuesday and have been told by our agency to take copies of our W2's for 2005 and the most recent federal income tax documents with a notarization. We are unclear if the W2's need to be notarized.
Posted by: Regina at March 16, 2006 04:46 PMKevin:
What are the minimum income requirements?
I don't see why W2's would need to be notarized as they are on an official form and issued by your employer.
I don't know what the min income requirements are. It used to be about 24K. I'm sure if you get the I864 form that it will have that info on it.
Kevin
Guatadopt.com