Affidavit Worry

By Debbie McGoldrick

“I CO-signed an affidavit of support for my nephew, who married a U.S. citizen two years ago. I did it without really thinking, and I’ve been told that I shouldn’t have. Is it a legally binding document?”

IT definitely is. Affidavits of support must be provided in virtually all cases of family-related immigration to the U.S. The signer (or co-signer) is saying that he or she will take financial responsibility for the permanent resident, so as the U.S. government won’t be burdened.

Clearly your nephew’s wife wasn’t able to fulfill the financial guidelines attached to affidavits, so she asked you to co-sign. The document is binding for 10 years, or until the green card holder becomes a U.S. citizen.

As long as your nephew is able to provide for himself, you won’t have to worry about the affidavit being enforced.