New Form I-864 Allows USCIS Credit Checks

As of August 31, 2026, U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents sponsoring certain immigrants for green cards must use a new edition of Form I-864, Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

The new form includes language allowing the federal government to obtain information from a sponsor’s consumer or credit-report file. It represents a significant change for families navigating the green card sponsorship process.

USCIS has confirmed that there is no grace period. Any Form I-864 postmarked or electronically submitted on or after August 31, 2026, must carry the edition date 08/24/26. USCIS will not accept the previous 10/17/24 edition for filings made on or after the new effective date. USCIS Form I-864 page

What Changed on Form I-864?

The new Form I-864 contains a consumer-report authorization in the sponsor’s certification and signature section.

By signing the form, the sponsor authorizes USCIS to request information from consumer-reporting agencies when needed to assess the sponsor’s financial circumstances and the sufficiency of the affidavit.

This means immigration authorities will no longer have to rely exclusively on the income documents, tax records, assets and employment information submitted with the application.

The authorization does not necessarily mean USCIS will pull a credit report in every case. It does, however, give the agency permission to access consumer-report information when conducting its review.

Credit Freezes Could Cause Delays

The new form includes a warning for sponsors who have placed a credit or security freeze on their consumer-report files.

USCIS says that a freeze may prevent the agency from accessing information needed to assess the sponsor’s financial circumstances. The agency advises sponsors to respond promptly if they are asked to release a freeze. USCIS Affidavit of Support guidance

Sponsors should check whether freezes are active with the three major credit bureaus:

• Equifax

• Experian

• TransUnion

USCIS does not explicitly instruct every sponsor to permanently remove a freeze before filing. Therefore, sponsors should not assume that they must leave their credit files continuously accessible.

However, they should be prepared to lift a freeze quickly if USCIS requests access.

Is There a Minimum Credit Score?

USCIS has not published a minimum credit score that a sponsor must meet.

There is no announced rule stating that sponsors need a score of 650, 700 or any other specific number to submit Form I-864. A low credit score by itself also does not automatically mean that the affidavit will be rejected.

The principal statutory requirement remains that the sponsor must normally demonstrate household income of at least 125% of the applicable Federal Poverty Guidelines. Active-duty members of the U.S. armed forces sponsoring a spouse or child may qualify under the 100% threshold.

Credit-report information may provide additional evidence about the sponsor’s financial circumstances, but USCIS has not published a definitive list stating that a particular bankruptcy, judgment, debt level or missed payment automatically disqualifies someone from serving as a sponsor.

Applicants should therefore be cautious about claims that USCIS has established a hidden credit-score cutoff.

Connection to Public-Charge Reviews

The change comes as USCIS revises its approach to public-charge inadmissibility determinations.

Public charge generally concerns whether an immigrant is likely to become primarily dependent on the government for support. The determination applies to the intending immigrant, not simply to the sponsor’s credit score.

For cases requiring Form I-864, USCIS considers whether the affidavit is properly completed and whether the sponsor has demonstrated sufficient income, assets or other qualifying financial resources. The affidavit is also a legally enforceable contract requiring the sponsor to provide financial support under specified circumstances.

USCIS announced that its updated public-charge guidance becomes effective September 18, 2026, and applies to covered adjustment-of-status applications postmarked on or after that date. USCIS public-charge announcement

Old and New Form I-864 Compared

Feature	Old edition: 10/17/24	New edition: 08/24/26
Status beginning August 31, 2026	Not accepted for new filings	Mandatory
Consumer-report authorization	Not included in the same form language	Included
Credit or security-freeze warning	Not included	Included
General income requirement	Usually 125% of the poverty guidelines	Usually 125% of the poverty guidelines
Sponsor’s legal obligation	Legally enforceable	Legally enforceable
Minimum credit score	None announced	None announced

What Sponsors Should Do Now

Before mailing or electronically submitting an Affidavit of Support, sponsors should:

1. Download a fresh copy directly from the USCIS website.

2. Confirm that “Edition 08/24/26” appears at the bottom of the form’s pages.

3. Read the new consumer-report authorization carefully before signing.

4. Determine whether a credit or security freeze is active.

5. Monitor USCIS notices and respond promptly to any request involving the freeze.

6. Continue submitting the required tax, income, employment and asset evidence.

7. Keep a complete copy of the signed affidavit and all supporting documents.

Using the wrong edition could result in rejection of the filing package, which may create delays and potentially cause problems involving filing deadlines or immigration status.

The Bottom Line

Starting August 31, 2026, the 08/24/26 edition of Form I-864 is mandatory, with no grace period for the previous version.

The new authorization gives USCIS access to a sponsor’s consumer-report information when necessary, but USCIS has not established a minimum credit score for immigration sponsors. Income eligibility and the overall sufficiency of the Affidavit of Support remain central to the review.

Because individual circumstances vary, sponsors with bankruptcy, substantial debt, credit freezes or complicated household-income arrangements should consider consulting a qualified immigration attorney before filing.

This article provides general information and is not a substitute for legal advice.