On August 31, 2026, USCIS published a mandatory new edition of Form I-864, Affidavit of Support, with immediate effect and no transition window. The new 08/24/26 edition replaces the prior version with no grace period, meaning any AOS filer or family-based sponsorship attorney who submits the old 10/17/24 edition from September 1 onward faces outright case rejection.
What changed
USCIS will accept the 08/24/26 edition if it is postmarked or electronically submitted on or after August 31, 2026, and will not process or accept the 10/17/24 edition if postmarked or electronically submitted on or after August 31, 2026. The new edition is not optional and there is no grace period to transition from the old form.
The most significant substantive change: the 08/24/26 edition includes a privacy release that authorizes USCIS to request information from one or more consumer reporting agencies. This means sponsors must now explicitly consent to credit checks at the time of filing. Related Forms I-864A and I-864EZ were also updated on the same date.
Why it matters
For AOS filers: if your I-485 packet is currently in preparation or about to be mailed, you must use the 08/24/26 edition. Printing and submitting the 10/17/24 edition after August 31 will trigger a Notice of Intent to Deny or outright rejection without further opportunity to cure the form edition defect.
For practitioners: this is a trap for filers who printed the old form “just in case” or who are working with outdated templates. The credit-report authorization also has practical enforcement implications — the authorization expires once the underlying application is approved, refused, or the affidavit is properly withdrawn, so it is not an ongoing collection tool once sponsorship ends or the green card is approved.
For sponsors who previously executed the 10/17/24 or earlier editions: your support obligation does not change and is still enforceable. The edition of the form your sponsor signed does not matter; every edition contains the same core support promises, and obligations arise under federal statute.
Way forward
- Confirm the edition date now. Before printing or e-filing any new I-864, check the bottom of the form page to verify it says “08/24/26.”
- Discard old inventory. If you have printed copies of the 10/17/24 edition, do not use them after August 31, 2026.
- Brief your clients on credit consent. Sponsors should understand that the new form explicitly permits USCIS and the State Department to access credit reports and scores during adjudication.
- Unfreeze credit if needed. If a sponsor has placed a credit freeze or security freeze on their report, they may need to temporarily lift it to allow USCIS to pull credit information.
Disclaimer
This article is not legal advice. It is an educational summary of a USCIS policy announcement. Fola Form is a software company, not a law firm. Always consult a licensed immigration attorney for advice on your specific case. Immigration policy can change without notice. Verify all information against the authoritative source linked above before relying on it for filing decisions.