What is an I-864?

The I-864 is the affidavit of supportӔ which you can read more about on the instruction page for the document, which can be found here: [url]http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/files/I-864.pdf[/url] That is a PDF - so Adobe is required to view.

Thanks Brandy! I appreciate your help.

The I-864 is NOT needed if both spouses in a married couple, or a person adopting as a single, will be traveling to pick up the child, and the child has had a final adoption overseas. Sharon

We just had an overseas final adoption (both spouses traveled, too), but we had to provide an I-864 with supporting docs while at the Embassy in Haiti. The form is a pain to fill-out, but don't take a chance. You'd hate that form (and a copy of your taxes and paystub) to be the only thing keeping you from boarding a plane for home with your child.

Is this form required for adoption from DRC adopting as a single.

It's been a long time since I thought about that pesky form. My recollection is that you do not need it if you are adopting as a single, AND if you see the child before the issuance of a final decree of adoption overseas. In other words, you must meet the child in country and then go to court or to an administrative finalization, rather than meeting the child only after a final decree is issued or bringing the child home under a decree of guardianship rather than a decree of adoption. However, check with the USCIS or the US Embassy. Most of the time when I hear about the use of the form, it involves a two-parent family where only one spouse travels to meet the child and finalize the adoption. In particular, it usually involves a situation where, for example, the husband is the primary breadwinner, but the wife is the one traveling to meet the child and finalize the adoption. Some countries permit this and some don't. As an example, China will finalize an adoption even if only one spouse sees the child first and goes to the finalization. But since the U.S. government considers such an adoption not to be "full and final" -- the child must be readopted in the U.S. -- it wants an "affidavit of support" indicating that both spouses are committed to supporting the child and able to do so, before it will issue the child a visa. Sharon