Affidavit of Support
You are helping someone financially and an institution wants that in writing, sworn, and notarized. We prepare the statement and keep it accurate.
Important: Clear Path Document Services is a non-attorney document preparation service and cannot provide legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created. Read full disclaimer
Quick Answer
An affidavit of support is a sworn statement in which one person documents the financial support they provide or will provide to another — commonly for a school or university, a landlord, a scholarship or benefits application, a consulate, or a family arrangement. It identifies the sponsor and the person supported, describes the relationship, states what support is provided and for how long, and is signed before a notary. Federal immigration sponsorship uses its own official USCIS forms with binding legal obligations, and a general affidavit of support is not a substitute for those. Clear Path prepares general support statements and will tell you plainly when your situation calls for an official federal form or an immigration attorney instead. We review every matter first, then send a written quote — nothing is purchased online.
Who qualifies for this service?
This document preparation service is a fit for Michigan residents who match the criteria below. If your situation is different, contact us and we'll tell you whether we can help or whether you should speak with an attorney.
- Parents supporting a student at a college or private school
- Family members housing and supporting a relative
- Sponsors documenting support for a visitor's application
- Adults supporting an elderly parent or a dependent relative
- Applicants needing sponsor documentation for housing or a scholarship
- Anyone asked for a notarized statement of financial responsibility
How the process works
Clear, predictable steps from intake to court-ready paperwork.
Send us the request
The written requirement from the school, landlord, agency, or consulate, plus who is supporting whom.
We review
We check whether an official form is required instead of a general affidavit.
Written quote
Flat preparation fee with notarization included. Nothing is purchased online.
Drafting
We prepare the statement with the relationship, support terms, and duration clearly stated.
Notarized signing
The sponsor appears with valid photo ID and swears to the statement.
Delivery
Signed originals with any financial exhibits attached and labeled.
Paperwork we organize for you
Document preparation only. We do not represent you in court.
Documents and information you'll need
- Valid, unexpired photo ID for the sponsor
- Full legal name, date of birth, and address of the person being supported
- The written requirement from the requesting institution
- Documentation of the sponsor's ability to provide support, if requested
- Proof of relationship, where the institution asks for it
- Student ID, application number, or case reference, if there is one
Common mistakes to avoid
Small errors can cost you weeks. Here's what we see most often.
- Assuming a general affidavit satisfies a federal immigration sponsorship requirement. It does not.
- Promising support you cannot actually provide — this is a sworn statement.
- No amounts or duration, leaving the reader with nothing to verify.
- Leaving out the relationship between the parties.
- No supporting financial documents attached when the requesting party asked for them.
- Not checking whether the receiving institution has its own required form.
Local Michigan considerations
Michigan notarization requires the sponsor to appear in person with valid identification and sign in the notary's presence. Where a document is going to another country — a consulate, a foreign school, or a foreign bank — it commonly needs authentication after notarization, and Michigan issues a Certificate of Authority (apostille) through the Secretary of State at a state fee of $1 per document, separate from our preparation fee. Federal immigration sponsorship runs on official USCIS forms with binding financial obligations; Clear Path is not a law firm and does not provide immigration legal advice.
Key Terms
- Sponsor
- The person committing to provide financial support in the affidavit.
- Affidavit of support
- A sworn statement describing financial support provided to another person.
- Apostille
- Authentication of a notarized document for use in another country; in Michigan it is issued by the Secretary of State.
- Exhibit
- A supporting document attached to and referenced in the affidavit.
People Also Ask
Reviewed and updated by the Clear Path document team. Informational only — not legal advice.
Ready to get your paperwork started?
Start the guided intake, or call or text us — we review every matter before quoting a price, and nothing is purchased online.