Affidavit of Support


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Affidavit of support for Olav Kirk, 1947. 2008.037.012 - Gift of Leora Kirk.

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An affidavit of support is a document an individual signs to accept financial responsibility for another person, usually a relative, who is coming to the United States to live permanently.

Once established in America it was not uncommon for the immigrants to wish to bring over family members. Wives and children were considered the responsibility of the man of the house and as such needed no affidavit of support, however women traveling alone were detained at Ellis Island until a man or a husband could come to fetch them.

An affidavit of support would run until the supported obtained U.S. citizenship for himself.

Adult males being brought over needed an affidavit of support to show that they would not be a drain on public finances.

In this case Rasmus West promises to supports Olav Kirk and discloses his finances to show that he is capable of doing so.