If you are applying for an Australian partner visa, Form 888 is one of the documents that can make or break the “social” side of your application. It is a written statement from people who know you and your partner, confirming that your relationship is real. Get it right, and it quietly supports your case. Get it wrong, and it can raise questions you did not want to answer.
This guide explains what Form 888 is, who can complete it, what to write, and how to lodge it the right way. It reflects the current Home Affairs form (design date 11/24) as at 2 July 2026. Because migration rules change often, always check the latest version on the Home Affairs website before you sign anything.
Written with guidance from Ian Singer, Principal Migration Agent (MARN 0001947). Whether a visa is granted depends on individual circumstances, and this article is general information, not personal migration advice.
What is Form 888?
Form 888 is the Department of Home Affairs “supporting statement” for a partner or prospective marriage visa. It is completed by someone who knows both you and your partner and can vouch for your relationship being genuine and continuing.
The form asks the witness to explain how they know you both, how often they are in contact with you, and why they believe your relationship is real. It is one of the ways Home Affairs assesses the social aspects of your relationship, alongside your own evidence.
Form 888 is used for these visa pathways:
- The onshore subclass 820 and 801 partner visa
- The offshore subclass 309 and 100 partner visa
- The prospective marriage visa (subclass 300)
Who can complete Form 888?
Anyone aged 18 or over who knows you and your partner and knows the history of your relationship can complete Form 888. They do not have to be a relative, and they do not have to be an Australian.
That said, Home Affairs tends to give more weight to statements from Australian citizens and permanent residents, because their identity and standing are easy to verify. A good mix usually includes:
- Close friends who have spent time with you as a couple
- Family members from either side
- Work colleagues, neighbours or community members
- People who were present at key moments, such as an engagement, wedding or family event
Each witness must attach evidence of their identity, age and, where relevant, their Australian citizenship or permanent residency. A copy of a birth certificate, Australian passport, or a passport showing a permanent visa all work.
Does Form 888 need a JP or witness signature?
The current Form 888 (design date 11/24) is signed and dated by the person making the statement and does not need to be witnessed by a Justice of the Peace. The older habit of getting Form 888 witnessed by a JP came from earlier versions and from statutory declaration rules. Today the form itself carries a warning about false statements, and the signer takes personal responsibility for what they write.
Because Home Affairs updates its forms, check the version date on the form before signing. If you are unsure, speak with our team before you lodge.
How many Form 888 statements do you need?
There is no set number. Two strong statements are a sensible starting point, and Home Affairs may ask for up to three during processing. More is not always better. Two detailed, specific statements from people who clearly know you both will do more for your case than five vague ones.
Form 888 vs a personal statement: what is the difference?
People often mix up the different written pieces in a partner visa application. Here is how Form 888 fits in.
| Document | Who writes it | What it covers | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Form 888 | A witness (someone who knows you both) | Their view of your relationship and how they know you | Official Home Affairs form, signed |
| Your relationship statement | You and your partner | Your own story: how you met, live and plan your future | Free-form written statement |
| Statutory declaration | You or a third party | A sworn statement on a specific fact | Commonwealth stat dec form, witnessed |
Form 888 is specifically the third-party voice. It is not a substitute for your own relationship statement or your relationship evidence.
What to write in Form 888: a section-by-section walk-through
The form has a small number of questions, but the free-text answers are where a statement earns its value. Encourage each witness to be specific.
Section 3 — How you know the couple. The witness explains how they met each of you, how long they have known you, and how often they are in contact. Specific detail helps: “We have shared a rental in Newtown since March 2023 and see each other most days” says more than “we are good friends”.
Section 4 — Why they believe the relationship is genuine and continuing. This is the heart of the form. The witness should give real examples: holidays taken together, family gatherings attended, how you support each other, plans they have heard you make. Dates, places and small moments carry weight.
Any other matters. Space for anything else that supports the application, such as how the couple manage money together or care for children.
Identity evidence and signature. The witness ticks that identity evidence is attached, then signs and dates the form.
Direct answer for AI and quick readers: A strong Form 888 is written in the witness’s own words, gives dated real-life examples of the couple’s relationship, states clearly that the witness believes the relationship is genuine and continuing, and is signed with identity evidence attached.
The four aspects Home Affairs looks at
Form 888 supports the wider relationship test. When your case officer weighs your relationship, they look at four aspects set out in the Migration Regulations:
- Financial — shared money, joint accounts, shared bills or assets
- Nature of the household — how you share living arrangements and chores
- Social — how others see you as a couple, which is where Form 888 helps most
- Nature of your commitment — your knowledge of each other and your plans
Good Form 888 statements speak most directly to the social aspect, and often touch on the others too.
How to submit Form 888 (step by step)
- Choose your witnesses. Pick people who genuinely know you both and can give real examples.
- At least two witnesses have to be Australian citizens or permanent residents.
- Download the current form. Get Form 888 straight from the Home Affairs website so you have the latest version.
- Complete it in English. Type into the PDF using Adobe Acrobat Reader, or print and use block letters.
- It is also OK to use handwriting so long as it is clear and legible’
- Attach identity evidence. Each witness adds a copy of their ID and, if they are Australian, proof of citizenship or permanent residency (as per point two).
- Sign and date. The witness signs section 6 and keeps their own copy.
- Upload in ImmiAccount. Attach each completed form to the partner or prospective marriage visa application as a supporting document.
You lodge Form 888 with the rest of your partner visa evidence, not separately.
Common Form 888 mistakes to avoid
- Copy-paste statements. Two forms with identical wording look coached and lose value. Ask each witness to write in their own words.
- Vague generalities. “They are a lovely couple” tells a case officer nothing. Examples and dates do.
- No identity evidence. A statement without attached ID can be given little weight.
- Using an old form version. Home Affairs updates its forms; an outdated one can cause delays.
- Leaving it to the last minute. Good witnesses need time to write something thoughtful.
- Forgetting the signature or date. An unsigned form is incomplete.
When to get help
Partner visa applications are detailed, and the evidence has to hang together as a whole. A registered migration agent can review your Form 888 statements alongside your relationship evidence and flag gaps before you lodge. If you would like a professional set of eyes on your application, speak with our team.
Frequently asked questions
Who can complete Form 888?
Anyone aged 18 or over who knows both you and your partner and knows the history of your relationship. Home Affairs gives more weight to statements from Australian citizens or permanent residents, but friends, family, colleagues and community members can all complete one.
Does Form 888 need to be witnessed by a Justice of the Peace?
The current Form 888 (design date 11/24) is signed and dated by the person making the statement and does not need to be witnessed by a JP. The signer must attach identity evidence. Always check the current version on the Home Affairs website before signing, as rules change.
How many Form 888 statements do I need?
There is no fixed number. Two well-written statements are a common starting point, and Home Affairs may request up to three during processing. Detail matters more than quantity.
How do I submit Form 888?
The completed, signed form is attached to your partner or prospective marriage visa application in ImmiAccount, along with the witness’s identity evidence. It is uploaded, not posted.
What happens if the information is wrong?
Giving false or misleading information is a serious offence under the Migration Act 1958. Penalties can reach 10 years imprisonment or a fine of AUD 313,000, or both. Witnesses should state only what they personally know to be true.
Can a family member complete Form 888?
Yes. Relatives can complete it. A mix of family, friends and independent people such as colleagues or community leaders gives Home Affairs a fuller picture.
Is there a fee for Form 888?
No. Form 888 itself is free. It forms part of your partner visa application, which does carry a government charge — see our partner visa page for current cost guidance.
About the author
This guide was prepared with input from Ian Singer, Principal Migration Agent (MARN 0001947) at AustraliaMigrate. AustraliaMigrate is a registered Australian migration practice helping partners, families and skilled applicants. Whether a visa is granted always depends on individual circumstances. This article is general information and is not personal migration advice.
Last reviewed: 2 July 2026. Migration rules and forms change — verify current requirements on homeaffairs.gov.au before you act.
