Form 888 is how the people who know you both tell Home Affairs about your relationship. Home Affairs must consider the social aspects of a claimed relationship, and the form says it uses these statements, among other things, to assess them. This guide quotes the current form and the Home Affairs partner visa pages, checked on 2026-09-29.
Who can complete Form 888
The form sets two conditions. The person must:
- know the visa applicant and their partner or fiancé(e), and the history of their relationship
- be at least 18 years of age.
That is the whole list. The form does not require the person to be an Australian citizen or permanent resident. It asks for documentary evidence of their current name and age and, where applicable, their Australian citizenship or permanent residency, such as a birth certificate, an Australian passport or a passport containing a permanent visa. The Home Affairs partner visa pages say the same: if the witness is an Australian citizen or permanent resident, provide evidence of it.
How many statements you need
- The partner visa (820) and Prospective Marriage visa (300) pages say you must provide statements from 2 witnesses who are 18 or older, know you and your partner, and know about your relationship.
- The form warns that you may be asked to submit up to 3 separate statements during processing.
- Home Affairs may contact the people who made the statements for further comment or an interview.
A supporting statement, not a statutory declaration
The current form is titled "Supporting statement". It has no field for a Justice of the Peace or other authorised witness. The person signs a declaration that they understand it is an offence under section 234(1)(b) of the Migration Act 1958 to make a false statement in connection with a visa application, and that they believe the statements in the form are true in every particular. The form warns that the penalty for false or misleading statements is 10 years' imprisonment, a fine of A$313,000, or both.
When a statutory declaration is required instead
One group must provide something different. If you apply for the onshore partner visa (820/801) without holding a substantive visa, the 820 page says you must include at least 2 statutory declarations, each made within the last 6 weeks by an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen, confirming that you and your sponsor are in a married or de facto relationship. You also provide evidence of each declarant's status; a driver's licence or Medicare card is not enough. The page says Form 888 is not a statutory declaration, that current and previous versions of Form 888 do not meet this requirement, and that an application without this information may be deemed invalid.
What to collect from each person
- Item
- The completed form
- What the form asks for
- Form 888 (design date 08/26), completed in English, typed or handwritten in block letters, signed and dated by the person making the statement
- Item
- Identity
- What the form asks for
- Documentary evidence of their current name and age
- Item
- Citizenship or permanent residency
- What the form asks for
- Only where it applies: for example an Australian passport, a birth certificate or a passport containing a permanent visa
- Item
- Contact details
- What the form asks for
- Address and phone number, and an email address if they agree to electronic contact. Home Affairs may contact them.
- Item
- Extra pages
- What the form asks for
- Attached where the form's space is not enough
The statement is the witness's own account. The form asks how they know each of you and how often they are in contact, whether they believe the relationship is genuine and continuing and why, and anything else they wish to add. Once it is complete, the applicant or their appointed representative attaches it to the application in ImmiAccount. The form advises the witness to keep a copy.
Where Form 888 fits in the evidence
Form 888 covers the social side of the relationship. The 820 page groups relationship evidence into four areas:
- Finances: evidence you share financial matters, such as joint mortgage or lease documents, joint loans for major assets, joint bank account statements and household bills in both names.
- Your household: evidence you share domestic matters, such as a statement about how you share housework, bills in both names, mail addressed to you both and documents about your living arrangements.
- Social matters: the two witness statements, plus evidence such as joint invitations, friends in common, joint activities, travel together, and proof you have told government, public or commercial bodies about the relationship.
- Commitment: evidence you know each other's background and family situation, have combined your personal matters, stay in touch when apart, and are not related by family. The terms of your wills can also be provided.
Frequently asked questions
Who can be a witness for Form 888?
Someone who is at least 18 and knows the visa applicant, their partner or fiancé(e), and the history of their relationship. Those are the only two conditions on the current form (design date 08/26).
Does a Form 888 witness have to be an Australian citizen or permanent resident?
No. The current form asks for evidence of Australian citizenship or permanent residency only where it applies. The exception is the separate statutory declaration requirement for onshore 820/801 applicants who do not hold a substantive visa, where declarants must be Australian citizens, permanent residents or eligible New Zealand citizens.
How many Form 888 statements do I need?
The Home Affairs partner and Prospective Marriage visa pages say statements from 2 witnesses. The form warns you may be asked for up to 3 separate statements during processing.
Does Form 888 need to be signed by a JP?
No. The current form is a supporting statement, not a statutory declaration, and has no field for a Justice of the Peace or other authorised witness. The person signs a declaration under section 234(1)(b) of the Migration Act 1958.
Can a family member complete Form 888?
The form's conditions are that the person knows you both and your relationship history and is at least 18. It does not exclude family members.
Can someone overseas complete Form 888?
The form does not require the person to live in Australia. It asks for evidence of their name and age, and of Australian citizenship or permanent residency only where that applies.
