Form 888 Australia: Requirements, How to Complete It and Examples

If you are applying for an Australian Partner or Prospective Marriage visa, you may be asked to provide Form 888, also known as the Supporting statement in relation to a Partner or Prospective Marriage visa application. It gives the Department of Home Affairs information about your relationship from the perspective of someone who knows you and your partner personally. Form 888 can be relevant to applications including the Prospective Marriage visa (subclass 300) and Partner visas such as subclass 309/100 and subclass 820/801.

The Department uses witness statements as part of its assessment of the social aspects of the claimed relationship. However, Form 888 is not a substitute for your complete relationship evidence. It is one piece of evidence that can help demonstrate that your relationship is genuine and continuing.

Current-form note: The August 2026 Form 888 is a supporting statement, rather than a statutory declaration. It does not include a requirement for JP witnessing or restrict the form to Australian citizens and permanent residents. Always download the latest version directly from the Department of Home Affairs. The current form is marked Design date 08/26.

If you have been asked to provide Form 888, this guide explains who can complete it, what evidence the witness should provide, how to answer the key questions, and how to upload the completed form through ImmiAccount.

What Is Form 888 and What Is Its Purpose?

Form 888 Australia is a supporting statement completed by someone who knows both the visa applicant and their partner or fiancé(e), as well as the history of their relationship. The purpose is relatively straightforward: the Department wants to understand how the relationship is viewed and experienced by people outside the couple.

For example, your witness might have:

• Met you and your partner at family gatherings.
• Seen you living together.
• Attended your wedding or engagement.
• Spent time with you as a couple.
• Seen how you support each other.
• Kept in regular contact with you while you were living apart.
• Met members of both families.
• Observed your plans to build a life together.

The current Form 888 specifically asks the witness to state whether they believe your relationship is genuine and continuing and explain the reasons for that belief. It also asks how the witness knows you and your partner and how frequently they have been in contact with you. This makes Form 888 particularly useful as third-party relationship evidence.

It does not, however, prove the entire relationship by itself. Your Partner visa application may also include evidence covering your financial, household, social and commitment aspects, along with other documents relevant to your particular visa. For example, the Department's Partner visa information identifies evidence about financial matters, household arrangements and social matters as relevant relationship evidence.

Which Visas Can Involve Form 888?

Form 888 can be used in connection with several partner-related visa applications, including:

• Prospective Marriage visa (subclass 300)
• Partner (Provisional) visa (subclass 309)
• Partner (Migrant) visa (subclass 100)
• Partner (Temporary) visa (subclass 820)
• Partner (Permanent) visa (subclass 801)

For example, the Department's subclass 300 guidance specifically refers to witness statements completed using Form 888, while its Partner visa information also refers to Form 888 for social relationship evidence.

Who Can Complete Form 888?

One of the most important points to understand is who can complete Form 888. Under the current August 2026 form, the supporting witness must:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Know the visa applicant.
• Know the applicant's partner or fiancé(e).
• Know the history of the couple's relationship.

The current form does not say that every witness must be an Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident. This is an important distinction because you may find older online advice stating that only Australian citizens or permanent residents can complete Form 888. That should not automatically be treated as a requirement for the current form.

The form does say that the witness must provide documentary evidence of their current name and age and, where applicable, evidence of Australian citizenship or Australian permanent residency. Examples given by the Department include a birth certificate, Australian passport or passport containing a permanent visa.

Can a Family Member Complete Form 888?

Yes. A family member can be a suitable Form 888 witness if they meet the requirements and genuinely know both you and your partner or fiancé(e). A parent, sibling, cousin, aunt, uncle, or another relative may be appropriate if they have genuine personal knowledge of your relationship.

A close friend or colleague can also be suitable. The key question is not how impressive the witness's occupation or immigration status looks. It is whether that person can provide credible, first-hand information about your relationship.

Form 888 Requirements and Documents

Before your witness starts completing the form, it is useful to have the necessary information and documents ready. The witness should prepare:

• Their full current name,
• Residential address,
• Contact details,
• Evidence of their identity,
• Evidence of their age,
• Evidence of Australian citizenship or permanent residency, where applicable,
• Your full name,
• Your partner's or fiancé(e)'s full name,
• Information about how long they have known each of you,
• Details about how they know you as a couple,
• Examples of their personal observations,
• Any additional information they believe supports the application.

The current form specifically includes the witness's personal and contact details, information about the applicant and partner, relationship questions, an identity-evidence question, a signature and date field.

What Can be Used as Identity Evidence?

The exact document will depend on the witness's circumstances. The Department gives examples including:

• Birth certificate.
• Australian passport.
• Passport containing a permanent visa.

For an overseas witness, an appropriate identity document such as a foreign passport may be relevant, subject to the requirements applying to the application and document. The important point is that the witness should provide the documentary evidence requested by the current form rather than assuming that a particular document will always be sufficient.

How to Fill Form 888: Step by Step

The current Form 888 is relatively short, but the quality of the answers matters.

1. Complete the witness's personal and contact details

The first section asks for the witness's:

• Family name.
• Given names.
• Residential address.
• Postcode.
• Telephone details.
• Email address.

The Department states that it prefers electronic communication and provides an email field for the supporting witness. Make sure these details are current.

2. Provide the Applicant's Details

Question 1 asks for the visa applicant's name and how long the witness has known them. The answer should be accurate. If the witness has known the applicant since a particular date(Month and year), they should give the relevant period rather than guessing.

3. Provide the Partner or Fiancé(e)'s Details

Question 2 asks for the applicant's partner or fiancé(e)'s name and how long the witness has known that person. This is important because the witness needs to demonstrate knowledge of both people, not just the applicant.

Form 888 Question 3: How You Know the Couple

Question 3 asks: How do you know the applicant and the applicant's partner or fiancé(e), and how often have you been in contact with them? This is more than a question about friendship. The witness should explain how the relationship developed from their perspective. A useful answer might cover:

• When they first met the applicant,
• When they first met the partner
• How they came to know the couple,
• How frequently they communicate,
• Whether they see the couple in person,
• Whether they communicate by telephone or online.
• Whether they have attended family or social events together.
• How long they have observed the relationship.

For example, if the witness is the applicant's sister, they could explain when they first met the partner, how often they see them, and what occasions they have spent together. If the witness lives overseas, they can explain how they maintain contact, including video calls, phone calls, or social media, provided those details are genuinely based on their experience. The current form explicitly asks about how the witness knows the applicant and partner and how often they have been in contact.

Form 888 Question 4: Genuine and Continuing Relationship

This is usually the most important part of the supporting statement. Question 4 asks the witness to state whether they believe the relationship is genuine and continuing and to give the reasons for that belief. A weak answer might simply say: "I believe they love each other and have a genuine relationship."

There is nothing inherently wrong with the sentiment, but it gives the Department very little information. A stronger statement explains why the witness has reached that conclusion. The witness should focus on things they have personally seen, heard, or experienced. Depending on their circumstances, relevant examples might include:

Shared Household

If the witness has visited the couple's home, they could describe what they personally observed about their shared domestic life.

Social Life

The witness might explain how the couple presents themselves as partners to friends, relatives, and the wider community.

Important Events

A witness could describe attending:

• A wedding.
• Engagement celebration.
• Birthday.
• Family gathering.
• Holiday.
• Religious or cultural event.
• Other important occasion.

Support During Difficult Periods

If the witness personally observed one partner supporting the other during illness, family difficulties, work problems, or another challenging period, that can provide useful context.

Family Relationships

The witness may explain how the couple interacts with each other's families, provided the information comes from personal knowledge.

Future Plans

A witness can discuss plans they have personally heard the couple talk about, such as living arrangements, marriage, children, or other long-term commitments.

Shared Responsibilities or Finances

Where the witness has genuinely observed these matters, they may provide relevant information about how the couple manages their life together. Remember, the witness does not need to prove every aspect of your relationship. Their job is to explain what they know.

Form 888 Example Answers

Examples can help you understand the level of detail expected, but your witnesses should never copy an example word for word. Every Form 888 should reflect the witness's own experience.

Question 3 example

Example only: I have known [Applicant's name] since [Month and year] because we worked together at [workplace]. I first met [Partner's name] in [Month and year] when [Applicant's name] introduced us at [specific event]. Since then, I have regularly spent time with them together. We usually communicate [frequency] and have seen each other at [specific events].

I have also spoken with them by phone and online when they have been living apart. This works because it identifies the relationship between the witness and both members of the couple, rather than describing only one person.

Question 4 example

Example only: I believe the relationship between [Applicant's name] and [Partner's name] is genuine and continuing because I have personally seen them together on many occasions since [Month and year]. For example, I attended [specific event personally witnessed] in [Month and year], where I observed how they supported each other and interacted with both families.

I have also visited their home and seen how they share their daily responsibilities. From my interactions with them, I have seen that they make decisions together and discuss their plans for their future. Notice that the example gives reasons and observations rather than simply concluding.

Other matters example

Example only: One other matter I believe is relevant is the way [Applicant's name] and [Partner's name] have maintained their relationship while living apart. I have personally seen them remain in regular contact through [phone/video calls/other genuine form of communication]. I have also spoken with both of them about their plans to [specific future plan].

Based on what I have personally observed, I believe they are committed to building their life together. These are structures, not scripts. Your witness should use their own words, memories, and personal anecdotes. The Department may contact a witness for further comments or an interview, so copied or exaggerated statements can create unnecessary problems.

Does Form 888 Need to Be Witnessed or Certified?

This is an area where you need to be careful because older information online can conflict with the current form. The August 2026 Form 888 is described as a supporting statement. It contains a signature and date section, but it does not contain a section requiring a Justice of the Peace (JP), authorised witness or other person to witness the signature. It also does not instruct the witness to have the Form 888 itself certified. Therefore, you should not automatically follow older online instructions saying that Form 888 must be:

• A statutory declaration,
• Witnessed by a JP,
• Signed in front of an authorised witness,
• Certified by a commissioner for declarations,

Those requirements may relate to older versions or other documents used in Australian immigration applications. The current form should be your starting point. This does not mean that documentary evidence attached to an application can never have certification or translation requirements. Those requirements can depend on the particular document and application. The important distinction is that you should not confuse requirements for supporting documents with a requirement to have the current Form 888 itself witnessed.

How Many Form 888s Are Required?

You may see websites saying that you need exactly two Form 888 statements. Be careful with this because the answer can depend on the visa and the Department's current requirements. The August 2026 Form 888 itself says you may be asked to submit up to three separate statements during processing.

At the same time, individual visa guidance can specify witness-statement requirements. For example, the Department's current subclass 300 guidance says applicants must provide statements from two witnesses who are at least 18, know the applicant and prospective spouse, and know about their relationship.

So, rather than relying on a generic rule such as "everyone needs two Form 888s," check the requirements applicable to your specific visa application and the document checklist in ImmiAccount. If you provide multiple witnesses, avoid submitting several nearly identical statements. A relative might provide insight into your family life, while a friend or colleague might describe your social life. Different perspectives can be more useful than repetition.

How to Choose a Strong Form 888 Witness

The strongest Form 888 witness is not necessarily a person with a prestigious job, professional title, or particular immigration status. Look for someone who:

• Knows you personally.
• Knows your partner personally.
• Understands your relationship history.
• Has spent time with you as a couple.
• Can provide specific examples.
• Can explain how frequently they have contact with you.
• Is comfortable answering questions honestly if contacted by the Department.

A balanced approach might involve a relative who has observed your relationship within the family and a close friend who has seen you together socially. The goal is credible personal knowledge, not impressive paperwork.

Common Form 888 Mistakes to Avoid

Before submitting a supporting statement, check for these common problems:

• Using an old version of the form. Always check the current Department version. Calling the current form a statutory declaration. The August 2026 form is a supporting statement.
• Assuming only Australian citizens or permanent residents qualify. The current eligibility wording does not impose that blanket restriction.
• Giving vague answers. Explain what the witness personally knows.
• Discussing only one partner. Question 3 concerns both the applicant and partner or fiancé(e).
• Copying identical statements. Each witness should write independently.
• Inventing or exaggerating events. Only provide truthful information.
• Using inconsistent names or dates. Check the details carefully.
• Forgetting identity evidence. The current form requires documentary evidence from the witness.
• Forgetting the signature or date. Check the final page before uploading.
• Uploading an incomplete or unreadable document. Make sure every page and attachment is clear.

Most importantly, do not try to make the relationship sound "perfect." A credible statement is based on truthful observations rather than carefully manufactured language.

Can Someone Outside Australia Complete Form 888?

Yes, an overseas witness may be able to complete Form 888 if they meet the current requirements. The August 2026 form requires the witness to be at least 18 and to know the applicant, their partner or fiancé(e), and the history of their relationship. It does not state that the witness must live in Australia.

This can be particularly relevant where your close family members or friends remain overseas. For example, a relative overseas might have known both of you for several years and regularly communicated with you while you were living in different countries.

The witness should still provide appropriate identity evidence and answer the questions based on their genuine personal knowledge. Do not choose an overseas witness simply because they are willing to provide a statement. Choose someone who can genuinely explain the relationship from their own perspective.

How to Submit Form 888 Through ImmiAccount

Once the witness has completed the statement, the visa applicant or their appointed representative can attach the form to the Partner or Prospective Marriage visa application through ImmiAccount. AussieMigrate can assist with preparing supporting documents, completing application forms, and guiding you through the submission process. Before uploading it, work through this checklist:

• Use the latest Form 888.
• Complete the form in English.
• Check all names and dates.
• Answer every applicable question.
• Attach additional pages if more space is needed.
• Include the witness's identity evidence.
• Sign and date the form.
• Scan all pages clearly.
• Upload the complete document to the correct application.
• Keep a copy of the completed Form 888 and attachments.

The Department also advises keeping a copy of the statement and all attachments for your records. If the Department asks for additional information during processing, follow the instructions provided through the appropriate channel and your ImmiAccount.

False or Misleading Information on Form 888

Form 888 is not something your witness should treat casually. The current form contains a clear warning that providing false or misleading information is a serious offence. It states that the Migration Act 1958 provides penalties of up to 10 years' imprisonment, a fine of AUD313,000, or both for false or misleading statements.

The witness also signs a declaration that they believe the statements in the form are true. The Department may contact the witness for further comments or an interview about the information provided. That is why a good supporting statement should be:

• Truthful,
• Specific,
• Personal,
• Consistent.

You should never ask a witness to exaggerate how often they see you, invent an event they did not attend, or claim knowledge they do not have.

Get Your Form 888 Evidence Right

A well-prepared Form 888 partner visa supporting statement can add valuable third-party evidence to your application by showing how people who know you view your relationship. The strongest statements are not necessarily the longest. They are the ones that clearly explain:

• Who the witness is,
• How they know both partners,
• how often they have contact with the couple, and
• What they have personally observed that leads them to believe the relationship is genuine and continuing.

If you are preparing a Partner or Prospective Marriage visa application, pay particular attention to using the current August 2026 form rather than relying on older Form 888 examples or instructions found online. The Department's current form is the authoritative source for its requirements, and your individual visa application may have additional document requirements.

For professional assistance with your Australian immigration application, AussieMigrate can help you understand the evidence relevant to your circumstances and prepare your application carefully before submission. Important: Immigration requirements can change. This article provides general information and should not be treated as legal advice. Always check the latest information and forms published by the Australian Department of Home Affairs before submitting your application.

Frequently Asked Questions About Form 888

What is Form 888 Used for?

Form 888 provides third-party information about the social aspects of your relationship for a Partner or Prospective Marriage visa application. It supports your wider relationship evidence but does not prove the entire relationship by itself.

Who Can Complete Form 888?

A person who is at least 18 and knows both the visa applicant and their partner or fiancé(e), including the history of their relationship, can complete the form under the current requirements.

Can a Family Member Complete Form 888?

Yes. A family member can provide a supporting statement if they genuinely know both partners and can give truthful, personal information about the relationship.

Can Someone Living Outside Australia Complete Form 888?

The current form does not restrict witnesses to people living in Australia. An overseas witness can potentially complete it if they meet the age and personal-knowledge requirements and provide appropriate identity evidence.

Must the Witness be an Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident?

No blanket requirement of this kind appears in the August 2026 Form 888. The form asks for evidence of Australian citizenship or permanent residency where applicable.

Does Form 888 Need to be Certified or Witnessed by a JP?

The August 2026 Form 888 does not instruct the witness to have the supporting statement witnessed by a JP or authorised witness. It contains a signature and date field instead.

How Many Form 888 Statements do You Need?

The answer depends on your visa and current application requirements. The August 2026 form says you may be asked for up to three separate statements, while specific visa guidance can set its own requirements. For example, the current subclass 300 page refers to statements from two witnesses.