An I-751 affidavit of friends is a signed letter from someone who knows a married couple well and can describe how they live every day. It gives USCIS a personal view of the marriage, next to the other evidence in the green card application. Create a printable affidavit form below, add real details, and sign it.
Last Updated: October 2026. This guide is reviewed and updated regularly to reflect current law. If you notice an error or outdated information, please contact us.
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U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) requires Form I-751 (you can find instructions for it here), and as support for this form, you can provide an immigration letter of support. In fact, this is a written statement of people who know the couple about the sincerity of the connection within this marriage.
Sometimes international marriages are concluded to obtain citizenship, and this is what USCIS wants to stop. Affidavit of bona fide marriage is not a required record, but many attorneys will advise you to fill it out as it serves as an additional point in your favor.
It is critical to remember that these letters are not proof of good faith marriage. Rather, they are testimonies. The best proof will be the presence of children in marriage or a joint bank account. Nevertheless, a good faith marriage affidavit letter is a good midpoint to avoid interviewing by USCIS and making the process less painful.
Evidence that can sit next to the letter:
While the submission of this paper is completely voluntary, many attorneys highly recommend that it be included in the USCIS package. The letter will be especially helpful if other certificates of good faith in the marriage are not very convincing for the Service. While the best examples of an honest marriage are joint retirement plans, insurances, bank accounts, and, of course, having children, well-drafted affidavits also carry weight.
For many pairs, it will also be a plus that most often, the Service does not invite those who have submitted a letter in support of I-751 for an interview.
The author of this type of document is called affiant. There is only one requirement for the person drafting this letter. They should know the pair well and be aware of the details of their relationship. Typically, these people are:
There is not even a requirement that the author must be a US citizen. Although living close to the couple and frequent meetings with them will be a plus since this indicates closer and more frequent meetings.
It is good if the writer knew the couple before the wedding and saw the development of their relationship. In the letter, the affiant will need to share their observations and opinions on why they think that a sincere relationship takes place in this marriage.
As a reminder, perjury is prohibited. Immigration Services can also call the author of the letter for an interview, so they should be extremely honest in their testimony.
Everyone understands that one cannot say that someone’s love will last forever, but it is crucial to point out that spouses are in love and have intentions to stay in a couple. Of course, all of this should only be based on personal observation.
Affidavit of bona fide marriage does not have a strictly binding form. The testimony must be recorded in writing and be in English (or a certified translation into English). Notarization is also not required but recommended.
If possible, it is better to certify the authenticity of the document. And be sure to verify the authenticity of the words by inserting a sworn statement (“I swear, under penalty of perjury, that the foregoing is true and correct to the best of my knowledge”).
A competent letter that the service can accept for consideration should contain:
You should indicate how you met the couple, how long you have known them, how often you spend time together, and how many common friends you have. That is everything that will show that you are closely acquainted and can know about the relationship within the couple. If your family goes to barbecues every Sunday, be sure to mention this.
The more personal the letter, the better. Specific examples should be given in which relationships within this family are visible.
Some limit themselves to writing that they have known the couple for a long time and believe in their love. This is not enough. This will not provide any further information for the immigration office.
The immigration office should see through concrete examples that the couple has a common life and plans together. They do love detailed stories about meetings with a couple or about their vacation. If you have such details, be sure to include them in the letter.
Write only about what you have seen or heard yourself. Keep a signed copy of the letter before you hand over the original.
A good letter sounds like you. Below is a short example with made-up names. Change every detail to match what you have really seen, and keep the tone natural and honest.
I have known Anna and Daniel Baker for six years. We met at a neighborhood cookout in 2019, and now we see each other nearly every weekend. Last summer I helped them paint their first apartment, and they talked all day about the trip they plan to take to visit Daniel's parents. They finish each other's sentences, and they clearly care for one another.
Not all marriages are permanent. Even if the couple had sincere love, the relationship is work, and not everyone succeeds in it. If the couple was married with the best of intentions, but later the marriage was dissolved, the resident must file I-751 with a waiver regardless of whether there was a divorce or the death of a spouse.
But even in the event of a breakup, you can also file a USCIS affidavit. This will confirm the good intentions of the marriage, although it did not end happily. It might be a little more difficult to do this. It is necessary to show in the letter that between the couple, there were real feelings and a desire to spend life together, and not a desire to receive a green card.
Details that can show a shared life in the letter:
It is worth mentioning that in such circumstances, it is best to contact an attorney for advice. USCIS checks letters and documents submitted in such situations more scrupulously and thoroughly.
A quick review helps the letter stand next to the rest of the evidence in the green card application. Read it once more with the couple's paperwork in front of you, then go through this list.
The letter works best as one piece of the evidence in a green card application, not as a replacement for documents. It adds a human voice to records such as leases, photos and bills, and it explains the everyday context behind them in plain words.
Before writing, ask the pair which evidence they already plan to include, so your stories support it instead of repeating it. If their photos show a trip, you might describe what they said and did during that trip.
Love has no boundaries, but it must have a documentary basis. A letter of support for Form I-751 will help you prove the good intentions and honesty of your relationship. Find someone who knows you and your spouse well and ask them to write this letter. We are sure you will not be denied.
Providing such a letter can save you a lot of time, nerves and even money. Indeed, in its absence, the service will call you for interviews, which do not always pass quickly.
If you need further advice, we strongly recommend contacting the attorney.
Relatives, friends, neighbors and religious leaders often write one. Pick someone who knows the couple well and has seen their relationship over time, ideally someone who also knew them before the wedding.
Personal stories do. Say how you met the couple, how long you have known them and how often you see them. Add one or two specific moments, such as a family barbecue or a trip you shared.
Yes. Answer a few questions on this page to build the letter online, then save your progress and finish on any device. You can also download the PDF and fill it in with the PDF editor, or print it and write by hand.
Begin with your full name, your address and your connection to the pair, then describe your memories in chronological order. Close with your signature and the date of signing.
No. The FormsPal template asks straightforward questions and places your answers in a ready document. Add your own stories and small observations so the final text sounds natural and reads as a genuine account of their marriage.
Leave out anything that weakens an honest account:
Honest, specific observations demonstrate familiarity far better than general praise.
Keep a signed copy for your records. Give the original to the couple so they can add it to their I-751 package.
General information, not legal or tax advice.
