888 Immigration Form – Fill Out and Use This PDF

What Is Form 888 and How to Complete It

Form 888, officially titled the Statutory Declaration by a Supporting Witness in relation to a Partner or Prospective Marriage Visa application, is a key document in the Australian immigration process. The Department of Home Affairs uses this declaration to verify the authenticity of a visa applicant's relationship with their partner or fiance(e). Only Australian citizens or permanent residents who are at least 18 years old may complete this form as a supporting witness.

The form asks the witness to provide their full name, address, contact details, and occupation. The witness must also describe how they know the visa applicant and their partner, how long they have known them, and what specific evidence they have seen that confirms the relationship is genuine. Examples include attending the couple's social events, seeing their shared home, observing their daily life together, or discussing the relationship directly with both parties.

Each partner visa application may include up to two Form 888 declarations from different supporting witnesses. Witnesses should provide detailed, specific accounts rather than vague statements, as immigration officers look for credible and personal observations. Every statement in the declaration is legally binding under Australian law. Providing false or misleading information may result in serious penalties including fines or imprisonment.

Once completed, the declaration must be signed in the presence of an authorized person as defined in the Statutory Declarations Act 1959. Authorized witnesses include justices of the peace, lawyers, pharmacists, medical practitioners, and other qualified officials. The completed Form 888 is then submitted along with the main visa application. If you are gathering supporting documents, you may also need the Australia Immigration Form 80 or the Immigration Casework form.