Last Update: April 3, 2026
When a loved one is applying for a green card—especially in a marriage-based case—you may be asked to write an affidavit of support. This isn't the government's financial form (Form I-864), but a personal statement describing what you've seen and know about the couple's relationship.Done well, this letter can make a real difference. It gives USCIS officers something no other document can: a human perspective from someone who knows the couple personally.
Note: This is NOT a page about the "Affidavit of Support," which is the financial support form for certain immigration applicants. Go to our Affidavit of Support page→ to learn more.
What is an Affidavit for Immigration?
An affidavit for immigration is a sworn written statement made by someone who knows the applicant (and their spouse, in marriage-based cases). The letter is used as part of the evidence to support an immigration petition, usually to prove a genuine marital relationship.
Unlike the Affidavit of Support (Form I-864)↗, which shows the U.S. petitioner can financially support the immigrant, this affidavit provides personal testimony about the relationship's authenticity.
Under USCIS policy↗, such statements can be submitted as secondary evidence of a bona fide marriage. They're particularly helpful if the couple lacks traditional evidence like joint leases, joint bank accounts, or tax returns.
Why is an Affidavit Important?
Immigration officers are trained to detect fraud and spot marriages entered solely for green card benefits. An affidavit offers insight from a third party—someone who has spent real time with the couple and can describe their relationship in detail.
When done well, an affidavit:
- Reinforces the evidence already submitted
- Fills in any gaps where joint documentation is missing
- Demonstrates community knowledge of the couple's relationship
- Shows consistency across multiple sources of evidence
Who Can Write an Affidavit?
Anyone who knows the couple personally may write an affidavit. Ideal affiants include:
- Close friends
- Family members
- Neighbors
- Coworkers
- Religious or community leaders
The more time they've spent with the couple, the more persuasive their letter will be.
Affidavits can be written in foreign languages, but be sure to include a certified translation with the original statement.
How to Write an Affidavit for Immigration
The letter doesn't have to be fancy—but it must be clear, specific, and honest. Here's what a strong affidavit includes:
- Introduction Your affidavit should start with your full name, address, date of birth, nationality, and telephone number.
- Your Relationship to the Couple Explain how you know them, how long you've known them, and in what capacity (e.g., friend, cousin, coworker).
- Personal Observations This is the most important part. Include details that show:- How the couple interacts with each other- How they spend time together (trips, holidays, family events)- How they talk about future plans or handle challenges- Use anecdotes and sensory language where appropriate. For example: "I remember helping them move into their new apartment in Mount Pleasant. They argued over where to hang wedding photos, but in the end, they picked the hallway and laughed about it. It felt like watching any real married couple."
- Statement of Truth and Signature End the affidavit with a statement like:"I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States that the foregoing is true and correct."
- Have it Notarized Don't sign the affidavit just yet. Take the printed affidavit to a Notary Public. The Notary will review your ID and watch you sign the document. The Notary will then certify that the statement was made by you.
Dos and Don’ts
Do
- Be honest and write in your own voice
- Include real, specific examples with dates and locations
- Keep it 1–2 pages (400–800 words)
- Use first-person observations ("I saw…", "I witnessed…")
- Have it notarized before submitting
Don’t
- Submit generic or copy-paste language
- Make exaggerated or false claims
- Include opinions ("I believe they love each other")
- Leave out your contact information
- Forget to sign and date the letter
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These anonymized composites illustrate the level of detail, specific events, and first-person observations that make an affidavit persuasive. Use them as a reference — never copy them verbatim.
I, Michael Torres, reside at 415 Elm Street, Austin, Texas 78701. I am a close friend of both Maria and James Chen and have known them since September 2019, when we met at a neighborhood block party on Elm Street.
Over the past five years, I have observed Maria and James build a genuine, loving life together. I was present at their housewarming party in January 2020, where they introduced each other to friends and family and clearly shared the responsibilities of hosting. James grilled while Maria organized games for the children, and they moved through the evening like a team that had been together for years.
In November 2020, Maria and James invited me to their home for Thanksgiving dinner. I witnessed them cooking together in their kitchen, finishing each other's sentences about the recipe and joking about whose grandmother's stuffing was better. Their three-year-old niece sat on James's lap the entire evening, and Maria later told me they were hoping to start a family of their own.
In March 2021, James was laid off from his position at a logistics company. I saw Maria step up immediately. She adjusted her own work schedule, picked up extra freelance projects, and reassured James during our weekly phone calls. I visited their apartment several times during that period and saw them working side by side at the dining table, James updating his resume while Maria edited his cover letters.
I have visited their shared home at 415 Elm Street on numerous occasions and have always observed shared belongings, joint mail addressed to both of them, and family photos displayed throughout the living room and hallway. They attend community events together, share a vehicle, and consistently refer to future plans — buying a house, starting a family — as something they are building together.
I, Sarah Nguyen, reside at 230 Maple Drive, Charlotte, North Carolina 28203. I am the older sister of Linh Nguyen, the petitioning spouse, and I have known her husband, David Park, since Linh first introduced him to our family in April 2018.
I was present at Easter dinner in April 2018 when Linh brought David to our parents' home for the first time. He was nervous but respectful, and I watched him help our mother clear dishes without being asked. By the end of the evening, our father invited him to come back the following weekend to watch basketball, which he did.
In August 2019, David proposed to Linh at a family barbecue at my home. He had coordinated the surprise with me weeks in advance, asking my opinion on the ring and whether Linh would prefer a private or family moment. I helped him set up the backyard, and I was standing ten feet away when Linh said yes.
I served as a bridesmaid in their wedding on June 12, 2020, held at Grace Community Church in Charlotte. I helped Linh prepare that morning, and I watched David become emotional during his vows. Approximately eighty guests attended, including members of both families. I gave a toast at the reception in which I spoke about how David had become a true member of our family.
Every Christmas since 2018, Linh and David have celebrated at our parents' home. They arrive together, bring coordinated gifts, and David participates fully in our family traditions, including our annual card game and cooking duties. I speak with Linh by phone at least once a week, and David frequently joins the call or sends his greetings. When I visit their home in Charlotte, I see a shared household — joint furniture choices, David's books next to Linh's art supplies, and their dog, Biscuit, whom they adopted together in 2021.
I, Jennifer Walsh, reside at 88 Oak Lane, Denver, Colorado 80202. I have been employed at Ridgeline Financial Group since January 2020, where I work as a senior analyst in the same department as Priya Sharma. I have known Priya and her husband, Michael Reeves, for approximately three years.
I first met Michael at the company holiday party in December 2020, held at the Ridgeline downtown office. Priya introduced him as her husband, and I observed them throughout the evening interacting affectionately — he brought her a drink, she adjusted his tie, and they spent most of the event side by side. Several colleagues commented afterward on what a natural couple they seemed.
In March 2021, our team organized a happy hour at Blue Moon Brewery on Larimer Street. Michael joined Priya and sat with our group for over two hours. He knew details about our ongoing projects that Priya had clearly shared with him, and he asked thoughtful questions about the team. I noticed they drove to the event together and left together.
In September 2022, Priya received a promotion to team lead. Michael surprised her by sending a bouquet of flowers to the office that afternoon with a card that read, "Proud of you always." Priya showed the card to several of us, and I could see she was genuinely moved. That Friday, Michael organized a small celebration dinner at an Italian restaurant on 17th Street, which four of us from the team attended.
On a daily basis, I observe Priya behaving consistently with someone in a committed marriage. She wears her wedding ring every day, references weekend plans with Michael regularly, and has framed photos of the two of them on her desk. She has mentioned their shared apartment, joint grocery shopping, and planning a trip to visit Michael's parents in Ohio. Nothing I have observed in three years has suggested anything other than a genuine, ongoing marital relationship.
I, Robert Kim, reside at 1200 Pine Avenue, Apartment 4B, Portland, Oregon 97205. I have lived at this address since March 2020. Ana and Carlos Mendoza moved into Apartment 4D, directly across the hall from me, in June 2021. I have known them as my neighbors for approximately two years.
I first met Ana and Carlos on their move-in day. I saw them carrying boxes together and offered to help with a heavy bookshelf. They introduced themselves as a married couple and thanked me with homemade tamales the following evening. Since that day, I have regularly encountered them in the hallway, lobby, parking garage, and laundry room of our building.
On a daily basis, I observe Ana and Carlos leaving for work together most mornings between 7:30 and 8:00 a.m. They typically walk to the parking garage side by side, and I have seen Carlos open the car door for Ana on multiple occasions. In the evenings, I often hear them cooking together through our shared wall, and the smell of home-cooked meals is frequent.
In January 2022, our building lost power during a winter storm. Ana and Carlos knocked on my door and invited me to share dinner in their apartment, where they had prepared soup on a camping stove. I spent several hours with them that evening and observed a warm, comfortable home — wedding photos on the living room shelf, a shared calendar on the refrigerator, and a single bedroom clearly used by both of them.
In August 2022, I attended a surprise birthday party that Carlos organized for Ana in the building's common room. He decorated the space, ordered a cake, and invited approximately fifteen people, including friends and family. He gave a short speech in which he called Ana "the best thing that ever happened to me." I could see she was emotional, and they embraced in front of everyone.
I have never observed any indication that Ana and Carlos live separate lives or maintain separate households. They share one parking spot, receive mail addressed to both names, and consistently behave as a married couple in every interaction I have witnessed.
These samples show what strong affidavits look like. Want yours reviewed before you file? Talk to an attorney →
Pre-Submission Checklist
This checklist is a general guide — not legal advice. Your attorney may have additional requirements specific to your case.
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Check My AffidavitAffidavit Format & Notarization
There's no official USCIS form for this type of affidavit. However, your letter should be:
- Typed, if possible (handwritten is acceptable but less common)
- Signed and dated
- Notarized—this adds credibility and formality
Most U.S. banks, shipping stores, or public libraries offer notarization. If your affiant is abroad, they may use a U.S. embassy or consulate for notarial services.
What is a Notary Public and Where Do I Find One?
In the United States, a Notary Public is a public state official commissioned to serve as an impartial witness in performing fraud-deterrent acts related to signing important documents. A notary is permitted to administer an oath. Documents that are notarized carry significant evidentiary weight and are accepted by USCIS in immigration matters.
You can find Notaries in every state of the United States. Most often, you can find a Notary at a bank or law office. A Google search for "notary near me" should provide good results.
In other parts of the world, an official who can perform these duties may have a different name, or in some cases, may not exist at all. If you are unable to notarize a document, you may still provide the statement, but it may carry less importance to an immigration officer.
Need Help With Your Immigration Case?
If you're unsure how to prepare strong evidence for a marriage-based green card case, we can help. Occam Immigration offers professional guidance, review services, and full application support—so you can file confidently. Schedule a consultation today→.