Form 888 (Statutory Declaration by a Supporting Witness) is a short declaration completed by someone who personally knows you and your partner and can vouch for the genuineness of your relationship. It's commonly used as supporting evidence for partner and de facto relationship visa applications, alongside your own relationship evidence.
What Form 888 is for
The form asks a witness to declare how they know you and your partner, how long they've known you both, and what they've personally observed about your relationship — shared social occasions, how you're regarded by friends and family, and their honest opinion that the relationship is genuine. It's third-party corroborating evidence, distinct from the documents you and your partner provide yourselves (joint finances, shared residence, and so on).
Who can sign one
Generally an Australian citizen or permanent resident aged 18 or over who has known both you and your partner personally, is not a relative of either of you, and can speak to your relationship from direct personal knowledge rather than secondhand. Check the current Form 888 instructions for the exact witness-identification requirements (such as accepted proof-of-identity documents to attach), since these details are set by the form itself and can be updated.
How many you typically need
Partner and prospective marriage visa applications generally require two Form 888 statutory declarations from people who know you both well, ideally from different parts of your life (for example, one from each side of the family, or a mix of family and friends) rather than two witnesses who only know one side of the relationship.
Ask witnesses to be specific rather than generic — dates, shared events, and concrete observations carry more weight with a case officer than a general statement that "they seem happy together."
Where it fits in your checklist
Form 888 declarations sit under the relationship evidence (social aspect) section of a partner visa checklist, alongside photos, joint invitations, and evidence of how your relationship is known to friends and family. Once each witness's form is signed and scanned, add it to your VisaPacks checklist so it's uploaded and named alongside your other relationship documents.
Frequently asked questions
Who can sign a Form 888?
Generally an Australian citizen or permanent resident aged 18 or over who personally knows both you and your partner, is not a relative of either of you, and can speak to your relationship from direct knowledge. Always check the current Form 888 instructions for the exact witness and proof-of-identity requirements.
How many Form 888s do I need?
Partner and prospective marriage applications generally require two Form 888 declarations, ideally from people who know you both from different parts of your life rather than two witnesses who only know one side of the relationship.
Does the witness have to be a relative?
No — in fact the opposite. Witnesses generally should not be relatives of either partner. What matters is that they personally know you as a couple and can describe what they've actually observed.