Form 888 is a supporting statement from a third-party witness. Its current official title with the Department of Home Affairs is “Supporting statement in relation to a Partner or Prospective Marriage visa application”, and since the 2023 redesign it is no longer a Commonwealth statutory declaration. Only the witness signs it, and no certification by a JP is required; the witness must know both the applicant and the partner, be aware of the history of their relationship, and be at least 18 years of age.
Negin Safaei, an Australian migration lawyer with MARA registration number 1791573, emphasises that much of the confusion surrounding Form 888 stems from older versions of the form. Earlier versions (such as the 07/19 and 10/20 designs) were made under the Statutory Declarations Act 1959 and carried that Act’s warning of four years’ imprisonment. In the current version, the witness’s responsibility is framed under the Migration Act 1958: providing false or misleading information is a serious offence, and the form expressly refers to the offence under section 234(1)(b) and penalties of up to 10 years’ imprisonment. The practical consequence of this change is equally clear: Form 888 cannot be used to satisfy other requirements that call for a Commonwealth statutory declaration.
As to who may complete the form, the criteria set out in the current version are exactly as described above: knowing both the applicant and their partner or fiancé(e), being familiar with the history of the relationship, and being at least 18 years old. The requirement that the witness be an Australian citizen or permanent resident belonged to the older statutory declaration versions and should not today be stated as an absolute rule; my professional advice is always to read the eligibility statement on the current version of the form.
The content of the form turns on three themes: how and since when the witness has known the couple, how often they are in contact with them, and whether they consider the relationship genuine and continuing — and on what factual basis they have personally observed. In the Department of Home Affairs’ assessment, these statements are evidence of the social context of the relationship, not character references; for that reason, concrete, everyday observations — such as shared involvement in caring for a child, day-to-day care, and how the couple behave in ordinary life — carry more weight than a large volume of photographs.
Two practical points are also frequently overlooked, and they weaken an application: the witness must attach proof of their identity to the form, and the signed form is uploaded to ImmiAccount by the applicant or their registered migration lawyer/agent — the witness should not send it to the Department themselves. As to numbers, no legally mandated minimum should be treated as settled; common practice is to provide at least two Form 888 statements, and a greater number can assist an application provided the content is of good quality.
If you want to be confident that your witnesses are eligible and that their statements show precisely what the case officer is looking for, a short consultation with Negin Safaei can set your mind at ease and smooth the path of your partner visa application.
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This answer reflects the law and policy as verified on September 29, 2026. Immigration rules change frequently — confirm the current position before acting.
Mrs. Negin Safaee Registered Migration Agent 1791573
This article is general information only, current at the date shown, and is not legal advice. Do not rely on it for your own situation — immigration law and policy change frequently. Seek advice from a registered migration agent or immigration lawyer about your circumstances.