Form 888 in 2026: Who Can Complete It, Can the Witness Be Overseas and Does It Need Witnessing?

Form 888 is one of the most searched documents in Australian Partner Visa applications, and older online advice is now causing confusion. The current Form 888 (design date 11/24) is titled a Supporting statement in relation to a Partner or Prospective Marriage visa application.

The current form says it must be completed by a person who knows the visa applicant and their partner or fiancé(e), knows the history of the relationship and is at least 18 years old.

Does the Form 888 witness have to be an Australian citizen or permanent resident?

The current form does not state that every person completing Form 888 must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident. It requires documentary evidence of the person’s current name and age and, where applicable, evidence of Australian citizenship or permanent residence.

Home Affairs’ current Partner Visa pages similarly say the witness must be 18 or older, know the couple and know about the relationship. If the witness is an Australian citizen or permanent resident, evidence of that status should be provided.

Can a parent or friend overseas complete Form 888?

Yes, the current form can be completed by an overseas witness who satisfies the requirements. The quality of the evidence still matters. A parent who has known the relationship closely may provide stronger evidence of family recognition than an Australian acquaintance who barely knows the applicant.

How many Form 888 statements are needed?

Home Affairs’ current 820, 801 and 300 pages ask for statements from two witnesses. The Form 888 itself notes that a person may be asked to submit up to three separate statements during processing.

Does Form 888 need to be witnessed by a JP?

The current 11/24 Form 888 is not drafted as the older Commonwealth statutory declaration form. It requires the supporting person to sign and date the statement and attach identity evidence. The current form itself does not contain a separate JP, lawyer or authorised-witness execution section.

What ID should be attached?

The form requires documentary evidence of current name and age, and where applicable Australian citizenship or permanent residency. The document should be clear and consistent with the name used on Form 888.

What makes a strong Form 888?

• Explain how the witness knows both parties.
• Give specific examples of time spent with the couple.
• Describe how the relationship developed.
• Explain why the witness believes the relationship is genuine and continuing.
• Avoid copying the couple’s own relationship statement.
• Use the witness’s own language and observations.

Case example

In a 309/100 case, the applicant’s parents lived overseas and knew the relationship extremely well, while the sponsor’s Australian colleagues had met the applicant only once. The evidence strategy used witnesses who could genuinely describe the relationship rather than selecting people purely because they lived in Australia. Each supporting person attached the identity evidence required by the current Form 888.

Download the current Form 888 from Home Affairs. For the broader evidence framework, visit our Partner Visa hub.

General information only. Always use the current Home Affairs version of Form 888 rather than an old saved PDF or outdated template.