Form 888 ID evidence: what the witness provides
Short answer
The person completing Form 888 must provide documentary evidence of their current name, age and, where applicable, Australian citizenship or permanent residency, for example a copy of their birth certificate, Australian passport or a passport containing a permanent visa.
Checked against Form 888 (08/26) and Home Affairs’ pages on 19/10/2026General information, not migration advice
What does Form 888 say about ID evidence?
The form says: “The person completing this form must provide documentary evidence of their current name, age and, where applicable, Australian citizenship or Australian permanent residency (for example, a copy of their birth certificate, Australian passport or passport containing a permanent visa).”
Question 5 then asks: “Have you attached evidence of your identity?” The Home Affairs visa pages add: “If the witness is an Australian citizen or permanent resident, provide evidence of this such as a passport or birth certificate.”
Which document fits which witness?
| Witness | What the form asks them to show | Examples from the form and visa pages |
|---|---|---|
| Australian citizen | Current name, age and Australian citizenship | Birth certificate or Australian passport |
| Australian permanent resident | Current name, age and permanent residency | Passport containing a permanent visa |
| Neither | Current name and age (citizenship or residency doesn't apply) | The form gives no specific example for this case |
Based on the form’s wording “where applicable”. General information, not advice about a particular witness.
Do copies need to be certified?
The current form doesn’t mention certification. The old statutory-declaration version (10/20) said “All copies must be certified” and required the witness to be an Australian citizen or permanent resident. Both changed in July 2023. See what changed when Form 888 stopped being a statutory declaration.
Do you have to upload ID to an online tool?
No. The ID evidence goes with the signed form to the couple, who attach it in ImmiAccount. Partner Visa Kit never asks witnesses to upload ID; each witness gets a checklist instead. See how to fill in Form 888.
Questions
What ID does a Form 888 witness need?
The person completing Form 888 must provide documentary evidence of their current name, age and, where applicable, Australian citizenship or permanent residency, for example a copy of their birth certificate, Australian passport or a passport containing a permanent visa.
Does the witness's ID need to be certified?
The current Form 888 doesn't mention certification. The old statutory-declaration version (10/20) said “All copies must be certified”; that line isn't on the 07/23, 11/24 or 08/26 versions.
Can a driver's licence be used as Form 888 ID evidence?
The form's examples are a birth certificate, an Australian passport and a passport containing a permanent visa. It doesn't mention driver's licences. Check Home Affairs' visa page for your subclass if you're unsure.
Does the witness need to be an Australian citizen?
No. Since July 2023 the person making a Form 888 no longer has to be an Australian citizen or permanent resident. If they are a citizen or permanent resident, the visa pages ask for evidence of it, such as a passport or birth certificate.
Who attaches the ID evidence?
The witness gives copies of their ID evidence with their signed Form 888, and the visa applicant or their representative attaches them in ImmiAccount.