How to fill in Form 888, question by question
Short answer
To fill in Form 888, the witness enters their own details, the couple’s names and how long they’ve known each of them, then answers questions 3 and 4 in their own words, ticks question 5 about ID evidence, and signs and dates the declaration. The form says to open it in Adobe Acrobat Reader and type in English, or print it and complete it in English in BLOCK LETTERS.
Checked against Form 888 (08/26) and Home Affairs’ pages on 19/10/2026General information, not migration advice
What are the steps to complete Form 888?
- Get the current form. Download Form 888 (design date 08/26) from the Department of Home Affairs website.
- Choose how to fill it. Open it in Adobe Acrobat Reader and type in English, or print it and write in English using a pen and BLOCK LETTERS.
- Enter your details. Your family name, given names, residential address, phone numbers and, if you want, an email address.
- Answer questions 1 and 2. The visa applicant's and their partner's or fiancé(e)'s names, and how long you have known each of them.
- Answer questions 3 and 4. How you know them and how often you're in contact; whether you believe the relationship is genuine and continuing, and why.
- Answer question 5 and attach ID. Say whether you've attached evidence of your identity, and attach it.
- Sign and date. Sign the declaration at question 6 and date it.
- Give it to the couple. The applicant or their representative attaches it to the application in ImmiAccount.
What do you need before you start?
- The current form from Home Affairs (where to get the Form 888 PDF)
- The applicant’s and partner’s full names as on their passports
- Roughly how long you’ve known each of them, and the dates of things you’ll mention
- Your ID evidence (what counts)
What does each part of Form 888 ask for?
| Part | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Details of person making the statement | Family name, given names, residential address (street, suburb and city, country, postcode) |
| Your contact details | Home telephone (country code, area code, number) and mobile |
| Electronic communication | Email address; by giving one, the witness agrees to communicate by email |
| 1. Visa applicant's name | Family name, given names, how long you have known this person |
| 2. Applicant's partner or fiancé(e) | Family name, given names, how long you have known this person |
| 3. How you know them | How you know the applicant and their partner, and how often you've been in contact |
| 4. Genuine and continuing | Whether you believe the relationship is genuine and continuing, and your reasons |
| Other matters | Optional: anything else you wish to add in support |
| 5. Evidence of identity | Tick whether you have attached evidence of your identity |
| 6. Declaration | Your signature and the date |
| Page 1, bottom left | Transaction Reference Number and File Number, if known |
How do you answer question 3?
Question 3 asks how you know the applicant and their partner, and how often you’ve been in contact. Say how and when you met each of them, how you came to know them as a couple, and how often you see, call or message them. See fictional Form 888 example answers for the level of detail.
How do you answer question 4?
Question 4 asks whether you believe the relationship is genuine and continuing, and why. Give your honest view first, then reasons based on what you’ve seen yourself: time spent with them, how they are together, and plans they’ve shared with you.
What is question 5?
Question 5 asks: “Have you attached evidence of your identity?” with No and Yes boxes. 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.
How is Form 888 signed?
The witness signs the declaration at question 6 and writes the date. By signing they state that they believe the statements are true in every particular. Neither Form 888 nor the visa pages say whether an electronic signature is accepted; the form has a signature box and a date field.
Migration Act 1958 section 234 sets a maximum penalty of 10 years' imprisonment or 1,000 penalty units, or both, for false or misleading statements.
Questions
Who is the applicant on Form 888?
The applicant is the person applying for the partner or prospective marriage visa. Question 1 is about them. Question 2 is about their partner or fiancé(e), who is usually the sponsor.
Who fills in Form 888?
The witness fills it in about themselves and the couple. Form 888 must be completed by someone who is at least 18 and knows the visa applicant, their partner or fiancé(e), and the history of their relationship.
What if an answer doesn't fit in the box?
The form says “If insufficient space, please attach additional details” under questions 3, 4 and other matters. Continue on an attached page that clearly says which question it continues.
Do we fill in the Transaction Reference Number and File Number?
Page 1 has boxes for a Transaction Reference Number and a File Number. If the applicant has lodged and has these from ImmiAccount or the Department, they can be added; the boxes can stay empty if you don't have them.
Can Form 888 be signed electronically?
Neither Form 888 nor the visa pages say whether an electronic signature is accepted; the form has a signature box and a date field.
Where is Form 888 submitted?
The form says that once completed, the visa applicant or their appointed representative can attach it to the Partner or Prospective Marriage visa application in ImmiAccount.