Form 888 example answers: how to fill in each question
Published by Form 888 Australia · publisher and review details
As at October 2026: every field and example follows Form 888, design date 08/26 (current numbering: Questions 1–4, an unnumbered ‘other matters’ box, Question 5 identity, Question 6 declaration).
Form 888 example answers name dates, places and events the supporter saw first-hand: for Question 3, how they know both partners and how often they are in contact; for Question 4, why they believe the relationship is genuine and continuing (design date 08/26).
The supporter writes every answer in English, typed or by hand in BLOCK LETTERS and in their own words, and signs a declaration, citing section 234(1)(b) of the Migration Act 1958, that they believe the statements are true in every particular.
What each field on Form 888 (design date 08/26) asks. The example answers further down are invented illustrations, not wording to copy.
| Field (08/26) | Wording, short | What to give | Edition note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Details of person making the statement (unnumbered) | “I, Family name … Given names … of Your residential address … Postcode” | Supporter’s full name and current residential address | The 07/23 details block asked for name and address only |
| Your contact details | Home telephone: country code, area code, number; Mobile/cell | Numbers the supporter answers | Added with 11/24 |
| Electronic communication | “By providing an email address below, the supporting witness agrees to communicate using: Email address” | An email address the supporter reads; providing it agrees to electronic contact | Added with 11/24 |
| Question 1 | “Visa applicant’s name”; “How long have you known this person?” | Applicant’s family and given names; years known and starting point | Same wording in earlier editions |
| Question 2 | “Name of applicant’s partner or fiancé(e)”; “How long have you known this person?” | Partner’s names; years known and starting point | Same wording |
| Question 3 — 14 lines | How you know both people and how often you have been in contact | How you met each person; frequency and method of contact | Same wording |
| Question 4 — 18 lines | Whether the relationship is genuine and continuing, and reasons | Belief first; reasons from personal observations | Same question in earlier editions |
| Other matters — unnumbered, 22 lines | “State any other matters you wish to add in support of the visa application” | Optional additional first-hand information | Question 5 before 11/24 |
| Question 5 | “Have you attached evidence of your identity?” No / Yes | Tick Yes and attach the ID copy | Question 6 before 11/24; statutory-declaration editions asked for citizenship or permanent residency evidence, certified |
| Question 6 | Warning; declaration under s 234(1)(b); signature; date | Print, sign and date, following Home Affairs’ “print and sign” instruction | Question 7 before 11/24; the 10/20 declaration cited s 11 of the Statutory Declarations Act 1959 |
| Transaction Reference Number / File Number — bottom of page 1, left column | Two labelled boxes | The form gives no instruction; see the explanation below | The 10/20 box said “Office use only / File number” |
Under Questions 3 and 4 and the other-matters box, Form 888 says: “If insufficient space, please attach additional details”.
Get your supporters’ answers read side by side by an Australian migration lawyer before lodgement.
Can you provide some example answers for Form 888?
Yes: these example answers for Form 888 are invented weak-and-strong pairs for Questions 1 and 2, Question 4, the other-matters box and Question 5 of the 08/26 form; Question 3 is summarised here, with its pairs on a separate page.
“Strong” means specific, first-hand and about both partners—not longer for its own sake.
Who’s who: all illustrations concern Lena Example, the applicant, and Tom Sample, her partner and sponsor, married in 20X7. Their supporters are Priya (friend of both), Josef (Lena’s older brother), Margaret (Tom’s mother), Dan (Tom’s colleague) and Ana (Lena’s school friend overseas). The statements are written in 20X9.
Questions 1 and 2: how long have you known this person?
Form 888 asks how long the supporter has known each person separately. These illustrations are Priya’s answers.
Invented illustration: fictional people and dates. It shows the level of detail, not wording to copy.
| Weak (vague) | Strong (specific, first-hand) | Why the strong one works |
|---|---|---|
| Question 1, Lena: “A long time.” | “9 years (since February 20X0)” | Gives years and a starting point matching the later account of meeting Lena at university |
| Question 2, Tom: “A few years.” | “About 6 years (since mid-20X3)” | “About” acknowledges uncertainty; the starting point matches meeting Tom through football |
Question 3: how you know them and how often you are in contact
Question 3 of Form 888 asks the supporter to “State how you know the applicant and the applicant’s partner or fiancé(e), and indicate how often you have been in contact with them”, so a strong answer covers both people, when and where each was met, and contact frequency and method.
The form gives 14 ruled lines and says: “If insufficient space, please attach additional details”.
The separate guide to Form 888 Question 3 covers weak-versus-strong illustrations for both halves, infrequent contact and knowing one partner better.
Question 4: why you believe the relationship is genuine and continuing
Question 4 of Form 888 asks whether the supporter believes the relationship is genuine and continuing, and their reasons. Priya’s illustration separates observations from information the couple told her.
Invented illustration: fictional people and dates. It shows the level of detail, not wording to copy.
| Weak (vague) | Strong (specific, first-hand) | Why the strong one works |
|---|---|---|
| “Yes. They are a beautiful couple, very much in love and perfect for each other. They deserve to be together.” | “Yes, I believe their relationship is genuine and continuing. I introduced them at my birthday dinner in March 20X4 and have watched the relationship grow since. I helped them move into their flat in August 20X5, and I gave a reading at their wedding in October 20X7. When Tom’s mother was in hospital in January 20X8, Lena drove him to see her every weekend; I went with them twice. They host friends together most months, and at those dinners they introduce each other as husband and wife. Last month they told me they are saving for a house deposit.” | Answers “whether” immediately; gives dated observations; identifies what Priya was told; shows recent contact and plans, not just past events |
Regulation 1.15A(3)(c)(i) of the Migration Regulations 1994 names whether people represent themselves to others as married as a social aspect. The dinner introductions illustrate that named matter; this is not a claim about the weight Home Affairs gives it.
Can you provide an example answer to question 5 on Form 888?
On current Form 888, design date 08/26, Question 5 is the identity tick box, “Have you attached evidence of your identity?”: the example answer is a tick in “Yes” with the supporter’s ID copy attached.
A “question 5 example” may instead mean “State any other matters you wish to add in support of the visa application”. That was Question 5 before the 11/24 edition and is now unnumbered.
Invented illustration: fictional people and dates. It shows the level of detail, not wording to copy.
| Weak (vague) | Strong (specific, first-hand) | Why the strong one works |
|---|---|---|
| Question 5: Yes ticked, nothing attached; or neither box ticked | Yes ticked, with a clear colour ID copy showing current name and age; citizens and permanent residents also attach status evidence where applicable | The answer matches the attached evidence |
For the other-matters box, Margaret can describe the couple’s time apart from her own perspective.
Invented illustration: fictional people and dates. It shows the level of detail, not wording to copy.
| Weak (vague) | Strong (specific, first-hand) | Why the strong one works |
|---|---|---|
| “Please approve this visa. They need to be together and my son is very happy.” | “Lena and Tom lived apart from May to November 20X6 while Lena finished a work contract overseas. I know Tom flew to see her twice in that time, because I drove him to the airport both times. When I visited their home in December 20X6, Lena was back and they were living together again. I am happy to be contacted about anything in this statement.” | Explains how Margaret knows about the visits and reunion, rather than making a plea |
If there is nothing first-hand to add, avoid filler: Form 888 asks for matters the supporter “wish[es] to add”.
Ana’s illustration below describes the same 20X6 visit from her side: consistent facts, different sentences.
Do not copy these answers
Invented illustration: fictional people and dates. It shows the level of detail, not wording to copy.
Each supporter should check that the answer describes what they personally know, in their own words. Form 888 asks each person to “State how you know…” and declare the statements “true in every particular”; it uses their statements to assess social aspects, including “the opinion of the persons’ friends and acquaintances” under regulation 1.15A of the Migration Regulations 1994.
Form 888 says a supporter may be contacted for further comment or interview. The form does not state how Home Affairs weighs repeated wording across statements.
The facts should agree across statements; the words should not.
How to write a good Form 888?
To write a good Form 888, follow six rules drawn from what the form asks and what the supporter declares.
Answer the question asked. Form 888 Question 3 asks how you know both people and your contact frequency; Question 4 asks whether the relationship is genuine and continuing, and why.
Use first-hand knowledge. Explain how you know: distinguish what you saw from what the couple told you.
Be specific. Give months, years, places, events and contact frequency where known.
Cover both partners over time. Include the present, not only the beginning: Form 888 Question 4 asks about “continuing”.
Use your own words. Form 888 requires English, typed or handwritten in BLOCK LETTERS. Do not share drafts among supporters.
Check before signing. Form 888’s declaration says the statements are “true in every particular”; the form also advises keeping a copy and attachments.
Form 888 sets no minimum or maximum length: it provides 14 lines for Question 3, 18 for Question 4 and 22 for other matters, with additional details attached if needed.
What are common errors on Form 888?
Common errors on Form 888 fall into seven kinds, each worth checking before the supporter signs.
Using a previous edition. Check Form 888’s footer for 08/26. “Declared at” and “Before me” indicate a statutory-declaration edition; have a migration lawyer check a statement already signed on one.
Generic praise. Replace “a lovely couple” with relevant observations, not unsupported claims.
Repeated wording. Each supporter should give their own account, not a shared draft.
Conflicting dates. Check against Questions 1 and 2, the couple’s account and other supporters.
Only one partner covered. Form 888 Question 3 asks about “the applicant and the applicant’s partner or fiancé(e)”.
Applicant and partner swapped. Form 888 Question 1 is the applicant; Question 2 is their partner.
Missing formalities. Check English answers, Question 5 and attached ID, and the supporter’s signature and date, as Form 888 requires.
Form 888 example answers for a friend, parent or sibling
Form 888 example answers for a friend, parent or sibling differ in what each knows first-hand; the same applies to colleagues and overseas friends.
Invented illustration: fictional people and dates. It shows the level of detail, not wording to copy.
| Supporter | What they can speak to first-hand | Weak line | Stronger line (invented) | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parent: Margaret | Family life | “Lena is like a daughter to me.” | “Lena has spent every Christmas with my family since 20X4 and joins Tom’s Sunday video call with me most weeks; she organised my 65th birthday lunch in 20X8.” | Form 888 requires English; translation help is possible under s 276(3)(b), but the account stays hers. The form does not exclude relatives. |
| Sibling: Josef | Contact with both | “They are always together.” | “Since June 20X5 I have seen them together about twice a month, mostly at Sunday dinners at their flat.” | Cover both, not only the sibling. |
| Friend: Priya | Social life | “Everyone knows they are a couple.” | “At my birthday dinner in 20X6, and at every friends’ dinner since, they have arrived together and introduced each other as partners.” | Form 888 requires knowledge of both and their relationship history. |
| Colleague: Dan | Work and outside contact | “Tom is a hard worker and a good person.” | “Tom brought Lena to the office end-of-year party in December 20X4, and I have been to their home for a barbecue three times since 20X6.” | Knowing only one partner does not meet Form 888’s first condition. |
| Overseas friend: Ana | Visits and calls | “I have known Lena since school and she is happy with Tom.” | “I have known Lena since she and I were at school together. I met Tom in July 20X6, when he visited Lena while she was working here, and I have had a video call with them both about once a month since.” | Distinguish visits from calls. Form 888 has no citizenship or residence condition; status evidence applies to citizens and permanent residents. |
Ana and Margaret describe the same 20X6 visit, each from what she saw.
Under Form 888, every Form 888 supporter must be 18 or over and know both partners and their relationship history; the supporters guide explains qualification and evidence requirements.
Which Form 888 fields confuse supporters?
Seven Form 888 fields confuse supporters; the form answers all but the number boxes.
| Field | What confuses people | What the 08/26 form says |
|---|---|---|
| Questions 1 and 2 | Who goes first? | Applicant first; partner or fiancé(e) second |
| “Supporting witness” | Does someone witness it? | Home Affairs’ term for the supporter; no witness section |
| Why provide it? | Giving it agrees to electronic communication | |
| Transaction Reference Number / File Number | Who completes them? | No instruction |
| Ruled lines | Not enough room? | “If insufficient space, please attach additional details” |
| Date | Which format? | Day Month Year; fillable field formats as dd-mmm-yyyy |
| Privacy and records | What to do? | Refers to Form 1442i Privacy notice; strongly advises keeping the statement and attachments |
Who is 'the applicant' on Form 888?
The applicant on Form 888 is the person applying for the partner or prospective marriage visa: Question 1 asks their name; Question 2 asks their partner’s or fiancé(e)’s name.
For a partner visa, Question 2 identifies the sponsoring partner: Home Affairs’ 801 page refers to “the same person who sponsored you”. Answer each “How long have you known this person?” separately.
What are the Transaction Reference Number and File Number boxes?
The Transaction Reference Number and File Number boxes sit at the bottom of Form 888 page 1; the form gives no instruction, including who completes them.
The 10/20 edition said “Office use only / File number”; the 08/26 form has no “Office use only” label.
Do not guess a number. A migration lawyer preparing the application can advise whether to complete them.
What does giving an email address agree to?
Giving an email address agrees to electronic communication: Form 888 says, “The Department prefers to communicate electronically. By providing an email address below, the supporting witness agrees to communicate using: Email address”.
“Supporting witness” means the supporter; current Form 888 has no witness section and nobody else signs it.
Phone, mobile and email fields arrived with 11/24. Give usable details because Form 888 says Home Affairs may contact the supporter.
What if the lines run out?
If the lines run out, attach additional pages: Form 888 says “If insufficient space, please attach additional details” under Questions 3 and 4 and other matters.
As a practical precaution, label each page with the supporter’s name and the question continued.
Home Affairs’ visa pages say to save a multi-page document as one file; the steps to print, sign and scan Form 888 explain preparing it for upload.
Can someone help write a Form 888?
Yes, someone can help write a Form 888 through typing, layout or translation into English, but the account must remain the supporter’s own.
Section 276(3) of the Migration Act 1958 excludes merely doing clerical work or providing translation to prepare a document from “immigration assistance”.
Home Affairs’ “Providing accurate information” page gives a general document warning: “Do not modify or create documents using digital editing tools, artificial intelligence (AI), or any other method.” This is not a claim that supporters cannot receive help.
This guide’s position is that couples should explain the questions, not draft answers, circulate templates or have a tool write statements—the do-not-copy box explains why. If unsure of a date, write “about” with an honest month or season rather than borrow someone else’s date.
Will Home Affairs contact a supporter?
Yes, Home Affairs may contact a supporter: Form 888 says, “You may also be contacted for further comment and/or interview in relation to the information you provide.”
Form 888 also says a supporter “may be asked to submit up to 3 separate statements during the processing of the visa application”. Section 56 of the Migration Act 1958 permits obtaining relevant information and inviting the applicant to provide more.
Providing an email address agrees to electronic contact under Form 888, so follow-up can come by email. Keep the statement and attachments, as the form advises, to refer to when answering.
What happens if a Form 888 is weak or false?
What happens if a Form 888 is weak or false depends on which it is; there are three consequences to understand.
Weak or vague: it provides little detail about social aspects. Form 888 permits follow-up comment, interview and up to three statements; section 56 of the Migration Act 1958 permits seeking more information.
False or misleading—for the supporter: Form 888 cites section 234(1)(b) of the Migration Act 1958, which prohibits knowingly making a statement false or misleading in a material particular. The penalty for a false Form 888 guide explains the maximum and the form’s printed warning.
False or misleading—for the applicant: Schedule 4 PIC 4020 of the Migration Regulations 1994 applies to subclasses 820, 801, 309, 100 and 300. Materially false or misleading information can lead to refusal and affect later applications for three years, subject to the criterion’s waiver provisions. Home Affairs’ “Providing accurate information” page also names cancellation, future application restrictions and possible legal action.
Why a migration lawyer reads every Form 888 side by side
A migration lawyer reads every Form 888 side by side with the couple’s evidence to flag conflicting dates, identical wording and vague answers before lodgement.
False or misleading information can lead to refusal under Schedule 4 PIC 4020 of the Migration Regulations 1994. Before lodgement, a lawyer can identify discrepancies for clarification and missing evidence for checking—not predict a grant.
To ask how a migration lawyer compares Form 888 evidence, send an enquiry to an Australian migration lawyer.
The couple's own account of the relationship
The couple’s own account of the relationship is separate from their Form 888s: Home Affairs’ 820 and 309 visa pages ask the applicant to “Tell us in writing about” the relationship history.
Dates, places and events should agree, while each supporter describes only their own knowledge in their own words. The guide to the relationship statement and the Form 888s explains keeping these accounts in step.
The couple’s account provides context for the purpose of Form 888: Home Affairs uses supporters’ first-hand views, among other things, to assess the relationship’s social aspects.