Proving a relationship to USCIS
Affidavit of relationship: sample letter
Last updated 2026-10-01
“Affidavit of relationship” usually means a sworn letter from someone who knows a couple, confirming their relationship is genuine — used for marriage-based I-130 and I-751 cases. It is also the name of an official State Department form (DS-7656) in the refugee family-reunification program, which is a different thing entirely and is filed through a resettlement agency.
Which “affidavit of relationship” do you need?
- A letter about a couple (marriage green card, removal of conditions): a third-party affidavit describing what the writer has seen of the relationship. That is what this page covers.
- Form DS-7656, Affidavit of Relationship (AOR): an official form used by refugees and asylees in the U.S. to claim certain family members overseas for the Priority 3 family-reunification category of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program. It is completed with a resettlement agency, not written as a letter. Refugee processing has been subject to major policy changes, so contact a resettlement agency or attorney for current status.
- Your own statement about your relationship: sometimes called a declaration or personal statement. Different from third-party affidavits; ask an attorney if you think you need one.
What a relationship affidavit must contain
For marriage cases, the I-130 and I-751 instructions describe affidavits “sworn to or affirmed by” people with personal knowledge of the relationship. Each must include:
- the writer’s full name and address;
- the writer’s date and place of birth;
- their relationship to the couple, if any (stated explicitly in the I-751 instructions); and
- complete information and details explaining how they know about the relationship.
Sample affidavit of relationship from a neighbor
Neighbors are underrated writers: they see couples in daily life, often with no stake in the outcome. Fictional names and details.
AFFIDAVIT OF RELATIONSHIP Submitted by Gloria Washington regarding Ahmed Karimi and Emily Foster
Full name: Gloria Jean Washington Address: 61 Birch Court, Raleigh, NC 27607 Date of birth: April 12, 1958 Place of birth: Durham, North Carolina Relationship: Next-door neighbor; no family relationship Phone: (919) 555-0175
I am a retired nurse. I have lived at 61 Birch Court for twenty-six years. In August 2024, Ahmed Karimi and Emily Foster moved into the house next door, number 63. I helped them carry in a dresser on the day they moved in, and they introduced themselves to me as husband and wife.
Since then I have seen them almost every day. They leave for work around the same time each morning, usually in Emily’s car, and on weekends they work in the garden together — Ahmed planted the tomato beds along our shared fence last spring, and Emily brings me the extra tomatoes. They watch my cat when I visit my daughter in Charlotte, and I have a key to their house to water their plants when they travel, which they did in December 2025 to visit Ahmed’s family.
In February 2026, during an ice storm, our power went out for two days. Ahmed and Emily invited me to stay with them because they have a gas fireplace. I slept in their guest room for two nights and saw them cooking together, taking turns checking on the older neighbors on our street, and generally running their household as a team.
I have no family relationship with either of them and no reason to write this other than that I know them as a married couple and good neighbors.
I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct. Executed on ______________ (date) at Raleigh, North Carolina. ______________________________ Gloria Washington
Why a neighbor’s affidavit is useful
- Daily observation: shared routines, a shared home, how the couple handles ordinary life.
- Neutrality: the writer states no family relationship and no stake.
- Verifiable details: move-in date, the ice storm, the trip — easy to match against a lease, utility bills and travel records.
How to ask someone for an affidavit
- Ask early. Give writers two to three weeks, especially if they need to find a notary or a translator.
- Tell them what USCIS asks for: full name and address, date and place of birth, relationship, and how they know you — and that they may be contacted.
- Remind them of real dates and events they were part of, but let them choose what to write about. Never ask anyone to include something they did not see.
- Offer a draft only as a starting point. The writer should change it until it sounds like them and is accurate to their memory.
- Ask for the signed original if you are filing on paper, and keep a copy for yourself.
Writers who feel stuck usually do better when they answer three questions in their own words: When did you first meet us? What have you seen us do together? What happened the last time you spent time with us?
Other good writers
- Friends who see you regularly — friend affidavit sample
- Parents and relatives — family affidavit sample
- Coworkers who have met both spouses at work events
- Landlords, religious leaders, or the friend who introduced you — I-130 sample
Frequently asked questions
Is an affidavit of relationship the same as an affidavit of support?
No. An “affidavit of support” in immigration usually means Form I-864, a financial sponsorship form. An affidavit of relationship describes a relationship.
Can unmarried couples use relationship affidavits?
Letters from people who know a couple are used in several types of cases, including fiancé(e) cases. Follow the specific instructions for the form or visa you are applying for.
Who files Form DS-7656?
A refugee or asylee in the United States, working with a resettlement agency, to claim qualifying family members for the refugee program’s P-3 category. It is not written as a letter.
Does a relationship affidavit need a notary?
Not necessarily. A statement signed under penalty of perjury under 28 U.S.C. § 1746 is common. See the notarization guide.
Related
Sources
- USCIS, Form I-130 Instructions (edition 04/01/24), documentation of a bona fide marriage, item 5
- USCIS, Form I-751 Instructions (edition 04/01/24), "Evidence of the Relationship," item 5
- 28 U.S.C. § 1746 — unsworn declarations under penalty of perjury
Sample letters on this page use fictional names and details. This page is general information, not legal advice. GreenCard Letters is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Not affiliated with USCIS or any government agency. If your case involves a prior denial, a waiver, removal proceedings, or criminal history, talk to an immigration attorney.