Marriage-based green cards
Affidavit of bona fide marriage: sample letter
Last updated 2026-10-01
An affidavit of bona fide marriage is a sworn statement from someone who knows a couple personally, describing what they have seen that shows the marriage is real. USCIS lists these third-party affidavits as supporting evidence for I-130 and I-751, and asks that each include the writer’s full name and address, date and place of birth, and complete details on how they know about the marriage.
What “bona fide marriage” means here
In a marriage-based green card case, USCIS has to be satisfied that the couple married to build a life together, not to obtain immigration benefits. That is what “bona fide” (good-faith) means. The strongest evidence is documentary — a shared lease or mortgage, joint bank accounts, insurance naming each other, children’s birth certificates. Affidavits from people who know the couple fill in the human picture around those documents.
Both the Form I-130 instructions (for spouses) and the Form I-751 instructions list “affidavits sworn to or affirmed by third parties having personal knowledge of the bona fides of the marital relationship” among the types of evidence you can submit.
What each affidavit should contain
- Full name and address of the writer.
- Date and place of birth of the writer.
- Relationship to the petitioner or beneficiary (for I-751, the instructions list this explicitly).
- Complete information and details explaining how the writer acquired their knowledge of the marriage — when they met the couple, how often they see them, and specific things they witnessed.
- A sworn statement or notarization, a handwritten signature and a date.
- Contact details, so an officer can follow up if needed (not required, but common and helpful).
Sample affidavit of bona fide marriage (from a sibling)
This sample is written by the petitioner’s sister for an I-130/I-485 filing. All names and details are fictional — use only facts the real writer knows first-hand.
AFFIDAVIT OF RACHEL NGUYEN IN SUPPORT OF THE MARRIAGE OF MICHAEL NGUYEN AND CAMILA REYES
Full name: Rachel Thu Nguyen Address: 2207 Maple Ridge Drive, Plano, TX 75023 Date of birth: November 2, 1987 Place of birth: San Jose, California Relationship: Sister of the petitioner, Michael Nguyen Phone: (972) 555-0188
I am Michael Nguyen’s older sister. I am a pharmacist and a U.S. citizen, and I live about fifteen minutes from Michael and his wife, Camila Reyes.
Michael first introduced me to Camila in October 2023, when he brought her to our family’s Thanksgiving dinner at my house. She arrived with a tray of empanadas and spent most of the evening in the kitchen with our mother, who does not speak much English; Camila used a translation app on her phone so the two of them could talk about recipes. After that, Michael brought her to almost every family gathering.
I attended their wedding on June 8, 2024, at the Plano courthouse, and the small dinner afterward at a restaurant on Legacy Drive. I signed as one of their witnesses.
Since the wedding they have lived together in an apartment on Coit Road. I have been there many times. I babysit their dog when they travel, and when I pick him up I see their shared life — both their names on the mail on the counter, Camila’s work badge next to Michael’s keys, their wedding photo on the shelf. Camila calls me most weeks, usually to ask what to cook for Michael’s birthday or to plan something for our mother.
When our father was in the hospital in February 2025, Michael and Camila took turns staying with him overnight so that our mother could sleep. Camila drove our mother to and from the hospital for most of that week.
I know from what I have personally seen that Michael and Camila share a home, share their families, and rely on each other. I am available to answer questions about this statement.
I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct. Executed on ______________ (date). ______________________________ Rachel Nguyen
What makes a bona fide marriage letter persuasive
- Concrete scenes over adjectives. “Camila drove our mother to the hospital” beats “Camila is a wonderful daughter-in-law.”
- A timeline. When the writer met each spouse, the wedding, moving in, big events since. Officers compare this timeline with your other evidence and interview answers.
- Honest framing of what was seen versus heard. If the writer only knows something because the couple told them, they should say so.
- The writer’s own voice. A pharmacist sister and a college roommate should not sound the same.
- No legal conclusions. The writer describes; the officer decides.
Third-party affidavit vs. your own statement
People searching for an “affidavit of bona fide marriage” sometimes mean a statement written by the spouses themselves. That is a different document: in some cases — for example an I-751 filed alone after divorce, or a case with thin documentary evidence — the applicant writes a personal declaration telling the story of the relationship. If you are in one of those situations, an immigration attorney is worth the consultation. This page covers letters from other people who know the couple.
Which form is the letter for?
- I-130 / I-485 (getting the green card): letters often come from people who knew the couple before and around the wedding. See the I-130 affidavit sample.
- I-751 (removing conditions, about two years later): the instructions focus on people who have known both spouses since conditional residence was granted. See the I-751 affidavit sample.
- Consular processing: couples abroad sometimes include similar letters with their case or bring them to the interview. Follow the instructions you receive from the National Visa Center or consulate.
Common mistakes
- Missing the writer’s date and place of birth or full address.
- Every letter in the package sharing the same structure and sentences.
- Claims the writer could not know, such as how the couple splits bills.
- Exaggeration — “they never argue,” “the perfect couple.” Real marriages are not perfect, and officers know it.
- Dates that contradict the lease, photos or interview answers.
Frequently asked questions
Is an affidavit of bona fide marriage required?
No. It is optional supporting evidence. It is most helpful when documentary evidence is limited, but it should always accompany documents, not replace them.
How many bona fide marriage affidavits should I submit?
The I-751 instructions mention at least two when you use them. Couples commonly include two to four from different people — for example two friends and one relative.
Does a bona fide marriage affidavit need to be notarized?
Not necessarily. A statement signed under penalty of perjury under 28 U.S.C. § 1746 can stand in for a sworn affidavit in federal matters. Many people still notarize to remove any doubt. See the notarization guide.
Can a non-citizen write a bona fide marriage affidavit?
Yes. The writer’s immigration status is not part of the listed requirements. What matters is personal knowledge of the marriage.
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.