Free Template

Bona Fide Marriage Affidavit Sample and Template

A bona fide marriage affidavit is a sworn letter from someone who knows you and your spouse, confirming from personal knowledge that your marriage is real. Couples submit it with Form I-130 or I-485 as supporting evidence, especially when joint financial records are still thin. It is free, and the person who knows you signs it, not you.

Free to copy and download · Last updated July 2026

At a glance

What it is: A sworn statement from a third party who knows the couple, supporting that the marriage is genuine
Who signs it: A friend, relative, neighbor, or coworker with personal knowledge of your relationship, never the applicant
When to use it: As supporting evidence with Form I-130 or I-485, alongside stronger financial and residential proof
Cost: Free
Notarized?: Optional. USCIS accepts statements sworn under penalty of perjury (28 U.S.C. § 1746); a notarized signature adds weight

Third-party affidavit of a bona fide marriage

Highlighted [fields] are placeholders to replace with your own details. Switch to the filled example to see how it reads when complete.

AFFIDAVIT IN SUPPORT OF A BONA FIDE MARRIAGE

I, [Your Full Legal Name], residing at [Your Full Address], being of sound mind and over 18 years of age, declare the following under penalty of perjury:

1. I am a [U.S. citizen / lawful permanent resident / other status], and I am [not related to / the [relationship, e.g. sister] of] [Spouse 1 Full Name] and [Spouse 2 Full Name].

2. I have personally known [Spouse 1 First Name] since [Month, Year] and [Spouse 2 First Name] since [Month, Year]. I came to know them through [how you know them, e.g. we attended the same university / we are neighbors / we work together].

3. I have personal knowledge that [Spouse 1 First Name] and [Spouse 2 First Name] met in [Month, Year] and married on [Marriage Date] in [City, State].

4. Based on my own observations, I know their marriage to be real and genuine. I have witnessed the following: [describe specific things you have seen, e.g. they live together at [address]; I have shared holidays and meals in their home; I attended their wedding; I have seen them support each other through [event]; they refer to each other as husband and wife].

5. To the best of my knowledge, [Spouse 1 First Name] and [Spouse 2 First Name] entered into their marriage in good faith and not for the purpose of obtaining any immigration benefit.

I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States that the foregoing is true and correct.

_______________________________
Signature of Affiant

[Your Full Legal Name]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]
Date: [Date]

- - - - - Optional notary block - - - - -
State of ______________   County of ______________
Subscribed and sworn to before me this ____ day of __________, 20____.

_______________________________
Notary Public    My commission expires: __________

AFFIDAVIT IN SUPPORT OF A BONA FIDE MARRIAGE

I, Maria Elena Gonzalez, residing at 482 Larkspur Lane, Austin, TX 78702, being of sound mind and over 18 years of age, declare the following under penalty of perjury:

1. I am a U.S. citizen, and I am not related to David Rivera and Ana Rivera.

2. I have personally known David since September 2018 and Ana since March 2021. I came to know them because David and I have worked together at Brightwater Design Studio for six years, and I met Ana when David introduced her to our team.

3. I have personal knowledge that David and Ana met in January 2021 through a mutual friend and married on June 12, 2022 in Austin, Texas.

4. Based on my own observations, I know their marriage to be real and genuine. I have witnessed the following: they live together at 1190 Cedar Point Drive, Austin, TX; I have shared dinners and holidays in their home, including Thanksgiving 2022 and 2023; I attended their wedding in June 2022; I saw Ana care for David after his knee surgery in early 2023; and they consistently refer to each other as husband and wife.

5. To the best of my knowledge, David and Ana entered into their marriage in good faith and not for the purpose of obtaining any immigration benefit.

I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States that the foregoing is true and correct.

_______________________________
Signature of Affiant

Maria Elena Gonzalez
(512) 555-0147
maria.gonzalez@example.com
Date: March 3, 2026

How to use it

1Pick the right person: someone who knows you both well and can describe specific, real things they have seen, not just that you seem happy.
2Have the affiant write in their own voice. Copy the structure, then replace every bracketed placeholder with real names, dates, and firsthand details.
3Be specific in item 4. Concrete observations (shared holidays, the wedding, day-to-day life) carry far more weight than general praise.
4The affiant signs and dates it. Signing before a notary is optional but strengthens it.
5Submit two to four affidavits from different types of people (a friend, a relative, a coworker) rather than many from the same circle.

What to put in each field

[U.S. citizen / lawful permanent resident / other status]: The affiant's own status. It is fine if they are not a citizen; personal knowledge of your relationship is what matters.
how you know them: State the real connection and how long you have known each spouse. Longer, closer knowledge is more persuasive.
item 4 observations: The heart of the affidavit. List things the affiant personally saw or did with the couple, with rough dates.
penalty of perjury clause: Keep this line exactly. It is what makes the statement a sworn declaration USCIS can rely on under 28 U.S.C. § 1746.
notary block: Optional. If used, the affiant must sign in front of the notary, not beforehand.

Common mistakes

Letting the applicant write it
The affidavit must come from a third party in their own words. A letter that reads like the couple wrote it undercuts its value.
Vague praise instead of facts
“They are a lovely couple” proves nothing. USCIS wants specific, firsthand observations with dates and details.
Relying on affidavits as your main evidence
Affidavits are supporting evidence. On their own they are weak. Lead with joint finances, a shared lease, and tax returns, and use affidavits to round out the picture.
Only using relatives
Family affidavits count, but a mix that also includes friends, neighbors, or coworkers reads as more objective.
Forgetting the perjury statement
Without the “under penalty of perjury” language, the letter is just an unsworn note and carries little evidentiary weight.

How a third-party affidavit compares to other bona fide marriage evidence

Evidence type	Strength	Why USCIS weighs it this way
Joint tax returns (filed jointly)	Strongest	A long, third-party-verifiable paper trail that is hard to fabricate
Joint bank accounts, lease, or deed	Strong	Shows real financial and residential commingling
Photos, travel, and messages over time	Moderate	Documents the relationship, but easier to assemble selectively
Third-party affidavits	Supporting	Corroborates the above; persuasive in combination, weak on its own

Frequently asked questions

What is a bona fide marriage affidavit?

It is a sworn letter from a third party, a friend, relative, neighbor, or coworker, who knows the couple and confirms from personal knowledge that the marriage is genuine. It is submitted with Form I-130 or I-485 as supporting evidence that the marriage is real and not entered into for immigration benefits.

Who can write an affidavit for a marriage green card?

Anyone over 18 who personally knows the couple and can describe specific things they have witnessed. The affiant does not need to be a U.S. citizen. The applicant and the sponsoring spouse should not write it themselves; the value comes from an independent third party's account.

Does a marriage affidavit need to be notarized?

No. USCIS accepts written statements made under penalty of perjury under 28 U.S.C. § 1746, so a signed and dated affidavit that includes that language is valid without a notary. Notarizing it is optional and can add weight, but it is not required.

How many affidavits should we submit?

Two to four strong affidavits from different types of people carry more weight than many from the same circle. Aim for a mix, such as one friend, one relative, and one coworker or neighbor, each describing firsthand observations.

Can a family member write the affidavit?

Yes. Parents, siblings, and other relatives can serve as affiants, and their long-term knowledge of the couple is valuable. Including at least one non-relative alongside them makes the overall set read as more objective.

Is an affidavit strong enough on its own?

No. Affidavits are supporting evidence. USCIS gives the most weight to joint financial records, joint tax returns, accounts, and a shared lease or mortgage. Use affidavits to reinforce that foundation, not replace it.

Key takeaways

A bona fide marriage affidavit is a sworn, third-party letter confirming your marriage is real.
The person who knows you signs it, never the applicant or the sponsoring spouse.
Specific, firsthand observations beat general praise every time.
USCIS accepts it under penalty of perjury (28 U.S.C. § 1746); notarizing is optional.
Treat affidavits as backup to joint financial evidence, not a substitute for it.

This is a general educational example, not legal advice. Green Card Genius is not a law firm and does not provide legal representation. Adapt it to your own facts, and consult a licensed immigration attorney for advice on your specific case. Green Card Genius guides you to complete and file your own forms; see our Terms.

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