What is a support letter?
It's a written statement from someone who knows the couple and can explain, in their own words, why they know the marriage is real. It's often called an affidavit or letter of support.
USCIS accepts it as supporting evidence: it adds to your case, but it doesn't replace the main proof, such as joint bank accounts, a lease or mortgage in both names, insurance, or photos together over time.
Who can write it?
Anyone who knows you as a couple: friends, relatives, neighbors, coworkers or your wedding sponsors. What matters is that they write about what they saw personally, not what they were told.
We recommend asking for 2 or 3 letters from different people, ideally people who see you often.
What must it include?
According to the USCIS instructions, each letter must have:
- Full name and address of the writer.
- Date and place of birth of the writer.
- Their relationship to you: friend, brother, neighbor, coworker.
- How and when they met you, and how they know the relationship is real, with specific details.
To make it more complete, we also add:
- A closing statement that everything is true, under penalty of perjury, with signature and date.
- Phone or email in case USCIS wants to contact the writer.
How to write it, step by step
A good support letter is short, clear and fits on one page. This is the structure:
- Header: the writer's name, address, phone and email, and the date.
- Recipient and subject: "U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services" and a line naming the couple the letter supports.
- Introduction: who they are, when and where they were born, and their relationship to the couple.
- How they know you: when and where they met each of you, and how often they see you.
- What they've seen: two or three specific examples, with dates and places.
- Closing: why they believe the marriage is real, and their contact details.
- Statement and signature: the penalty-of-perjury sentence, signature, name and date.
Tips to make the letter count
Specific details, not adjectives. What convinces is what the person actually saw.
- Each letter, unique. Don't reuse the same text: each person tells their own story with you.
- Only true information. The writer signs under penalty of perjury.
- Short and clear. One page is usually enough.
Does it need to be notarized?
It's not required. If the letter includes the penalty-of-perjury statement, signature and date, there's no need for a notary. If the writer prefers to notarize it, that's fine too.
What language?
English. If the writer uses another language, attach a complete English translation with the translator's certification that they're fluent in both languages and the translation is accurate.
Where does it go?
With the rest of your relationship evidence, in your application package: the family petition and adjustment of status (I-130 / I-485) or the removal of conditions (I-751). You can also bring it to your interview.
Download the free template
Ready to print and fill in by hand, in English, with the structure explained above. Share it with the people writing your letters.
This article is general information only: it is not legal advice and may not reflect the most recent changes. Made Simple is a document preparation service; we are not attorneys.