Proving Your Marriage is Real: The I-751 Affidavit
When filing Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence, you need compelling evidence that your marriage to a US citizen or lawful permanent resident is genuine. While documents like joint bank statements and leases are crucial, affidavits from friends who can attest to your relationship are powerful supplemental support. These letters provide firsthand accounts of your life as a married couple, lending credibility to your case. This guide provides sample letters in PDF format to help your friends write effective affidavits.
What Makes a Strong I-751 Affidavit?
A strong affidavit isn’t just a character reference; it’s a detailed narrative. It should include the friend’s name, address, and contact information, along with their relationship to you and your spouse. More importantly, it must describe specific instances where the friend witnessed your marriage, demonstrating its authenticity. This could include attending your wedding, observing your interactions at social gatherings, or hearing about your shared life goals and challenges. Avoid generic statements and focus on providing concrete examples. The letter should be notarized for added weight.
Accessing and Using the Sample Affidavit Letters (PDF)
We’ve compiled several sample affidavit letters in PDF format to guide your friends. These samples cover different scenarios and relationship dynamics, providing a starting point for crafting personalized affidavits. Remember: These are templates only. Your friends should adapt them to reflect their unique experiences and observations of your marriage. Don’t simply copy and paste; genuine, heartfelt accounts are what USCIS is looking for. The PDF includes guidance on what to include and what to avoid.
Download Your I-751 Affidavit Letter Samples (PDF)
Ready to help your friends draft compelling affidavits? Click the link below to download our comprehensive PDF guide containing seven (7) sample I-751 affidavit letters from friends. Each sample provides a different angle and includes best practices for strengthening your I-751 petition and prove to USCIS that the marriage is bonafide. Use these examples as a valuable resource in building a strong case and removing the conditions on your residency. Download Now!
Conclusion: Leverage Affidavits for I-751 Success
Affidavits from friends are a valuable tool in demonstrating the legitimacy of your marriage for the I-751 petition. By providing detailed, personalized accounts of your relationship, these letters can significantly strengthen your case and increase your chances of success. Use our sample letters in the PDF as a foundation, but ensure each affidavit reflects the unique perspective of the friend writing it, making your case more convincing to USCIS.
I-751 Affidavit Letter Samples:
Sample 1: Friend Attending Wedding
[Date]
USCIS
[USCIS Address]
Re: Form I-751 Affidavit for [Your Name] and [Spouse’s Name]
To Whom It May Concern,
My name is [Friend’s Name], and I am a friend of both [Your Name] and [Spouse’s Name]. I have known [Your Name] for [Number] years and [Spouse’s Name] for [Number] years. I attended their wedding on [Date of Wedding] at [Location of Wedding]. I remember [Specific detail about the wedding, e.g., the emotional vows, the joy shared between the couple]. It was clear from that day that they were deeply in love and committed to building a life together.
Sample 2: Friend Witnessing Daily Life
[Date]
USCIS
[USCIS Address]
Re: Form I-751 Affidavit for [Your Name] and [Spouse’s Name]
To Whom It May Concern,
My name is [Friend’s Name], and I am a close friend of [Your Name] and [Spouse’s Name]. I have known them as a couple for approximately [Number] years. I often spend time with them at their home and have witnessed their daily interactions. I have seen them [Specific example, e.g., cooking together, supporting each other through difficult times, planning their future]. Their relationship is based on mutual respect, love, and a shared vision for the future.
Sample 3: Friend Knowing Couple Since Before Marriage
[Date]
USCIS
[USCIS Address]
Re: Form I-751 Affidavit for [Your Name] and [Spouse’s Name]
To Whom It May Concern,
My name is [Friend’s Name], and I have known [Your Name] since [Year] and [Spouse’s Name] since they started dating in [Year]. I witnessed their relationship blossom from friendship to deep love. I remember when [Spouse’s Name] [Specific detail about their dating period, e.g., talked about their feelings for Your Name, shared excitement about their future together]. It was evident even then that they were meant to be together.
Sample 4: Friend Observing Couple’s Challenges
[Date]
USCIS
[USCIS Address]
Re: Form I-751 Affidavit for [Your Name] and [Spouse’s Name]
To Whom It May Concern,
My name is [Friend’s Name], and I am a friend of [Your Name] and [Spouse’s Name]. I have been a part of their lives for [Number] years, and I have witnessed them navigate challenges as a couple. I recall when they [Specific example of a challenge they faced together, e.g., dealt with a family illness, managed financial difficulties]. The way they supported each other through these times demonstrated the strength and commitment of their marriage.
Sample 5: Friend Describing Couple’s Social Interactions
[Date]
USCIS
[USCIS Address]
Re: Form I-751 Affidavit for [Your Name] and [Spouse’s Name]
To Whom It May Concern,
My name is [Friend’s Name], and I am a friend of [Your Name] and [Spouse’s Name]. I regularly see them at social gatherings and have observed their interactions with each other and with others. They always [Specific detail about their social interactions, e.g., introduce each other with pride, support each other’s opinions, act as a team]. They are clearly a loving and supportive couple within our social circle.
Sample 6: Friend Emphasizing Shared Goals
[Date]
USCIS
[USCIS Address]
Re: Form I-751 Affidavit for [Your Name] and [Spouse’s Name]
To Whom It May Concern,
My name is [Friend’s Name], and I am a friend of [Your Name] and [Spouse’s Name]. I have discussed their future plans with them on several occasions. They both [Specific example of their shared goals, e.g., want to buy a house together, plan to start a family, have career aspirations that support each other]. Their shared goals are a testament to their commitment to a long and happy life together.
Sample 7: Friend’s Overall Impression
[Date]
USCIS
[USCIS Address]
Re: Form I-751 Affidavit for [Your Name] and [Spouse’s Name]
To Whom It May Concern,
My name is [Friend’s Name], and I am a friend of [Your Name] and [Spouse’s Name]. After knowing them as a couple for [Number] years, I can confidently say that their marriage is genuine and based on love, respect, and commitment. I have personally witnessed their [Summarize key observations from other examples, e.g., support for each other, shared laughter, and unwavering dedication to their relationship]. I have no doubt that they are a happily married couple and intend to remain so for many years to come.