This article is about the statutory declarations that the visa applicant and sponsor write to support their partner visa application (sometimes referred to your partner visa personal statements). They no longer have to be statutory declarations but many couples elect for the statements to be so.
If you would like information on the Form 888 to be completed by your friends and family, you can read our dedicated article here: https://partnervisaco.com.au/form-888/
For a statutory declaration partner visa sponsor , you are best to use the Commonwealth Statutory Declaration template, which can be found here.
If you aren’t in Australia, you should use the equivalent in your country.
The Department does provide partner visa statutory declaration templates for the sponsor and the partner visa applicant but you don’t have to use these. You can write your own statement and just use the blank Commonwealth Statutory Declaration.
Your relationship statements for a partner visa need to cover:
Yes! The documents that you provide should be consistent with the information you provide in your statements. You can also reference documents for further information within your statements.
Yes! Both the visa applicant and the sponsor need to write separate statements, from their own perspective and in their own words. While the information included in both will be similar, it will not be the same.
If your partner is not confident to write their statement in English, that’s fine. They can write in whatever language they are most comfortable in. The statement will then have to be translated into English by an accredited translator. You can find out who can translate your documents here: https://partnervisaco.com.au/need-translate-documents-english-can-translating/
You need to write factually and from the heart.
Make sure you address all of these points:
Let’s break it down.
You should discuss how you met, what the early stages of your relationship was like, when it got serious, what your relationship is like now and what you plan for the future.
What joint finances do you have? How do you share financial responsibility? Have you made any big purchases together?
You should discuss the length of your relationship and why and how you are committed to each other. What future plans do you have together?
What do you like to do together? Do you have joint activities? Do you see your friends and family? The Department wants to know, as a couple, how you spend your time.
For checklists, templates, guidance and advice on exactly how you should write your statements (as well as the rest of the partner visa application) check out our exclusive Partner Visa Self-Lodgement Support Package.