Should My Partner and I Write Separate Relationship Statements?

Should we write one relationship statement or two?

A couple should prepare one relationship statement for a partner visa, written together or with each partner contributing their own sections. Two unconnected statements are not required and often create problems, because small differences in dates or events can look like inconsistencies. Our guide to the partner visa relationship statement explains how a strong statement is structured.

How can both partners contribute to one relationship statement?

Both partners can contribute to one relationship statement by agreeing the timeline first, then each writing the parts they experienced most directly, such as how they met, the decision to live together or the sponsor's family meeting the applicant. The combined text is then checked line by line against the evidence. Our article on writing a relationship statement for a partner visa gives practical guidance on this process.

Does the sponsor need to contribute to the relationship statement?

The sponsor does not have to write a separate statement, but the relationship statement is stronger when the sponsor contributes. The sponsor is often best placed to explain matters the Department checks closely, such as previous relationships, earlier sponsorships, the couple's plans to live in Australia and how the sponsor's family has accepted the relationship. A statement written entirely from the applicant's point of view can leave these matters thin, so couples should decide early which parts each partner will write.

Are the four aspects of the relationship separate statements?

The four aspects of the relationship are not separate statements. They are the matters the Department must consider under the regulations: the financial aspects, the nature of the household, the social aspects and the nature of the commitment. A good relationship statement addresses each aspect within the one narrative, and the documents then prove it. Our article on the partner visa four pillars explains each aspect and the evidence that supports it.

What if we remember events differently?

If a couple remembers events differently, the relationship statement should record the agreed facts and, where genuine differences remain, explain them honestly rather than forcing one version. Interviews and section 57 letters often focus on inconsistencies, so differences are better addressed before lodgement. Our article on conflicting statements explains how the Department treats them.

How is the relationship statement different from Form 888 statements?

The relationship statement is the couple's own account of their relationship, while Form 888 statements are supporting statements from friends or family who know the couple. Form 888 is not a statutory declaration, although it must be completed accurately and signed. Our articles on Form 888 for a partner visa and on when partner visa statutory declarations are actually needed explain the difference.

How does My Migration Lawyers prepare a couple's relationship statement?

My Migration Lawyers prepares a couple's relationship statement by interviewing both partners, building a single agreed timeline from their documents, and then helping them write a statement in their own words that covers each aspect the Department assesses. The firm checks every date against the evidence and against earlier visa applications, so the statement supports the application rather than opening new questions. Couples can learn about our partner visa lawyers and request help through the form on this page.