Affidavit of Witness of Marriage
What Is This Document?
An Affidavit of Witness of Marriage is a sworn statement from someone who witnessed a marriage ceremony. It confirms that the marriage took place, who was married, and when and where the ceremony occurred. This is commonly required by USCIS when processing immigration petitions for a Vietnamese spouse.
When You Need This
- Filing Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) for a Vietnamese spouse
- Applying for a spousal immigrant visa (IR-1/CR-1) at the US Embassy in Vietnam
- Proving the validity of a marriage to USCIS when the marriage certificate alone is questioned
- Supporting a green card application (Form I-485) based on marriage
Two Versions Available
- English Only: For use in US legal and immigration proceedings.
- Bilingual Vietnamese & English: For witnesses who are Vietnamese speakers. Both parties can fully understand what they are signing.
Who Should Sign as Witness?
The witness should be someone who was physically present at the wedding ceremony — a family member, friend, or wedding guest. The more credible and detailed the witness statement, the better. USCIS looks favorably on witnesses who can describe specific details of the ceremony.
Instructions
- Fill in the names of both spouses, the date of marriage, and the location.
- The witness completes their section with their full name, relationship to the couple, and contact information.
- Sign before a notary public. For immigration purposes, notarization is strongly recommended.
- Submit with your marriage certificate and other supporting evidence (wedding photos, guest list, etc.).
Frequently Asked Questions
How many witnesses do I need?
USCIS typically wants at least two witnesses for a marriage affidavit. More witnesses with detailed statements strengthen your case significantly.
What if the witnesses are in Vietnam and can't get to a US notary?
Witnesses in Vietnam can have the document notarized at a Vietnamese notary office (Phòng Công Chứng) or at the US Embassy/Consulate. The bilingual version makes this easier for Vietnamese-speaking witnesses.
Is this enough to prove my marriage is real?
This affidavit is one piece of evidence. USCIS expects a package of evidence including your marriage certificate, wedding photos, joint financial records, communication history, and these witness statements together.
