Writing a Reference Letter for Immigration Marriage in the U.S.
Writing a reference letter for a marriage involving a foreign national can be an incredibly important aspect of the immigration process. Here’s how to write a reference letter for an immigration marriage in the United States.
When at least one partner in a soon-to-be-married couple is a foreign national, the couple must prove to immigration agencies such as USCIS that the marriage is genuine. This can be accomplished via a reference letter from a person who knows the couple very well. A reference letter for a marriage involving an immigrant should include some information about the letter writer, but should primarily focus on how the letter writer knows the couple and observations that the letter writer has made that suggest that the marriage is genuine.
What is a Reference Letter for Immigration Marriage?
Marriages between a U.S. citizen and a foreign national are closely scrutinized by USCIS, or the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. This is because marriage is a relatively easy path for an immigrant to obtain permanent residence status in the United States, and so it is likely that some occasional fraud will be attempted.
Related: Divorce Due to Immigration Fraud
In keeping with this scrutiny, USCIS requires proof that marriage involving a foreign national is genuine, which means that it was entered into in good faith and not for the purpose of circumventing immigration laws. One way that a couple may prove that their marriage is genuine is by providing a reference letter written by a person who knows the couple well. This letter will assert that the writer believes that the marriage is sought due to love and provide details and information to support this assertion.
How to Write a Reference Letter for an Immigration Marriage
First, it must be ensured that the couple selects a person that knows the couple well, such as a close friend, church leader, or other community leader. The closer the relationship, the stronger the evidence will be.
The writer should begin the letter by indicating their name, address, and date/place of birth. Then, they should write the address of the receiver as well as their name (if known). The subject line should include the full names of the couple in question, such as “Subject: The Marriage of (name) and (name)”. Begin the letter by addressing it to the name of the receiver. If unknown, begin by stating “To Whom it May Concern”.
The first paragraph should include information about the letter writer, such as their profession and how they know the couple in question. While the introduction should not be too long, having more details will help prove the validity of the letter. In addition, the introduction should specifically include how long they have known the couple. The longer this length of time, the better, so couples should make sure that they ask someone whom they have known for a long time. Make sure to include the full names of the couple in this section as well.
The body should be divided into a few paragraphs that describe how the letter writer knows that the marriage is genuine. This will be specific to each letter, but every letter should include details that suggest that the couple is genuinely in love. This can include details regarding their interactions, their hobbies, or other relevant information. A short story may be useful in this part as well if it clearly demonstrates the love of the couple. In addition, the writer should state how often they interact with the couple so that the judge has a sense of the relationship between the writer and the couple. This section should also include an explicit statement that the letter writer believes the couple to be genuinely in love.
Finally, the letter should be notarized so that the judge will know that it is not fraudulent. This can be accomplished by visiting a notary public.
While it may be useful to consult an online template, it must be noted that the letter should be in the personal style of the writer. If a letter seems too formulaic, the immigration officer may become suspicious of the letter and take it with a grain of salt. It also must be noted that the letter will serve as a testimonial, and the letter writer may be called to testify in person regarding details in the letter. Therefore, the letter must contain information that the writer believes to be true, or the writer may face perjury charges.
How to Write an Immigration Letter of Marriage Support
If filing a Form I-751 in order to remove conditions on an immigrant’s green card, the couple will again need proof that the marriage is genuine. While a letter of support may not be enough by itself to provide this proof, it can help support other evidence such as joint bank accounts and the fact that the couple has children together (if applicable). The letter will not serve as proof; it will merely fill gaps in the application and support the objective proof.
This letter of support is known as an I-751 affidavit of support. In form, it is very similar to the previously discussed reference letter. Therefore, if writing a letter of support for a marriage, one may follow the reference letter guide provided earlier in this article.
Related: How to Write a Bona Fide Marriage Affidavit for Immigration
FAQs About Writing a Reference Letter for an Immigration Marriage
What is a reference letter for an immigration marriage?
A reference letter is a letter written by someone who knows the couple well enough to testify that they believe their marriage to be genuine. This letter can help prove to immigration authorities that the marriage is not for the purpose of circumventing immigration laws.
What should the letter include?
The letter should include details about the letter writer (such as address, date of birth, profession, how they know the couple, etc.). It should also include details that support the notion that the couple’s marriage is genuine. The letter should also state that the writer believes that the marriage is genuine and provide specific encounters with the couple to support such an assertion.
Does the letter need to be notarized?
There needs to be proof that the letter was written by the stated letter writer. This can be accomplished by visiting a notary public.
Do Form I-751’s need a letter of support?
No, but they can be useful to help support and provide context for other objective evidence such as bank account statements.
Who should I ask for a reference letter?
The letter should be from someone who knows the couple well and interacts with them often. Otherwise, the letter will not hold much weight.
Can I use a template?
You may reference a template, but you should write your own letter. This will help ensure that the judge takes the letter seriously.
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