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Reference Letter to Support Immigration Marriage | 5 Samples

A reference letter to support immigration marriage is a document used to express your support for the immigrant couple to confirm the validity of the marriage.

In the US, a citizen/resident and an immigrant can get legally married and be recognized as a married couple by law. However, this process requires more formalities than a marriage between two citizens.

One of these formalities is a reference letter to support the immigration marriage.

To be a referee, you must have known the couple for a significant time. A referee ought to be a person who is reliable and of good reputation. This can be a friend, employer, or community leader such as a church leader. The need to legalize a marriage can be due to different reasons, such as applying for a VISA, buying property, applying for permanent residency, or completing other immigration processes.

This post elaborates on the importance of issuing a reference letter to support an immigration marriage and what to include in the letter in the United States.

How Do Reference Letters Support Married Immigrants?

Couples can be eligible for permanent residency in the US with a validated marriage. Note the letter is also needed where only one partner is an immigrant, and the other is a US citizen. To craft a strong reference letter, you must be in a position to give a reference letter that has substance and can improve the couple’s application for permanent residency.  

Marriage is one avenue for non-citizens to attain permanent residency in the U.S. The USCIS (U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services) closely monitors immigration marriages, more so for applicants who wish to reside in the United States permanently. Officers from the USCIS can contact you to verify the details forwarded by the married couple. Thus, a reference letter is needed in such a situation. The main objective of a reference letter is to assure the USCIS that the marriage is not arranged to obtain an immigration advantage.

The letter thus reassures the USCIS that the marriage is solely out of passion and not an attempt to sidestep immigration laws to obtain permanent residency. Cases of immigration fraud can thus be proven. In addition, the letter proves that the marriage is existent and accurate, and the applicant’s character is credible. This way, the application for permanent residency can be further delivered in front of an administrative law judge (ALJ).

How to Structure the Letter of Support?

The content of a reference letter to support immigration marriage largely depends on why the couple wants to legalize their marriage. However, a typical letter will follow the same structure:

Letterhead

Each letter should have a letterhead. Components of a letterhead include title, your identification details, and the immigration authority’s details. Typically, the letter should be titled “Reference Letter for Immigration Marriage.” You should then indicate their full name, mailing address (street address, city, state, and zip code), and contact details like phone number and email.

The name of the receiving officer/authority and address of the immigration office (street address, city, state, and zip code) should also be provided. A date and official salutation should also be included.

Introduction

The letter should also have an introduction that lets the recipient know who the author is. Typically, the introduction will outline your name, job designation/profession, relationship with the couple, and duration of that relationship. You do not have to include a supporting argument in the introduction, as this information will be deliberated in the body of the letter.  

Body of the letter

The body of the reference letter should elaborate on how you support immigration marriage. This section should be informative and must illustrate the credibility of the marriage and the suitability of the immigrant(s) as citizens of the U.S. Information covered in this section includes the length of their relationship/marriage, the children between them, how long you have known them, and an opinion of the nature of their relationship/marriage.

Also, mention how or why they would be excellent U.S. residents, for example, by referencing their character or profession. You can also mention your attitude towards the couple and highlight their positive personal qualities. This section can be prolonged as much as necessary to put forth a convincing case on behalf of the couple.

Conclusion

Lastly, a firm conclusion should be added to the letter. The conclusion can reiterate the couple’s credibility and suitability and give a robust final opinion to persuade the judge to grant them residency. Finally, the letter should be signed off formally by a complimentary close such as “Best Regards.”

Information to Include in the Reference Letter

The USCIS requires the letter to be a third-party account of the immigration marriage between the couple. They, therefore, require in-depth information that can verify the couple’s intention, and as such certain information must appear in the letter.

The information that you should prioritize in the letter includes:

The extent of the relationship

It should be clear how long you have known the couple. The duration of their relationship heavily determines the credibility of the reference letter to support the immigration marriage. The longer and closer the relationship, the more credible you are to the judge. Therefore, your credibility will be upheld if you are a family member, long-term friend, or colleague.

For example:

My name is Clark Kent. I’m a professor at the University of Columbia. I’ve been a friend to John Finch and Mary Finch for the last 8 years. I’m thrilled to write this letter for my good friend and neighbour, John Finch. John and I have been friends since he moved to our neighbourhood in Ashton Ville, NY. We fish together and watch our children’s football matches on Saturdays every month. 

Personal qualities of the married couple

The personal qualities of the couple influence their character. You can also discuss the nature of their relationship, whether it is fruitful, loving, or values-based. This should indicate that the couple got married for other reasons other than attaining permanent residency. Finally, you can delve into details about the couple’s everyday life. This can include discussing their hobbies, dreams, achievements, beliefs, etc.

John is a Financial Strategist at Ruger Hill Bank, and Mary is a music teacher at Mirada Community College of Arts, Australia. John is a very social, compassionate, and incredible fried, while Mary is a more laid-back, organized, and talented folklore singer. I’ve enjoyed their company on every one of our cookouts, dinners, and vacations together. They have always dreamed of having Mary permanently join John here in the United States. I believe permanent residency will be beneficial so that they can be a family together. It has not been easy for John to juggle between work and taking care of their kids without his beloved partner. 

The signature and signing date

The letter should include your signature and the signing date. The signature attests that the information provided in the letter is true and accurate.

For example:

Mary is a loving wife and mother and a passionate teacher of arts. I believe she can be a valuable member of our community with approval. Also, since other community members have already welcomed her in open arms, it will be easy for her to transition from a visitor to a resident in this country.

Thank you for considering the Finch family for permanent residency. My phone number is 111 8248 0333. I’d be glad to answer any queries.

Regards,
Signature]
Clark Kent

Proof of the writer’s identity

Notarizing the reference letter to support immigration marriage can also verify your identity. The notary public can supply an acknowledgment, signature, and official stamp as proof of identity verification. In addition, notarized reference letters are deemed more credible to an immigration judge.

Tip: There is no limit to the word count of the reference letter, and you can thus be as detailed as possible. However, precise and objective letters can be equally, if not more efficient.

Reference letter to support immigration marriage (Template)

From
…………..
…………..
…………..

[Date]

To
…………..
…………..
…………..

Sub: Immigration support for (name of the couple)
 
Dear (Recipients name),

My name is (your name) I am a resident of (city and state) for (number of years). I have known (the couple) for (duration). We have been family friends for (period). I met came to know them when they became our neighbors.

Both our families visit each other frequently, and we spend quality time together. We visit each other for (dinner, supper) and go out for movies and game visits.

In my opinion (The couple) are in a loving and respectful marriage. They are committed to each other and always speak great about each other. For the time I have known them, they are committed to each other and are happily married.

In this respect, I support the couple’s efforts to secure permanent residence in (city and state). If you need more details to contact me via (email/phone).

Sincerely,
[Signature]

[Your name]

Sample Letters

Sample Letter to Request a Reference for Immigration Marriage Support

Sample Letter of Immigration Marriage Support from Friend 1

Sample Letter to Support from Mother

Sample Letter to Support Immigration Marriage

    Related: Character Reference Letter for Immigration (23 Best Samples)

    Do’s and Don’ts

    You can use specific writing techniques to improve the quality of the reference letter of support for immigration marriage. Here are various do’s and don’ts of writing such a letter:

    Do’s

    They include:

    • You should avoid using templates to craft letters and use their writing style instead. This makes the letter more original and more credible.
    • The letter must illustrate that the author and the couple have a close relationship, close enough to determine what entails the couple’s everyday life.
    • A persuasive reference letter should include information regarding the couple’s lifestyle and favorable personal qualities.
    • Though the letter is an official letter, it should be written to reflect a personal account of the couple’s marriage and not a strictly formal account. However, slang and derogative words should be avoided.    

    Don’ts 

    They include:

    • The letter should not be handwritten. However, typed reference letters are preferred for official purposes.
    • You ought not to lie in a letter supporting an immigration marriage. Should the letter be fact-checked and a lie is discovered, the letter would be discarded and may cost the couple their citizenship.
    • You shouldn’t ignore the importance of notarizing the letter. It lowers the court’s doubts about the authenticity and credibility of the letter.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is a reference letter in support of an immigration marriage?

    A reference letter for an immigration marriage is an official letter to verify the validity of a marriage where at least one partner is an immigrant. 

    What should the letter include?

    The reference letter should outline your details (name and contact details), their profession, nature, duration of their relationship with the couple, and genuine information that supports the marriage to be valid. In addition, it can include details of the couple’s lifestyle and personal qualities.

    Does the letter need to be notarized?

    It is recommended that the letter be notarized to authenticate your identity.

    Does Form I-751 need a letter of support?

    No, Form I-751 does not need a letter of support. However, the letter can provide additional information regarding evidence, such as bank statements provided in the form.

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