Kinds of letters
Common types include a letter from a spouse about a shared life, a letter from a neighbor about the applicant's character, a letter from an employer, and a letter from a relative about housing. Each is separate and each writer signs their own.
Check with the attorney or the form's instructions whether a letter must be sworn.
Writing a useful statement
The best letters give facts the writer saw or did. They say how the writer knows the applicant, for how long, and what specific events they remember. They avoid exaggerated praise. The writer should give their full name, address and contact information.
A notary cannot edit the content. An immigration attorney or accredited representative can suggest useful details.
The sworn signature
If a jurat is needed, the writer must sign in front of the notary. The notary checks ID, administers the oath, and completes the certificate. The writer should read the entire letter again before swearing. Corrections made after signing must be initialed.
People who are not comfortable in English should have the letter in a language they understand, with a translation if the agency requires English.
Practical details
Writers should keep a copy. If several people are writing, schedule a group appointment so each writer swears separately. Each writer needs unexpired photo ID. A mobile notary can go to a community center or workplace.
If the writer cannot appear in person, remote online notarization may be possible, depending on the office.
Pitfalls
Do not copy another person's letter. Do not write about things you did not witness. Do not sign a letter that someone else wrote without understanding it. A false sworn statement can create serious trouble for the writer.
Notaries cannot give an opinion on whether a letter will help the case.
A simple outline for a personal letter
Open with who you are and how long you have known the applicant. Add a paragraph about a specific moment, such as helping them move, caring for a sick relative or working together on a project. Close with a line saying you are writing voluntarily and that the statements are true.
Letters from a landlord, employer, pastor or teacher should mention their role and how they know the applicant. Include contact information. Avoid copying text from internet samples because reviewers see many similar letters.
If the letter is sworn, the jurat goes at the bottom, and the writer signs only in front of the notary. Print the final version on clean paper, in a readable font. Keep the tone simple and honest, and never include details you cannot back up if asked.
Gather writers early. People are busy, and a sworn statement requires an appointment, ID and a printed final copy. Give each writer a short list of practical points: sign only in front of the notary, use the name on your ID, and keep a copy. Set a firm return date for the originals, and ask writers to hand over pages in the same folder so nothing gets bent or lost on the way to the attorney.
Common questions
Do all support letters need a notary?
No. Many are simple signed letters. Follow your attorney's advice.
Can the applicant be the notary's signer?
Yes, if the applicant is swearing to a statement, but they must sign in front of the notary.
Should a letter have a witness?
Only if the instructions say so.
More notary guides
- Promissory Notes and Personal Loan Agreements
- Name Mismatch Between ID and Documents: What Happens
- Notarized Employment Verification Letters
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Fees and procedures change; check with the office involved or an attorney for your situation.