When applying for a green card through the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), many people ask whether they need to include letters from witnesses. While these letters are not required, they can be helpful in supporting your case. Most of our firm’s VAWA approvals do not contain witness letters.  The details of the abuse suffered are provided in a detailed affidavit from the Applicant.

USCIS reviews VAWA petitions using the “any credible evidence” standard. This means they are open to a variety of documents to prove your eligibility, especially because abuse survivors may not have access to traditional evidence. Personal statements, police reports, medical records, and witnessed letters are all acceptable types of evidence.

Witness letters, also called affidavits, can come from friends, family members, or professionals who know about the abuse or can confirm parts of your story—such as your relationship with the abuser or shared living arrangements. These letters don’t have to be notarized, but it helps if the writer includes details, dates, and how they know you.

In short, you don’t have to submit witness letters for your VAWA case to be approved. But including them can make your case stronger, especially if other evidence is limited. Call our office at 703-348-1663 to see if you qualify for VAWA and receive assistance in building a strong case.

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