How to Write a History of Relationship Statement That Actually Works (Partner Visa 820/801 or 309/100)

Most people treat the history of relationship statement like a homework assignment. They start with when they met, end with where they live now, pad it out with some fluff about how much they love each other, and hope that Immigration reads between the lines.

They won’t.

When you’re applying for a subclass 820/801 or 309/100 visa, the history of relationship statement isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s one of the most critical documents in your entire application. It’s your chance to give the case officer context, clarity, and confidence that your relationship is genuine and ongoing.

But here's the catch: most people screw this up because they don’t know what Immigration actually cares about. They think they’re writing a love letter. You’re not. You’re writing evidence.

Here’s how to do it right.

Let’s start with the real purpose of the statement

This isn't about convincing someone you're madly in love. It’s about proving that your relationship meets the legal definition of a spouse or de facto partner under the Migration Act.

The officer reading your file doesn’t know you. They don’t care how cute your wedding was. They care whether your relationship is:

• Mutually exclusive

• Genuine and continuing

• Living together (or not apart permanently)

• Financially and socially interdependent

These are legal tests. And your statement is your narrative evidence to support them.

So stop thinking like a romantic and start thinking like someone making a case.

How to structure your statement so it doesn't get ignored

There’s no official template. And that’s where most people panic or overthink it. But if you follow a logical structure, you’ll make the officer’s job easier—and that’s what gets results.

Here’s what works, and why.

1. How you met

Simple, right? Don’t overdo it. Stick to facts: when, where, how. No one cares what music was playing or whether you were “instantly drawn to each other.” This isn’t fan fiction.

But the first meeting matters because it anchors your timeline. That’s crucial for everything else—dates, cohabitation, financials, travel history. If your Form 888s, lease agreements, and emails don’t match this starting point, you've got problems.

Make it accurate, specific, and boring (in a good way).

2. How the relationship developed

This is where people get vague. “We fell in love quickly and became inseparable” tells the officer nothing. When did you go from casual dating to something serious? When did you become exclusive? What did that look like?

Use real-world markers. Maybe you started going on holidays together. Maybe you introduced each other to family. Maybe you moved in within a few months. These things help Immigration build a picture of when your relationship became committed and long-term—not just social.

Show the milestones. Don’t just say, “we got closer.” Tell them how.

3. Living together

If you’re in a de facto relationship, this is huge. The law expects you to have lived together for at least 12 months before applying (unless you’re married or have registered your relationship). So this part of your statement better be sharp.

Include:

• When you moved in together

• Where you’ve lived (addresses and dates)

• How you split responsibilities at home

• What your household routine looks like

Again, don’t romanticise it. “We love waking up together” means nothing. “We pay rent jointly and share chores” is better. “I do the groceries, she pays the bills” is even better.

Case officers want practical, boring details. That’s what makes a relationship real on paper.

4. Financial arrangements

This is one area people either skip over or try too hard to impress.

You don’t need to be fully financially entangled to pass this. But you do need to show a degree of sharing—beyond just splitting dinner bills.

Think about:

• Joint accounts

• Rent payments

• Shared subscriptions

• Loans

• Travel bookings

• Utility bills

Even if your finances are kept mostly separate, you can still explain how you manage your expenses and support each other. Be honest. You don’t need to pretend you do everything 50/50.

But you do need to show there’s an ongoing pattern of financial support, planning, or contribution.

5. Social context

Do other people know you’re in a relationship? That’s the core question here.

You don’t need to be influencers. But if no one’s ever seen or heard of you as a couple, Immigration will ask why.

Mention:

• Friends who know you as a couple

• Family events you attend together

• Social media presence (briefly—don’t overstate it)

• Joint holidays

• Attending weddings, birthdays, or functions together

If you’ve kept the relationship secret for any reason, explain that too. It’s not fatal, but it needs to make sense.

6. Commitment to each other

This is where you tie it all together. What does your future look like?

Talk about:

• Long-term plans

• Future travel or relocation

• Career considerations

• Whether you’ve talked about kids, buying a home, or supporting each other through illness

• What would happen if the visa was refused

The goal here is to show that you’re not just together now—you’re building something together long-term.

7. Final declaration

End it like a formal document. State that the contents are true and correct to the best of your knowledge. Sign and date it.

Keep it clean, clear, and professional.

What makes a good statement stand out?

Details. Dates. Facts.

Your goal isn’t to write a beautiful story. It’s to leave the case officer with zero doubt that your relationship is the real deal. That means timelines must line up. Statements should be consistent between you and your partner. If you say you moved in on 3 February 2022, and your partner says March, it’ll raise questions.

Stick to your own voice. Write like a human. Don't copy and paste your partner’s statement, and don’t try to match their tone. Immigration knows couples don’t speak the same way. That’s actually what makes it believable.

Also: don’t overwrite. If it takes you 2,000 words to explain your relationship, fine—but don’t aim for length. Aim for clarity.

Final thoughts

You’re not writing this for your partner. You’re writing it for someone who has never met you, doesn’t know your relationship, and is trained to find reasons not to believe you.

That’s not personal. That’s policy.

So help them out. Make your statement easy to read, easy to verify, and impossible to doubt. Be honest. Be thorough. Be practical.

Because if you do this right, your relationship won’t just sound genuine—it’ll be undeniable.