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Character letter for immigration: good moral character

Support letters are often part of naturalization applications, waivers and immigration court cases. The strongest ones speak to exactly what officers and judges weigh: family ties, work, community, and honesty.

Quick answer: An immigration character letter (often called a good moral character letter) tells USCIS or an immigration judge how you know the applicant, for how long, and what you have seen of their honesty, work, family responsibility and community involvement. Include your full name, contact details and immigration status, keep it factual and specific, sign it, and give it to the applicant or their attorney.

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What officers look for

In naturalization cases, USCIS decides “good moral character” by looking at the whole picture. Its policy manual lists favorable factors such as family ties and background, employment history, education, meeting financial obligations and paying taxes, community involvement, and the applicant’s time in the United States. A good support letter speaks to one or more of these from first-hand experience.

What to include

  1. Who you are. Your name, city, occupation, and — if the attorney asks — your immigration or citizenship status.
  2. How you know the applicant and for how long.
  3. Specific examples of their work, family life, reliability, volunteer service or faith community involvement.
  4. If there is a past problem the attorney has told you about, a brief acknowledgment and what you have seen since. Don’t describe it in detail.
  5. Your signature and contact details, and a willingness to be contacted.

What never to write

  • Anything about how or when the person entered the country, their documents, or their current status — leave that to the attorney.
  • Promises of financial support you haven’t actually agreed to (financial sponsorship uses separate forms).
  • Guesses, exaggerations, or anything you don’t personally know to be true.

Sample paragraph

Carlos has worked on my landscaping crew for seven years. In that time he has never missed a payroll-reporting deadline, he files his taxes every year, and last spring I promoted him to crew leader because the other workers already went to him with questions. When a customer’s elderly husband fell in their yard, Carlos stayed with him until the ambulance arrived and then finished the job without charging for the extra hour.

Fictional example.

Write yours in about 3 minutes

We start from this page’s situation — just check a few boxes and add one true story.

1 · You
2 · What you've seen
3 · Your story
4 · Your letter

Let's start with you.

There are no wrong answers, and you can change anything later.

Who are you to them?
What is the case about? (pick the closest — "Not sure" is fine)

Tell us about them.

Only what you know to be true — a judge can tell the difference.

What are they like? (optional — only choose what you know is true)
What have they done since the arrest? (judges weigh this — only check what's true)
About you — for the opening line and signature (optional, you can add it later)
How will you support them after release? (housing, a job, rides — the board looks for this)

The moment you'd want the judge to see.

One true memory does more than any list of good qualities. Small, everyday moments are often the most powerful.

What have you seen them do? (optional, but it's the heart of the letter)
Write it the way you'd tell a friend. Details help: who, where, what they did. Please don't write about the case itself — we'll handle that part carefully.
Looking ahead, how will you stand by them? (optional — judges look for a real support system)
Does anyone depend on them? (optional)

Here is the beginning of your letter.

What we did for you

    Sample print-ready page
    Print-ready version
    Dated, one page, your name and details filled in, space to sign — as Word + PDF. Plus 3 tone rewrites and sending instructions. See a sample
    Others in the family writing too? Judges notice when letters sound alike.
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    Questions people ask

    Who should write a good moral character letter for immigration?

    People who know the applicant well and can speak from experience: employers, coworkers, neighbors, clergy, teachers, community leaders, and family members. U.S. citizens and permanent residents are often asked to include their status and contact details — the immigration attorney will say what is needed.

    What does USCIS consider for good moral character?

    Officers look at the totality of the circumstances. Positive factors in USCIS policy include family ties, employment history, education, paying taxes and meeting financial obligations, community involvement, compliance with probation, and length of time in the United States.

    Should the letter be notarized?

    It depends on the case. Some attorneys ask for a signed and notarized letter or a declaration. Ask before you finalize it.

    Who do I address the letter to?

    For a USCIS application, “Dear Immigration Officer,” is common. For immigration court, address the immigration judge: “Dear Judge <Last name>,” or “Dear Your Honor,”.

    Last reviewed 2026-09-28. This page is general information, not legal advice. It follows published guidance from federal defender offices and federal courts, including:

    How we use these sources and test our letters: about CharacterLetter.com.