How can I compare my I-589, declaration, and evidence for consistency?
Last reviewed: August 24, 2026
General information only. This is a document-audit method. It is not testimony coaching and should never be used to make genuine records artificially match.
Build a comparison sheet for names, dates, addresses, travel, family relationships, major incidents, injuries, reports to authorities, and other facts repeated across records. Put the filed I-589, declaration, and supporting documents side by side.
A difference is not automatically wrongdoing, and the correct response is not to make every document artificially identical. Preserve originals, identify the difference, and determine whether it reflects translation, memory, spelling, calendar conversion, a later-discovered record, or something requiring legal review.
Never alter an original document or coordinate witnesses to eliminate differences. Keep a note explaining when you first noticed a discrepancy and which source records relate to it. If a factual correction may need to be made to an agency or court, obtain qualified legal advice about the proper procedure.
Official sources
- USCIS — Form I-589: https://www.uscis.gov/i-589
- DOJ EOIR — Policy Manual: https://www.justice.gov/eoir/policy-manual-eoir
The purpose of a consistency audit is to expose questions early so they can be evaluated honestly.