We began cohabiting in 2022, but I had my place at the time and didn't change my address on my documents. I moved in completely in 2023 and officially changed the address to my partner's. We have been living together for almost two years now. In my case, do I say I entered the common-law relationship in 2023 (a year after living together) or 2024 (a year after I officially changed my address)? I can still provide bills for expenses we shared in 2022, but my telephone/bank statements had my address.
Common-law: Lived together but didn't officially change address
- Thread starter gretapkv
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As a general rule, I think you should assume that IRCC will be VERY skeptical about people claiming they were residing together full-time while maintaining two separate residences. This doesn't mean you can't convince them - with evidence - but 'part-time' (most of the time at one place) is not the same time as exclusively residing together. This is especially true for those whose 'other' residence is in a different city and esp province.
That's in general terms. You are vague about months. It would be BETTER if you have concrete, full documentary evidence you've lived together more than 12 months - so if, eg, it was February 2023, no problem. You can apply stating you began cohabitating in [month] 2022, but they need to know the PROVEN period is > 12 months.
This is important enough that if your best evidence is from March 2023, I'd wait and apply in four weeks. But this is dependent on how confident you are in the rest of your evidence (i.e. from the earlier period) such as bills and etc.
As far as the specific date issue - the instructions do say, if I remember correctly, that you are common law not from the date of beginning to cohabit but 12 months after the date of cohabitation. BUT: we have seen IRCC screw up and misunderstand this (although far more common is for applicants to make mistakes about the date and all).
If you have been living together for two years - and if you're close, consider waiting until it is two full years, I'd answer that question (therefore) as/at the date of the first anniversary. But make sure everywhere else, everywhere, you refer to the start of your cohabitation and emphasize that 'we have been cohabiting for two years beginning on [date].'
Thank you, this was helpful. I have a follow-up question, he owns the property we live in. Will IRCC accept a lease that says I rent his property as a rental agreement? I'm wondering what kind of agreement we should draw up.
In my case, I lived a couple of blocks away.
That's strange to get a lease from your common law partner....
When you move, didn't you have to update things like driver's license, medical card...etc
It is strange. I'm not sure if I should do that. I did update my license, bank and telephone bills. But I wonder what kind of rental proof I can provide.
If your common law partner is the home owner, it doesn't make sense to "rent" the unit to a common law partner.
Do you help to pay for anything at home? (cable/internet/other fees) Otherwise, you can only provide what you have. You can't make up evidence.
I pay for the internet and I transfer an amount every month to help with mortgage/condo fees, sort of like rent
I admit, I don't know what to suggest beyond other docs and accounts etc for which you changed addresses.