Common Law Authenticity Questions

[psii]

Hello, I am a US citizen that is trying to get an inland sponsorship from my Canadian boyfriend of multiple years now. We aren't married so when I do apply, it'll be under common-law.
My question is: Do I have to already have a common-law certificate (or whatever the document is called) prior to sending in the sponsorship application? Or do I send in a declaration along with the sponsorship application.
Also, are pictures of the 2 of us together over the years and proof of my multiple visits here to Canada enough proof for common law? Or should I start joining up some bank accounts and share some bills just to be safe.
Thanks so much!

 

[kcward7]

Hello, I am a US citizen that is trying to get an inland sponsorship from my Canadian boyfriend of multiple years now. We aren't married so when I do apply, it'll be under common-law.
My question is: Do I have to already have a common-law certificate (or whatever the document is called) prior to sending in the sponsorship application? Or do I send in a declaration along with the sponsorship application.
Also, are pictures of the 2 of us together over the years and proof of my multiple visits here to Canada enough proof for common law? Or should I start joining up some bank accounts and share some bills just to be safe.
Thanks so much!

For the second question you should look at the checklist, you will asked to be provided a number of different sets of docs like utilities/joint lease/bank, etc etc. They give you options to pick from..let me see if I can find it

 

[kcward7]

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM5533E.pdf

Section 7

 

[scylla]

Visiting doesn't prove common law or make you common law. You must have lived together continuously for a minimum of one full year. Have you lived together at the same address for at least a year?

 

[kcward7]

Visiting doesn't prove common law or make you common law. You must have lived together continuously for a minimum of one full year. Have you lived together at the same address for at least a year?

and that is a phenomenal point that I did not even consider when posting the guide link in response

 

[psii]

Visiting doesn't prove common law or make you common law. You must have lived together continuously for a minimum of one full year. Have you lived together at the same address for at least a year?

Yes I am aware of this. Currently I am 2 1/2 months into my stay with my boyfriend, and I'm planning on extending my visa another 6 months a month before it expires so I can make it a full year.

 

[psii]

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM5533E.pdf

Section 7

Alright, from this it seems like i HAVE to be involved in some sort of financial agreement between him. And for a minimum of 12 months...Didnt know that.

 

[kcward7]

Alright, from this it seems like i HAVE to be involved in some sort of financial agreement between him. And for a minimum of 12 months...Didnt know that.

I am married so I am not as familiar with CL, it's a bit easier when you're married for what you have to provide.

 

[psii]

Yea seems to be that way. Thank you for the help.

 

[Rob_TO]

Alright, from this it seems like i HAVE to be involved in some sort of financial agreement between him. And for a minimum of 12 months...Didnt know that.

You need to have as much proof of 12 continuous months of physical cohabitation as possible. Since you're near the beginning of qualifying, you should immediately get all of these proofs together so you can prove when the cohabitation started. So joint rental agreement, bank accounts, supplemental credit cards, life insurance, joint phone account, utilities, official mail going to same address etc etc. The more the better.