Common Law Proof of cohabitation

[Sumanik]

Hello,

I've been looking at the document checklist. My partner and I are applying from the UK. We are in the process of gather documents. Would our child's full birth certificate with both our names and shared address count? I don't have any government documents with my address on them as I don't have a driver's licence etc.

I know you don't need to be able to show proof of every category but we've kept our finances etc. quite separate so I just thought I'd ask about this.

Thanks in advance

 

[Bs65]

So you do not have any rental agreement with address on, or if you have separate bank accounts anything with the same address or tax code notices or child benefit notices?

 

[Sumanik]

Hello,

We have council tax bills, Some utilities are joint, pay slips and tax related stuff. I own the house but we have proof that Greg gave me the deposit for it I can look for my confirmation of child benefit letter. We plan to add his name to one of my bank accounts.

 

[scylla]

Hello,

We have council tax bills, Some utilities are joint, pay slips and tax related stuff. I own the house but we have proof that Greg gave me the deposit for it I can look for my confirmation of child benefit letter. We plan to add his name to one of my bank accounts.

FYI - adding his name to one of your bank accounts now is only helpful if you plan to apply for common law in a year. To prove common law, you need to show evidence that dates back at least a year from the time you submit your application. Hopefully he was added to the utilities at least a year ago and the deposit was provided a year or more ago.

 

[Sumanik]

Surely we need yo provide provide documentation that proves we continue to live together rather than only including documentation from when we started living together. What do you think?

Additionally, some of my documents only have my maiden name on them which is different to what I have in my passport. I was divorced before meeting Greg but never changed my name back. Should I just provide a note with my application declaring why some of the documents are in a slightly different surname? Some say Sumanik and some say Sumanik-Leary.

 

[scylla]

Surely we need yo provide provide documentation that proves we continue to live together rather than only including documentation from when we started living together. What do you think?

Yes. For example when it comes to the joint utility bills, provide at least two. One that dates back more than a year and one that is recent.

 

[canuck78]

All the documents listed would be good evidence. Essentially you are both looking for documents with your name, address and date. You can also submit proof that you are beneficiary of life insurance, joint banking, etc. Proof that you filed taxes as common law. It sounds like you have quite a lot of proof.