You are in a tough position, Common Law is a difficult road to go if you dont have alot of the evidence they are looking for. Don't forget you have to prove that your relationship is genuine and continuing.
They will want to see that your affairs are intermingled the same as a married couples would be.
Here are some of the things they expect, the more the better.
Common-law partner
You are a common-law partner—either of the opposite s-e-x or same s-e-x—if:
you have been living together in a conjugal relationship for at least one year in a continuous 12-month period that was not interrupted. (You are allowed short absences for business travel or family reasons, however.)
You will need proof that you and your common-law partner have combined your affairs and set up a household together. This can be in the form of:
joint bank accounts or credit cards
joint ownership of a home
joint residential leases
joint rental receipts
joint utilities (electricity, gas, telephone)
joint management of household expenses
proof of joint purchases, especially for household items or
mail addressed to either person or both people at the same address.
I am in the same postion as you and just getting ready to apply. We got both our drivers licences changed to the same address, have mail, bills, letters etc to both of us at the same address. Bought a car with the deed of sale in both names.
Go to the gym and get monthly receipts in both our names etc etc.
You also need to show your relationship is continuing, if you have been apart since your relationship started you will need e mails to each other, phone bills showing one or the others number would be great.
Letters from family and friends validating your relationship (which you already have)
If it is possible to get married it would make it alot easier and your relationship would not be scrutinized to the same degree. If this is not possible I would start to get all you can and wait a few extra months to build your case so you feel it is solid. Alot of work and emotional turmoil to apply with a weak case and be refused.
Wish you all the best.
Regards,
Raymond.