common-law sponsorship, question about attaching pictures and documents

[Cid-desu]

Hey, I'm trying to compile all the evidence of our common-law relationship. He is a Canadian citizen, I'm a US citizen, we've been living together in Canada for 3 years.

I have a certified letter from a friend/ex-roommate attesting to our relationship, as well as a currently unnotarized letter from my partner's sister, who is also our landlord. I know I should get that letter notarized as well.

My 1st question is, I also have bills addressed to us at this address, postcards he sent me when we were just dating, lots of pictures and letters addressed to us, mutual phone bills and chat logs with each other's name/number. What EXACTLY should I get notarized? Because if I notarize every little thing, well, that's A LOT of papers that need stamping.

My 2nd question: how should I attach all the pictures? I want to add captions to them, or at least label them. Do I print them on 8.5x11 white papers with typed captions, or should I print them as actual pictures and write the descriptions on the back??

I'll probably have more questions as this process progresses. I really appreciate this forum and everything you guys do for people like me!! Thank you!

 

[CaroM8]

You read my mind! I'll be stalking this post to know the answers

 

[Aquakitty]

You are applying outland right? Don't make the mistake of applying inland as a US citizen.

1) Notarize at least 2 letters from friends/family (called a statutory declaration), and I suggest also submitting a notarized "Statutory Declaration of Common-law Union". While it's not actually required, CIC does sometimes request this from common-law couples, so might as well avoid this potential delay. None of the other things you mentioned need notarization.

2) That's really up to you. Some people print them out with captions (using Word for instance), some just write on the back. Doesn't really matter. I sent in a lot of pictures, so I had them printed at Walmart. As long as they are decent quality it's good to go.

 

[Cid-desu]

Yup, I'm applying outland (got that advice here, actually, :-D). And if I apply outland, the only difference is the processing center where I send my documents to, right?

Thanks for the advice! That sounds very reasonable. ;D ;D ;D

 

[TimS85]

Agreed that only your letters need to be notarized. Providing the declaration is also a good idea. You sound like you have more than enough proof, especially being American, your application won't be scrutinized very closely.

I created a word document and posted 2 pictures per page with captions and printed them in colour on letter sized paper. I found it was more organized than loose photos and it was definitely more economical as well.

 

[CaroM8]

I have a question about the notarized stuff...

I am writing a letter (as the sponsor) explaining our relationship, goals, plans etc..
My common law partner (the main applicant) will also be writing a similar letter explaining his intentions and all that..

Should those 2 letters be notarized?

I will also have one of his cousin write us some sort of relationship witness letter, as well as my parents... Those should be notarized? What if they aren't? Are they just inadmissible?

Good advice about the pics, thanks!!

 

[TracyCa64]

I would include the Statutory Declaration of Common Law. I am a U.S. citizen applied for PR in October. I didn't submit this form originally but it was requested by Ottawa two months after they started processing my application. I thought I had enough common law proof, but I guess not. It can't hurt to include it.

 

[Cid-desu]

Agreed that only your letters need to be notarized. Providing the declaration is also a good idea. You sound like you have more than enough proof, especially being American, your application won't be scrutinized very closely.

I created a word document and posted 2 pictures per page with captions and printed them in colour on letter sized paper. I found it was more organized than loose photos and it was definitely more economical as well.

I'm still worried because we live in a house his sister owns, so we never signed a lease and all of the utilities are in her name. We have our own, separate bank statements with this address, but we pay taxes separately and didn't get a joint bank account until 2 months ago. We're also engaged, even though we don't plan on marrying until next summer, which I heard could hurt our application as common-law partners.

There are just a lot of little things that I fear will hurt our application.

 

[Aquakitty]

I'm still worried because we live in a house his sister owns, so we never signed a lease and all of the utilities are in her name. We have our own, separate bank statements with this address, but we pay taxes separately and didn't get a joint bank account until 2 months ago. We're also engaged, even though we don't plan on marrying until next summer, which I heard could hurt our application as common-law partners.

There are just a lot of little things that I fear will hurt our application.

You're American so the barrier for proving a genuine relationship is low. The common-law status does require a good amount of proof however. Being engaged really has no bearing on this.

Make sure you submit a lot of proof showing you have lived together for one year. If his sister is technically your landlord, then she can write out a rental agreement for you that you both can sign.

[quote author=CaroM8]
I am writing a letter (as the sponsor) explaining our relationship, goals, plans etc..
My common law partner (the main applicant) will also be writing a similar letter explaining his intentions and all that.. [/quote]

You need notarized declarations from friends and family, you can include these letters you wrote but you don't need to notarize your own letters. Explaining your relationship is part of the application.

 

[TracyCa64]

I'm still worried because we live in a house his sister owns, so we never signed a lease and all of the utilities are in her name. We have our own, separate bank statements with this address, but we pay taxes separately and didn't get a joint bank account until 2 months ago. We're also engaged, even though we don't plan on marrying until next summer, which I heard could hurt our application as common-law partners.

There are just a lot of little things that I fear will hurt our application.

Yeah, I am not on the house mortgage or any of the house bills. I am on my partner's employee vision & dental plan, bank account, credit card & cell phone. I sent in copies of mail addressed to me and some to the both of us. I sent in two notarized letters from friends. I guess this was not enough and they needed the Stat. Declaration of Common Law form.

 

[CaroM8]

For the Declaration of Common Law Form... Who can administer the declaration? Is that like a witness? Also when they ask for the country, city and all that, they mean where you are at the moment you are signing this form?

 

[TracyCa64]

For the Declaration of Common Law Form... Who can administer the declaration? Is that like a witness? Also when they ask for the country, city and all that, they mean where you are at the moment you are signing this form?

Yes, if you answer questions within your PR that you are residing in Canada then you need to put that as your country and the city.
If you have this form notarized within Canada you will have a Commissioner of Oaths witness your signature and they will sign off on the form. I went to a YMCA settlement office to have the Commissioner of Oaths witness my form. It cost me $10.

 

[CaroM8]

Yes, if you answer questions within your PR that you are residing in Canada then you need to put that as your country and the city.
If you have this form notarized within Canada you will have a Commissioner of Oaths witness your signature and they will sign off on the form. I went to a YMCA settlement office to have the Commissioner of Oaths witness my form. It cost me $10.

But I'm confused. We are doing an Outland application. I am currently living in Guatemala with my partner. I plan on going to Canada in April for a couple of weeks to gather up missing documents, and will mail in our application while I am in Canada. After that I will return to Guatemala.
Do both partners have to be present when the declaration is signed? If yes, then we will have to do it in Guatemala?

My head hurts...

 

[TracyCa64]

But I'm confused. We are doing an Outland application. I am currently living in Guatemala with my partner. I plan on going to Canada in April for a couple of weeks to gather up missing documents, and will mail in our application while I am in Canada. After that I will return to Guatemala.
Do both partners have to be present when the declaration is signed? If yes, then we will have to do it in Guatemala?

My head hurts...

Yes, I am pretty sure you both need to be present to sign. You can do it in Guatemala. Find a notary or commissioner of oaths there.
Sorry, I thought you were in Canada.

 

[CaroM8]

Yes, I am pretty sure you both need to be present to sign. You can do it in Guatemala. Find a notary or commissioner of oaths there.
Sorry, I thought you were in Canada.

Thank you!

Just a random question, is it weird/flaky to write things by hand in the application? I'm filling out all the forms on the computer, and letters are typed of course.. But I'm thinking on like printed pictures, receipts, tickets things like that. I'll print them out, then add a small description of what they are and why they are there by hand..?

You are all wonderful for answering my random questions!! All good karma your way! Haha!