Declaration from Friends/Relatives for Sponsorship

[redherring]

Hi!

Just wondering if there's a template or format for the declaration from friends for common-law sponsorship and if there are key points that should be included in the declaration.

Also, only notarization should be done and nothing else?

 

[canadianwoman]

There is no template or specified format. It is best if they seem personal anyway.

The letter should include the full name and address of the letter-writer. They can include their birth date too if they want. Then they should explain how they know the sponsor or applicant, and if they have met both of them. They should state that they believe your relationship to be genuine because .... and that they know you two have lived together for 12 continuous months (or however long it has been). They should give some details of their relationship to you.

Then they take it to a lawyer or notary public. The lawyer may have his or her secretary type it up as a statutory declaration - they will know how to do this. Then the person will have to show ID and the lawyer or notary will notarize it.

You need two statutory declarations; having them notarized is better than using a commissioner of oaths. You can get other letters too, which can be as above, but don't have to be notarized.

 

[redherring]

Thanks canadianwoman, it's very informative. Last question, does it have to be dated after the 12-month cohabitation period or could it be a couple of weeks before and just have something that says living together since XX date?

 

[canadianwoman]

If it is one of the two statutory declarations that are required, I would only get it done after the one year of cohabitation is over. If it is an extra letter, then it can be from before you are officially common-law. If so, though, it will only be taken as evidence of the genuineness of the relationship, not as proof of common-law status.