Evidence for a common-law relationship

[Statix]

Hi everybody,

I'm applying for common-law and am finally getting everything together. My only worry is that I do not have enough evidence to prove our common-law relationship.

What I have about proof of us living together is:
-Rental contracts for both years we rented together, with both our names on them.
-Some mail for us at our address

We don't have joint bank accounts, as in China we were turned down for that by many banks, saying they didn't have such a thing. We don't have joint utility bills as that was all handled by the land lord.

In general, I also have:
-A letter from my mother saying that she saw our relationship develop and us living in that apartment together
-Same type of letter from a previous roommate/friend
-Lots of pictures from travel
-Lots of phone logs, train tickets from travel together, etc.
-Chat logs

Due to the way things work in China we don't have anything else that is joint in both our names. I'm worried that I won't have enough evidence.

Does anybody have any suggestions, or any idea what is considered enough?

Thanks in advance

 

[Sweden]

It's very difficult to know what is "enough" - as it really depends on your VO, and your background, how long you have been together and so many other factors. Try and have a look at your application and see if it would convince somebody from outside that you are a couple. If yes, then great. If not - then look for more!

You can include an explanation on why you don't have a joint bank account - you tried, and it was not possible in China, so then explain it.

Rental contracts and mails for both of you are good, as well as the other proofs you already have.

You could also consider, if you have ever bought things together, or if you have a way that you have organised your shared expenses, to explain that. If you wrote a card for a gift together to a common friend - maybe include that - explain the occasion etc.

What we did ( nothing compulsory, just an example) - is to write a "timeline" explaining the development of our relationship - which date we moved in together, when I met his parents for the first time, when he met mine, when we traveled together etc - we also included a part where we referenced all the documents that illustrated that (example> applicant and sponsor travel to X country together, see plane ticket attached, document reference etc).

Joint bank account is only one proof, and it's not compulsory - so if you have other proofs, you will be fine...

Good luck putting together your application, and don't hesitate to ask if needed!
Cheers,
Sweden

 

[canadianwoman]

The rental contracts with both names for at least a year, plus mail with both names, should be good enough as proof of cohabitation. Explain why you don't have joint utility bills or bank accounts.

The letters from relatives, friends, the landlord, etc. should state that they know you two were living together for a year (or whatever time) and that they believe your relationship is genuine.

 

[kitchener_inland]

Hi everybody,

I'm applying for common-law and am finally getting everything together. My only worry is that I do not have enough evidence to prove our common-law relationship.

What I have about proof of us living together is:
-Rental contracts for both years we rented together, with both our names on them.
-Some mail for us at our address

We don't have joint bank accounts, as in China we were turned down for that by many banks, saying they didn't have such a thing. We don't have joint utility bills as that was all handled by the land lord.

In general, I also have:
-A letter from my mother saying that she saw our relationship develop and us living in that apartment together
-Same type of letter from a previous roommate/friend
-Lots of pictures from travel
-Lots of phone logs, train tickets from travel together, etc.
-Chat logs

Due to the way things work in China we don't have anything else that is joint in both our names. I'm worried that I won't have enough evidence.

Does anybody have any suggestions, or any idea what is considered enough?

Thanks in advance

Hey, Statix

what you have is good, but in my experience only typed names on papers are not enough by itself in most cases. if you also have trip/vacation pictures together in different periods of your relationship it will help very much, because it shows you two in different stages of your relationship together and its a pretty strong evidence to show your relationship is honest and genuine! I know someone who had applied and had lots of papers showing as evidence but they didn't send pictures so they had to go to a local office for an interview to show more evidence which eventually went all ok since his wife was already pregnant and they showed them pictures throughout their relationship and obviously having a baby coming took away all the doubts they had about them.
so be honest to them and show them all the evidence you have and you will be fine

good luck!

 

[canadianwoman]

Yes, for common-law apps there are two things you need evidence for: 1. you have been living together for a year or more, and 2. your relationship is genuine. So the rental agreements are good for 1; you'll need all the usual evidence for 2, such as photos.