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Important clarification please help

n1ckeda

Star Member
Feb 6, 2020
107
4
Im looking to sponsor my long term girlfriend through common law. We've been living together for 7 years.
Prior to our relationship she was married to a third party. They are legally separated and have notarized separation agreement.

questions;

we are applying from the Philippines, and for country specific instructions
  • Marriage certificate issued in the Philippines: Provide the original marriage certificate issued by the Philippines Statistics Authority (PSA) and printed on PSA paper.
does she have to provide her marriage certificate? or that is only referring to if the sponsor and principal applicant is married?

Next, when asked for her current marital status IMM0008 #13, as we've been together 7 years and applying as common law, does she write common law? or legally separate?

I was thinking answer "Common-law" and the next question ,#14 select yes, and give past married details.

please clarify thanks!
 

canuck_in_uk

VIP Member
May 4, 2012
31,553
7,205
Visa Office......
London
App. Filed.......
06/12
Im looking to sponsor my long term girlfriend through common law. We've been living together for 7 years.
Prior to our relationship she was married to a third party. They are legally separated and have notarized separation agreement.

questions;

we are applying from the Philippines, and for country specific instructions
  • Marriage certificate issued in the Philippines: Provide the original marriage certificate issued by the Philippines Statistics Authority (PSA) and printed on PSA paper.
does she have to provide her marriage certificate? or that is only referring to if the sponsor and principal applicant is married?

Next, when asked for her current marital status IMM0008 #13, as we've been together 7 years and applying as common law, does she write common law? or legally separate?

I was thinking answer "Common-law" and the next question ,#14 select yes, and give past married details.

please clarify thanks!
I don't believe that she needs to provide the marriage certificate but she can include it, along with a full explanation of the marital status.

Her current marital status is common-law.
 

DiiDii

Hero Member
Apr 8, 2019
927
594
Toronto Canada
Category........
FAM
Visa Office......
Kingston VO
App. Filed.......
01-23-2020
AOR Received.
02-06-2020
File Transfer...
23-01-2021
Med's Request
18-09-2020
Med's Done....
23-09-2020
Passport Req..
13-07-2021
No marriage certificate... That's if it's for you guys.

Include separation docs with explanation

Yes common law is correct
 

n1ckeda

Star Member
Feb 6, 2020
107
4
No marriage certificate... That's if it's for you guys.

Include separation docs with explanation

Yes common law is correct
Thank you very much for your response.
Yes she has separation agreement, what do you mean with explanation? a separate page she needs to write explaining that she's separated?
 

Sarahannclarke5

Hero Member
Sep 19, 2018
522
226
Ontario, Canada
Visa Office......
Kingston, Jamaica
App. Filed.......
26-10-2018
Thank you very much for your response.
Yes she has separation agreement, what do you mean with explanation? a separate page she needs to write explaining that she's separated?
Yes. Include when she was seperate and when you started living together and all/any proof you have of living together
 

canuck_in_uk

VIP Member
May 4, 2012
31,553
7,205
Visa Office......
London
App. Filed.......
06/12
Thank you very much for your response.
Yes she has separation agreement, what do you mean with explanation? a separate page she needs to write explaining that she's separated?
Yes, she should be including a letter of explanation regarding her marital status.
 

n1ckeda

Star Member
Feb 6, 2020
107
4
Hello, we have the separation agreement and prepared a letter of explanation.

The main point of the letter is highlighting that they were clearly separated and living away from each other 2 years before we met.
and restating all the evidence that we've been living together for 6+ years.

"explaining her marital status" do you mean go into more details how the Philippines is has strong catholic views that influence into the law, making divorce a very expensive and long process?

or just clarifying they broke up, lived apart for 2 years+
 

canuck_in_uk

VIP Member
May 4, 2012
31,553
7,205
Visa Office......
London
App. Filed.......
06/12
Hello, we have the separation agreement and prepared a letter of explanation.

The main point of the letter is highlighting that they were clearly separated and living away from each other 2 years before we met.
and restating all the evidence that we've been living together for 6+ years.

"explaining her marital status" do you mean go into more details how the Philippines is has strong catholic views that influence into the law, making divorce a very expensive and long process?

or just clarifying they broke up, lived apart for 2 years+
IRCC is aware of the circumstances of the Philippines. That does not need to be explained.

The purpose is to make it clear that she is still legally married to X but has been separated for XX time.
 
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n1ckeda

Star Member
Feb 6, 2020
107
4
No marriage certificate... That's if it's for you guys.

Include separation docs with explanation

Yes common law is correct

hello, what about this Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Advisory on Marriages?
does she need to get this? or only the separation agreement with her explanation?