jn0t703 said:
Hello guys,
Congrats to all with latest AIPs!
Just have some questions about my case, hopefully someone else has experienced the same situation.
My wife recently received an email from CIC asking for the following additional proofs:
> Proof of Relationship: Please provide additional proof of relationship. This must be
received at this office by: 2015/03/12 (We are married and already sent Marriage Certificate originally, along with a bunch of pictures. We have not had a wedding though.)
> Proof of Cohabitation: Please provide proof of cohabitation (01/08/2013 until present).
This must be received at this office by: 2015/03/12
What should we send them for those items?
Thanks.
i got the same letter requesting that, today i called asking for information on what to send. so CIC sent me this email with info. hope it will help you
Proof of Relationship
When you apply for permanent residence as a spouse or common-law partner, you have to prove that your relationship is genuine. The following items can be used as proof of your relationship:
Documents showing a relationship, such as a family medical plan and a joint bank account.
Documents showing shared ownership of property, such as a mortgage and a lease.
A marriage certificate.
A statutory declaration of common-law union (available on our website).
Proof of death, divorce or separation if either you or your spouse were previously married or in a common-law relationship.
Wedding or commitment ceremony invitations and photos.
Proof that you live with your sponsor, such as joint utility bills showing the same address for both of you.
Proof of visits to each other or trips together, such as airline tickets, boarding passes, and copies of the pages in your passport with stamps.
Long distance telephone bills.
Documents naming your partner as a beneficiary, such as insurance policies and a will.
Letters.
Photos of important events.
Statements from family members, friends or others confirming the good faith of your relationship.
Please note that it is not mandatory to include all these items to prove that your relationship is genuine. In addition, other proof can be taken into consideration.
For more information, please consult the Instruction Guide included with the application.
Proof of Cohabitation
When you apply to sponsor a common law partner, you have to prove that you:
have been living with your partner for at least 12 consecutive months in a relationship similar to a marriage.
That means continuous cohabitation for one year, not periodical cohabitation adding up to one year. While cohabitation means living together continuously, from time to time, one or the other partner may have left the home for work or business travel, family obligations, and so on. The separation must be temporary and short term.
Here is a list of items that can be used as proof of cohabitation:
Shared bank accounts and/or credit cards
Shared ownership of residential property
Shared residential leases
Shared rental receipts
Shared utilities accounts (electricity, gas, telephone)
Proof of shared management of household expenses;
Evidence of shared purchases (especially for household items)
Mail addressed to either or both of you at the same address
Important documents for both of you showing the same address, (e.g., identification documents, driver’s licenses, insurance polices, etc.)
Shared responsibility for household management, household chores, etc.
Please note that it is not mandatory to include all these items to prove that you have lived together. Also note that other proof can be taken into consideration.