Proof of cohab

[Huyoen]

Hello,

I am wondering for proof of 12 months Co hab, must the officer see EVERY MONTH for 12 consecutive months?!! I have many from random dates for two years but we never got mail every single month... There's plenty coming from 2-3 months or 4 months... But for letters and what not to the same mailing address I don't have any that's from 2017-2018 Jan to Jan! Is this an issue?

 

[np08]

You don't have to have the same thing for all 12 months, but all of your proofs together must cover the 12 month period when combined. So it's okay if your bank didn't send you a letter for all 12 months as long as the other stuff you're putting in makes up for what's missing.

That's why it's good to get multiple different utilities, bank statements, insurance statements, etc. The more you have, the bigger the chances you'll cover a year with it (especially in this day and age when most people go with payperless online statements that aren't physically mailed to an address - something people planning to go common law should change asap so they have a paper trail from the beginning).

 

[Huyoen]

You don't have to have the same thing for all 12 months, but all of your proofs together must cover the 12 month period when combined. So it's okay if your bank didn't send you a letter for all 12 months as long as the other stuff you're putting in makes up for what's missing.

That's why it's good to get multiple different utilities, bank statements, insurance statements, etc. The more you have, the bigger the chances you'll cover a year with it (especially in this day and age when most people go with payperless online statements that aren't physically mailed to an address - something people planning to go common law should change asap so they have a paper trail from the beginning).

Yes that's why I'm worried as a lot of our stuff was online so our bills letters bank stuff and whatever misc sent to our mail address altogether never covers Jan Feb March April may June July August Sept Oct November and December, it's all scattered for example I have gotten a license test in June 2017, then got a bank mail April 2017, got a lease 2018, a gym membership somewhere 2016, random mail in various dates 2017 but never consecutive so I'm worried about that!

 

[Wakki]

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=347&top=14

 

[Nawar Helala]

what if we lived in a country where it is impossible to have any of these documents.
Example: I was living with my girlfriend in Syria for almost 2 years I had to leave and come to Canada because of the war (running away form military service which is obligatory for men )
she couldn't come because we are not married and now I am sponsoring her as a common law.
But even my parents who lived together for 32 years don't have a joint bank account or bills in both their names because in Syria every is in one name and we do not put the address on any kind of document ???

 

[Huyoen]

My question is, does 12 month mean I have to provide Jan to Jan every single month worth of bills etc? Or can it be 2-3 months difference

 

[Wakki]

My question is, does 12 month mean I have to provide Jan to Jan every single month worth of bills etc? Or can it be 2-3 months difference

the 12 months does not have to be consecutive....total should be at least 12 months backed by supporting documents to proof.

 

[Wakki]

what if we lived in a country where it is impossible to have any of these documents.
Example: I was living with my girlfriend in Syria for almost 2 years I had to leave and come to Canada because of the war (running away form military service which is obligatory for men )
she couldn't come because we are not married and now I am sponsoring her as a common law.
But even my parents who lived together for 32 years don't have a joint bank account or bills in both their names because in Syria every is in one name and we do not put the address on any kind of document ???

you may provide explanation but need to convince IRCC of the genuineness of your relationship.....hence the supporting documents as required in the checklist need to be provided......you don't need to provide all, at least minimum is sections of the checklist

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=347&top=14

you may also consider conjugal partner

If you’re in conjugal relationship
A conjugal partner is:

• a person who is living outside Canada,
• in a conjugal relationship with the sponsor for at least one year, and
• could not live with the sponsor as a couple because of reasons beyond their control (e.g. immigration barrier, religious reasons or sexual orientation).

This term applies to both opposite and same-sex couples.

You can sponsor a conjugal partner if:

• there is a significant degree of attachment between the two of you, implying not just a physical relationship but a mutually interdependent relationship, and
• you’ve been in a genuine (real) relationship for at least 12 months where marriage or cohabitation (living together) hasn’t been possible because of barriers such as sexual orientation, religious faith, etc.

Important: If you’re applying in the conjugal partner class, the person being sponsored cannot be living in Canada.

 

[Huyoen]

Hi wakki, when you talk supporting document, what do you mean? I personally think filing taxes together is a very strong tie for common law, but I do not have consecutive 12 month proofs. What do you suggest to provide? Maybe I can go to bank and ask them to print statements and what not?

 

[Wakki]

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=347&top=14