Proof of relationship

[MichaelHugh]

Hi guys. Sure I'm not the first asking this, but, my wife(Korean) and I(Canadian) have been married 13 years and ALL our 'official' documents here in Korea have always been in her name only. So bills, utilities, bank accounts, lease agreements are all in her name only. Is this normal for Korea. Can I just write a letter explaining this? Thanks in advance.

 

[Aquakitty]

Hi guys. Sure I'm not the first asking this, but, my wife(Korean) and I(Canadian) have been married 13 years and ALL our 'official' documents here in Korea have always been in her name only. So bills, utilities, bank accounts, lease agreements are all in her name only. Is this normal for Korea. Can I just write a letter explaining this? Thanks in advance.

You should add your name to a few of those to satisfy the requirements. You have to prove you've lived together for all that time. You must have joint bank accounts, credit cards, insurance, something?

 

[trikiliki]

For sure as mentioned get yourself added to the lease. You can also include car insurance with you listed as a second driver, your drivers license, other id, and your own mail showing that it is the same address.

 

[wait_so_long]

All these "proofs" that you guys are mentioning, wouldn't they be required only to substantiate a common-law relationship? After 13 years of marriage, would they still require such proof? And if they didn't have any joint stuff for 13 years, then suddenly decided to get some, wouldn't that seem a bit dis-genuine? Just wondering how CIC would interpret, or misinterpret, that.

 

[trikiliki]

You have a good point and while they are mandatory to have for common law applications, I don't necessarily think these types of evidence are only applicable to common law relationships. 13 years married abroad, living and applying outland would require some sort of proof of joint living and ongoing genuine relationship. I agree anything that depicts a brand new joint venture looks odd sure, but its also equally strange to have absolutely nothing after 13 years of marriage and living together as well. I don't think simply being married for 13 years with a marriage certificate as the only proof of an ongoing relationship is going to cut it.

 

[Aquakitty]

All these "proofs" that you guys are mentioning, wouldn't they be required only to substantiate a common-law relationship? After 13 years of marriage, would they still require such proof? And if they didn't have any joint stuff for 13 years, then suddenly decided to get some, wouldn't that seem a bit dis-genuine? Just wondering how CIC would interpret, or misinterpret, that.

For married couples living together, the lease is not required. You can provide other proof. And if you add your name to a current bank account, it's not going to show any dates. In my mind, these forms are pretty specific, and this is the Government we are talking about. If they want a certain item, just give it to them even if it seems silly. It's not exactly much work to do. You can add someone to a credit card online even.

You can also have your landlord sign a form stating you both have lived there together for X amount of years instead of a lease, along with the other documentation.

 

[Sous02]

Hi guys. Sure I'm not the first asking this, but, my wife(Korean) and I(Canadian) have been married 13 years and ALL our 'official' documents here in Korea have always been in her name only. So bills, utilities, bank accounts, lease agreements are all in her name only. Is this normal for Korea. Can I just write a letter explaining this? Thanks in advance.

Assuming there is nothing else unusual about your 13 yr marriage you do not need to worry. A letter from you will be enough. Concentrate on proving your intent to move back to Canada. This is very important

 

[SRafiq]

Joint bank accounts, both your drivers licences showing same address, Tax letters, tax declaration if Korea you put spouse on your tax form(?). Insurance documents with both your names on it. Try and get your bills changed now and put the one in that you get. What about your wage slips, do they show same address? Basically find anything.

I was in similar situation I put in the above and I put in a lot.

You say you have no child but if so the child's birth certificate and Canadian Citizen Certificate.

Hope that helps.

 

[MichaelHugh]

Have translated and notarized our 'official' Korean documents. Do bills, lease agreements, insurance contracts, etc. that have both our names and shared addresses also have to be translated? That seems a bit excessive. Was planning on simply highlighting our names and address? What a headache this is becoming! Thanks.

 

[MichaelHugh]

SRafiq. Did you translate all of our bank/address statements?