Statutory declaration of Common Law

[juarezse]

When I was filling out the questionnaire I answered that my common law partner and daughter were both Canadian Citizens by birth.
Now they are asking me for their documents and a Statutory Declaration of Common Law.
I have a few questions.
We never filed a joint income tax return because we had not been living together for a full year the day we both made our taxes, so I checked NO in the box. Will that give me problems?
Also, where do I have to take this to be notarized or legalized?
It says I can attach supporting documents. I was thinking about attaching our lease agreements and joint bank account statements. Do all of those documents have to be signed by the Notary because then it will get expensive?
Can someone explain that last part to me?

Thank you

 

[kryt0n]

How can my common-law partner and I prove we have been together for 12 months?
Items that can be used as proof of a common-law relationship include:

a statutory declaration of a common-law union,
statements for shared bank accounts,
shared credit cards,
proof of shared ownership of residential property,
shared residential leases,
shared rental receipts,
bills for shared utilities accounts, such as
electricity,
gas or
telephone,
proof of shared management of household expenses,
evidence of shared purchases (especially of household items),
mail addressed to either or both of you at the same address,
important documents for both of you showing the same address, such as
identification documents,
driver’s licences and
insurance policies and
any other documents that show you have been living together.
You do not need to include all these items to prove your relationship is real. Citizenship and Immigration Canada may consider other proof as well

Photos, telephone bills and letters will not be returned. Do not send videos or CD-ROMs. Documents such as marriage certificates and passports will be returned. However, you should send certified photocopies, not originals.

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

 

[kryt0n]

The form itself says it has to be motorised and gives three example of who can do it. The rest of your paperwork doesn't need to be.

You have to prove you have lived together for 12 months.

 

[jes_ON]

We never filed a joint income tax return because we had not been living together for a full year the day we both made our taxes,

That is understandable. However, you are required to file the "Change of Marital Status" form with the CRA after you have been living together for one year. Better late than never - make sure to keep a scan/copy and include it as one of the supporting documents with your application.

http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/E/pbg/tf/rc65/README.html

You do not need certified copies of any document unless specifically required.

A notarized document is one that you sign in front of a notary, who also signs it to legalize it. A statutory declaration does need to be witnessed and signed by one of the officials indicated on the form. Notary publics are the most expensive. You might be able to find a commissioner of oaths at a courhouse or Service Canada office who does it for free.

 

[juarezse]

That is understandable. However, you are required to file the "Change of Marital Status" form with the CRA after you have been living together for one year. Better late than never - make sure to keep a scan/copy and include it as one of the supporting documents with your application.

http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/E/pbg/tf/rc65/README.html

You do not need certified copies of any document unless specifically required.

A notarized document is one that you sign in front of a notary, who also signs it to legalize it. A statutory declaration does need to be witnessed and signed by one of the officials indicated on the form. Notary publics are the most expensive. You might be able to find a commissioner of oaths at a courhouse or Service Canada office who does it for free.

Once I fill out that application, where do I submit it? How long does it take?

 

[jes_ON]

Once I fill out that application, where do I submit it?
Read the instructions

How long does it take?
How long does it take for what? What are you expecting to happen? For CRA to update their records? Don't know, week or a month. Doesn't matter - the point is you've submitted it to the CRA.