statutory declaration vs notarized letter

[Lady_Ashka]

I was just wondering: for the letters in support of our relationship (Canadian sponsor and Polish common law wife) the guidebook calls for
""a minimum of two statutory declarations from individuals with personal knowledge of your
relationship supporting your claim that the relationship is genuine and continuing"http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/guides/3902e.pdf" - but I think most people just get the letters their families and friends wrote notarized (i.e. a notary puts their seal on the letter and attests the person signing the letter is the person who the person is claiming to be). But now I am panicking - should these be indeed 'statutory declarations' and not notarized letters? Or is it the same thing?

 

[cyclist]

Statutory declarations don't have to be notarized. But must be in English..it can be from any one who knows your relationship is genuine and continuing. Most likely friends and family members.

 

[Rob_TO]

Statutory declarations don't have to be notarized.

Yes they do, that is the very legal definition of a "statutory declaration". It must be done in front of a person who is authorized to administer oaths (like a lawyer or notary), so that person will need to stamp or sign the document.

 

[profiler]

Yes they do, that is the very legal definition of a "statutory declaration". It must be done in front of a person who is authorized to administer oaths (like a lawyer or notary), so that person will need to stamp or sign the document.

I had to submit a statutory declaration of severance because of my ex common-law gf. The CIC told me it didn't need to be notarized or commissioned. Just state the facts, sign and date.

To date, they haven't sent the application back, and background checks have been underway for 2 months...

 

[Sous02]

I had to submit a statutory declaration of severance because of my ex common-law gf. The CIC told me it didn't need to be notarized or commissioned. Just state the facts, sign and date.

To date, they haven't sent the application back, and background checks have been underway for 2 months...

Statuatory declaration and notarized are the same thing. You must have an official witness the declaration. Hopefully CIC will not ask for new papers. The fact that checks have been underway for two months does not mean a lot. Ours did and then a sudden request for additional information.

 

[profiler]

Statuatory declaration and notarized are the same thing. You must have an official witness the declaration. Hopefully CIC will not ask for new papers. The fact that checks have been underway for two months does not mean a lot. Ours did and then a sudden request for additional information.

Understood. If they send it back or ask for resubmissions, because of my following their explicit instructions, then it's ok.

I specifically asked directly to the CIC about the notary or having the letter commissioned. They told me it wasn't required for that declaration.

It seems that it depends on who is making the declaration, or what the purpose for it is.

 

[Sous02]

Understood. If they send it back or ask for resubmissions, because of my following their explicit instructions, then it's ok.

I specifically asked directly to the CIC about the notary or having the letter commissioned. They told me it wasn't required for that declaration.

It seems that it depends on who is making the declaration, or what the purpose for it is.

It depends on who answers the phone I am afraid to say. It is the same confusion over certified translations. Better to be extra cautious and do everything. We followed their instructions on personal history and only went back ten years only to have them request until she was 18. I did not learn about that until it was already sent in. Silly me, I followed their instructions

 

[Lady_Ashka]

thanks for all the responses guys I actually just wanted to know if a letter written by a friend and then their signature notarized by a notary was the same as a statutory declaration, which is a more official way of phrasing information in the letter, and which also, by definition, needs to be signed in the presence of a notary. So both get seals and notarizations, it's just the phrasing and name of the file (letter vs stat decl) is what I was wondering about.

I want to thank all that answered this question, especially through PMs - you're great guys!

Profiler - you'll probably have to wait an see if they will get back to you asking for a notarized letter, fingers crossed all goes well!

 

[cyclist]

Statutory declarations don't have to be notarized. But must be in English..it can be from any one who knows your relationship is genuine and continuing. Most likely friends and family members.

on that guide you are talking about under the " proof of relationship to sponsor" there documents need to be provided in order to proof your relationship s genuine.. on that form CIC asks for individual letters ..not notorized letters.. there is another document called IMM5409..."statatory declaration of common law''thats the one needs to be notarized.

I sent letters from frineds and family in English without notarizing.

 

[canphil]

For common law you need to submit 2 notarized statutory declarations or letters. In the guide it says they PREFER statutory declarations but notarized letters would be ok too.

 

[Rob_TO]

on that guide you are talking about under the " proof of relationship to sponsor" there documents need to be provided in order to proof your relationship s genuine.. on that form CIC asks for individual letters ..not notorized letters..

The guide states:
If you are a common-law or conjugal partner, also provide:
• at least two statutory declarations from individuals with personal knowledge of your
relationship supporting your claim that the relationship is genuine and continuing

Statutory = notarized. Of course this is only for common-law, it's not required for married couples. For married couples just regular letters will do and totally optional if you want to make them statutory letters or not.

 

[Sous02]

True but how much weight do you think cic puts in letters that could be written by anybody? I would get a few notarized and then a few more not.

 

[cyclist]

Hopefully the officers who review my application accept my letters without notarization.

 

[Sous02]

Hopefully the officers who review my application accept my letters without notarization.

I don't think yes or no will hinge on just this. If the rest of your application is strong I would not worry.

 

[cyclist]

I don't think yes or no will hinge on just this. If the rest of your application is strong I would not worry.

You are right it is only one of the ways of proving your relationship..