Two fathers issue (sponsoring a spouse)

[mtl514]

Guys, I am so confused about what to do and write, since I have 2 dads!

I am the sponsor and I arrived in Canada with my step-dad in 2000. For 14 years, Canada has considered my step-dad as my father. My biological dad is only on my Birth Certificate. So...

What do I write in the forms, which dad? Also, if my biological dad has a new family and kids, do I have to write them in the family info??? It's so comlicated, argh

I have nothing to do with my bio dad and with his kids.

I don't want to get CIC confused, what should I do??? Help! :-X

 

[Avadava]

Write your step dad as your father on the forms, but include an explanation about your biological dad (which appears on your birth certificate) on a separate sheet of paper. If you don't have any contact with your biological dad, make sure to mention that.

If you step dad ever adopted you legally, you can include that document too.


P.S. This is what I would do if I were you, maybe others can advise you differently.

 

[mtl514]

Write your step dad as your father on the forms, but include an explanation about your biological dad (which appears on your birth certificate) on a separate sheet of paper. If you don't have any contact with your biological dad, make sure to mention that.

If you step dad ever adopted you legally, you can include that document too.


P.S. This is what I would do if I were you, maybe others can advise you differently.

He didn't adopt me legally since we left for Canada when I was already 18... Thanks for the advice, btw. I'll wait for some more opinions

 

[saria1]

I can only speak about the USA, but I know if it was a situation here, step dads hold no legal bearing. He didn't adopt you. Though he is a permanent part of your life, he shouldn't even be mentioned in any part of the application that asks for information about your father, this needs to be about your biological father only. If you feel the need to explain your step father situation, then attach a note. Keep it legal and to the facts they ask for. Don't skew the father/step-father line. There is a big difference.

 

[Rob_TO]

He didn't adopt me legally since we left for Canada when I was already 18... Thanks for the advice, btw. I'll wait for some more opinions

Step-father is not your dad for CIC / PR purposes. Only your biological or adopted father.

It really shouldn't matter anyways, especially for the sponsor. I don't think CIC would actually use the "father" info. You just put their name and birthday and that's it.

Only reason you would need to explain further, is if step-dad is giving you a support/declaration letter or something like that.

 

[mtl514]

Step-father is not your dad for CIC / PR purposes. Only your biological or adopted father.

It really shouldn't matter anyways, especially for the sponsor. I don't think CIC would actually use the "father" info. You just put their name and birthday and that's it.

Only reason you would need to explain further, is if step-dad is giving you a support/declaration letter or something like that.

Ok, I see... Yes, my step-dad and my mom are giving us a support letter, because we are planning to live with them in Canada.
So, I will write my father's info and my half-brother and sister's too and I will attach a sheet of paper explaining about my step-dad.

Thanks a lot to all of you!!

 

[Rob_TO]

So, I will write my father's info and my half-brother and sister's too

If you are the sponsor, why would you include your brothers and sisters?

That info is only needed for the applicant. Sponsor only needs to put their mother and father's info (IMM5540E form).

 

[mtl514]

If you are the sponsor, why would you include your brothers and sisters?

That info is only needed for the applicant. Sponsor only needs to put their mother and father's info (IMM5540E form).

I'm quoting:

"Schedule A – Background/Declaration (IMM 5669)

Who must fill out this application form?
This form must be completed by:
you, the principal applicant;
your spouse or common-law partner (whether accompanying you to Canada or not)"

"Additional Family Information (IMM 5406)

Who needs to fill out this application form?
This form must be completed by:
You, as the principal applicant,
Your spouse or common-law partner (whether accompanying you to Canada or not)"

Meaning I too need to fill this application out and one of the questions is about my siblings or half-siblings.

 

[Rob_TO]

I'm quoting:

"Schedule A – Background/Declaration (IMM 5669)

Who must fill out this application form?
This form must be completed by:
you, the principal applicant;
your spouse or common-law partner (whether accompanying you to Canada or not)"

"Additional Family Information (IMM 5406)

Who needs to fill out this application form?
This form must be completed by:
You, as the principal applicant,
Your spouse or common-law partner (whether accompanying you to Canada or not)"

Meaning I too need to fill this application out and one of the questions is about my siblings or half-siblings.

Your spouse or common-law partner (whether accompanying you to Canada or not)"

That is referring to spouse of the applicant that is also being sponsored or needs to be listed as non-accompanying. That is NOT for the sponsor.

Sponsor does NOT need to fill this out.

 

[rhcohen2014]

exactly. FOLLOW THE CHECKLISTS! If the form isn't on the sponsor's checklist, then the sponsor does NOT need to fill them out. Likewise, only the applicant needs to fill out the forms on the applicant's list. As stated above, if a "spouse" is listed, that is ONLY for a spouse who is also being sponsored to become pr.

 

[mtl514]

exactly. FOLLOW THE CHECKLISTS! If the form isn't on the sponsor's checklist, then the sponsor does NOT need to fill them out. Likewise, only the applicant needs to fill out the forms on the applicant's list. As stated above, if a "spouse" is listed, that is ONLY for a spouse who is also being sponsored to become pr.

Oh! That's great! I thought about it, but wanted to be extra prepared and wasn't sure if they meant a spouse that is being sponsored too. They don't explain thoroughly and I didn't want to have a missing document.
Thank you so much for the invaluable help!

 

[CMLR]

I am the applicant and when I filled out my forms I was not sure what to do either. My grandparents on both sides, were divorced more than 60-65 years ago. My mother was adopted by her stepfather, my father took on his step fathers last name but did not legally change it until he was married and had 3 children of his own. I did not know what to do. My sponsor and I went through a consultant. She told me to make sure I listed both my parents names at birth as well as what they later became. In my fathers case my birth certificate actually has his step fathers last name even though it was not yet legally changed and yes it was the last name my siblings and I were given at birth. These sorts of family backgrounds such as the OP listed and many others like mine make it hard to always know what to do. I was also advised to list all my step siblings as well, since my father remarried after divorcing my mother and the children from his wife's first marriage are a part of my family. In my case my father has been married to this woman since I was a teen so they are like siblings to me after all these years. I guess it is better to list everyone even if they are not always needed rather than to leave someone out that you later have to explain about. But it sure can be confusing.