Family Class: Accessing Spouses or Common-Law Partners Relationships

• a completed Relationship Information and Sponsorship Evaluation questionnaire (IMM 5532) (included in the application package)
• a marriage certificate
• proof of registration of marriage with a government (local, provincial, state or country) authority
• proof of divorce if either the applicant or spouse was previously married
• if the principal applicant and sponsor have children in common, long-form birth certificates or adoption records listing the names of both parents
• wedding invitations and photos
• a sponsor and principal applicant are expected to provide items from at least two of the following sets of documents. If they are unable to provide documents from a minimum of two of the following sets of documents, a detailed written explanation must be provided:
  • proof of joint ownership of residential property.
  • rental agreement showing both the sponsor and principal applicant as occupants of a rental property
  • proof of joint utility accounts (e.g. electricity, gas, telephone, internet), joint credit card accounts, or joint bank accounts
  • vehicle insurance showing that both the principal applicant and sponsor have been declared to the insurance company as residents of the insured’s address
  • copies of government issued documents for the principal applicant and sponsor showing the same address (e.g.: driver’s licenses)
  • other documents issued to the principal applicant and sponsor showing the same address, whether the accounts are held jointly or not (e.g. cell phone bills, pay stubs, tax forms, bank or credit card statements, insurance policies)

• a completed Relationship Information and Sponsorship Evaluation questionnaire (IMM 5532) (included in the application package)
• proof of separation from a former spouse if either the sponsor or the applicant were previously married
• a completed Statutory Declaration of Severance of Common-law Union form (IMM 5519) if either the sponsor or the applicant were previously in a common-law relationship with someone else
• if the principal applicant and sponsor have children in common, long-form birth certificates or adoption records listing the names of both parents
• photos of the sponsor and principal applicant showing they are in a conjugal relationship
• at least two of the following sets of documents. If the sponsor and principal applicant are unable to provide documents from a minimum of two of the following sets of documents, a detailed written explanation must be provided:
  • important documents for the principal applicant and sponsor showing they are recognized as each other’s common-law partner (such as employment or insurance benefits)
  • documentary evidence of financial support between the principal applicant and sponsor, and/or shared expenses
  • other proof that the relationship is recognized by friends and/or family (e.g. letters from friends/family, social medical information showing a public relationship)

If the sponsor and principal applicant are currently cohabitating, evidence from at least two of the following sets of documents showing that the principal applicant and sponsor have been living together for at least one year (e.g. documents showing the same address for both). If they are unable to provide documents from a minimum of two of the following sets of documents, a detailed written explanation must be provided:

• proof of joint ownership of residential property
• rental agreement showing both the sponsor and principal applicant as occupants of a rental property
• proof of joint utility accounts (e.g. electricity, gas, telephone, Internet), joint credit card accounts, or joint bank accounts
• vehicle insurance showing that both the principal applicant and sponsor have been declared to the insurance company as residents of the insured’s address.
• copies of government-issued documents for the principal applicant and sponsor showing the same address (e.g. driver’s licenses)
• other documents issued to the principal applicant and sponsor showing the same address, whether the accounts are held jointly or not (e.g. cellphone bills, pay stubs, tax forms, bank or credit card statements, insurance policies)

If the sponsor and principal applicant are not currently cohabitating, evidence must be provided that shows the sponsor and principal applicant cohabitated for a minimum of one year in the past, and the following must also be provided:

• proof of contact, including letters, printed text messages, emails or social media conversations, or other documented proof of contact between the principal applicant and sponsor. A maximum of 10 pages should be provided
• proof of the sponsor’s visits, such as airline ticket coupons or used boarding passes, photocopies of pages of passport for your sponsor showing entry-exit stamps supporting visits, etc. If the sponsor did not visit the principal applicant, an explanation must be included in the principal applicant’s IMM 5532 form (Part C, question 4)

One of the eligibility criteria in R124 is cohabitation with the sponsor in Canada. Documents provided as proof of the relationship should also establish that the spouse or common-law partner and the sponsor are living together. If this is not clear from the evidence available, CPC-M should request further documents or refer to a IRCC for an interview.

Evidence of cohabitation may include:

• joint bank accounts or credit cards
• joint ownership of residential property
• joint residential leases
• joint rental receipts
• joint utilities accounts (electricity, gas, telephone)
• joint management of household expenditures
• evidence of joint purchases, especially for household items
• correspondence addressed to either or both parties at the same address
• important documents of both parties showing the same address, for example, identification documents, driver’s licenses, insurance policies
• shared responsibility for household management, household chores
• children of one or both partners are residing with the couple
• record of telephone calls

Persons who are not cohabiting with their sponsor at the time IRCC seeks to grant permanent residence (persons who have been removed or who have left Canada voluntarily) are not eligible under the Spouse or common-law partner class. They may, however, seek to apply in the family class (overseas), which would require them to submit a new application.