Declaration of Common-Law Union etc.

[nicolemarie]

Hello everyone,
I'm sure this question has been answered somewhere else but I can't seem to find the answer. I'm currently filling out my inland application for PR through common-law sponsorship and I am unsure about some of the forms. Do I need to send in the Statutory Declaration of Common-law Union? I don't have much for proof of our relationship because I just graduated from university and have no funds to contribute to our household. I'm sending in photographs of us from trips together, personal emails, and 3 notarized letters of support from some friends. Is this enough or should I send in the Declaration as well?
Cheers

[kelKel]

Its not actually required but I would get it notarized and include it.  I didn't and had it requested afterward adding time to my process. Can I ask where you're from and why're you choosing to apply inland?

[nicolemarie]

I'm an American citizen but after I graduated from university I came to Canada to live with my boyfriend. So currently I'm living in Manitoba with him. I will have been here a year next month so I wanted to get the immigration process rolling as quickly as possible because I'm just here on a visitor visa at the moment. I wanted to apply inland because if they do ask me for an interview I can't travel to Buffalo.

[kelKel]

Any reason you couldn't travel to buffalo as an American?  The inland application is much longer and you have no right to appeal.  You can still remain in Canada while apply through Buffalo.  We were approved in less than 5 months.

Put together a solid strong application you won't be interviewed. The reason I suggest Outland is that you'll most likely be approved before they even open your application in Alberta.  It's ultimately your choice though. 

[Tiggilicious]

We included the common-law union, as I have heard that they have requested it from some of those that are common law.  I didnt want that to delay our application at all

[nicolemarie]

Can you send the inland application to Buffalo or do you have to fill out the outland one?  I know it takes way longer for inland but I thought it was 6-8 months before you could get your work permit. Which is really important for us because my partner is supporting both of us right now so it's hard to save up for a house. And that outland takes a year?

[nezya]

Can you send the inland application to Buffalo or do you have to fill out the outland one?  I know it takes way longer for inland but I thought it was 6-8 months before you could get your work permit. Which is really important for us because my partner is supporting both of us right now so it's hard to save up for a house. And that outland takes a year?

No if you apply inland you will send your application to Vegriville.  If you apply outland you can submit your application to Buffalo and it's quicker than inland.

[AlieW]

Back to the originally question, as i'm not in a position to really way in on inland vs. outland, we didn't include the declaration however, if you can get it notartized easily I would include it.

Also - make sure that you send proof with regards to your common-law relationship. What you mentioned was good for a genuine and continuing relationship. However you also have to prove common-law (aka that you lived together for a year). Below is a list of things they want to see:

"Provide written and documentary evidence of your relationship. (For example, insurance policies, wills, anything naming your partner as benificiary, documents showing travel together, identity documents showing same address, documents showing joint ownership of possessions, joint mortgage/loan/rental agreements/bank accounts, ect)"

- I would suggest sending as much as possible, you mentioned that you had just finished studying so the wills, insurance policies may not apply - but send in your joint rentail agreements, letters sent to both of you at the same address, joing bank accounts ect.