putting our proof of relationship together

[mameelynn]

Hi I'm getting all of our paperwork ready and I'm working on getting our proof of relationship together and I was wondering which way to do it.  So both myself and my husband are writing our story out but I'm wondering if I should write things and then give a *see example 1* and send them to a copy of the pics or e-mails or whatnot or if I can just write our whole story out and then attach it to the stack of photo's, emails, cards, tickets, wedding invite, marriage certificate copy, birth certificate's, lease agreements, bank statements and whatnot with explanations on what they are.  How did all of you compile your proof of relationship?  I would rather do the letter and then explain it instead of the *example #* thing just because I would worry about messing up the numbering and what not.  Any thoughts?  Thanks!!

[Timemachine]

I am FINALLY going to send off our application tomorrow, so i'll tell you how we did it.  We divided up our stuff in three separate large envelopes.  The first envelope contains all the Sponsor application forms, in order according to the check list, with the checklist on top, and a table of contents on top of that.  Also in that same envelope is the Sponsor supporting documents such as the Option C, employment letters, etc, also with a table of contents on top.  Each of these are separated into sections with paperclips. 

I put all the sponsor stuff together cause i think thats all they look at in mississauga, so to make it easier, i put it all together so they don't have to go looking in the other folders.

Then i have an envelope with just the Applicant's forms, again with a table of contents at the front. Oh, and every page in the application is numbered by hand on the bottom right hand corner.

Lastly i have an envelope containing all the Applicant's supporting documents, with table of contents, pages numbered, etc.  Some examples of what i have in here are photos (about 65, with descriptions written on the backs), chat logs, emails, phone logs, copies of our degrees to show that we met at school, a copy of our graduation program, a copy of his sister's wedding program showing us as part of the wedding party, joint credit card statements, marriage certificate, fbi clearance, medical form, etc.


All three envelopes are then held together using a large elastic band, and then placed in the envelope.  I am planning on sending it via Canada Post NextDayAM Service with signature required to the courier address.  I am hoping this will be okay!

Oh, and with respect to the "story" that we included in the application, we each wrote our own and attached it to our respective application packages.  It would definitely be helpful to reference the different pieces of evidence you are including in the letter as well.  Hope this helps!

[AllisonVSC]

Try to make it as clear and as easy as possible for someone who doesn't know you to understand your story and how your evidence supports that story. If that means writing "see example 1" then go for it.

My partner and I wrote ours together using a timeline approach. We wrote our "Relationship Chronology" in Word and copied 8-9 pictures into the document. We also included our handwritten rough draft because it showed both our handwriting and then we attached some emails and letters of support from friends and family. We included itineraries and beneficiary info, joint account type evidence too, but we bundled that stuff separate from the Chronology.

We tried not to overwhelm the officer with material, but were careful to select pieces of evidence that showed 1. our commitment to each other, 2. the passage of time (5 years and numerous hairstyles for me!!), 3. interactions with each others friends and family including my support of him (emotional support, not financial) in raising his teenage son.