Question about Marriage license plz!!

[jnb845]

I have been living with my Canadian girlfriend here in Ottawa for 10 months, so we're planning to apply PR and Sponsorship when I fulfill continuously 12 months on this November.
But what if I get married to her, I mean without ceremony just get marriage license/certificate in the city hall.
Can I apply PR and sponsorship just right away without waiting until November?

Which one would be better and faster? Of course I'm gonna apply with outland process.

And also I have a few evidences such as Driver's license and Mails the fact that I live with my girlfriend. But will it be good idea if we open a Joint Bank Account together to prove the evidence too Or doesn't matter?

[CharlieD10]

Married spouses are not processed faster than common-law or conjugal spouses, so as far as "faster" is concerned, it really makes no difference.  The ony difference is the burden of proof, in that common-law couples MUST prove 12 months of continuous cohabitation, whereas married couples do not have to fulfill that requirement, they need to be legally married.

In terms of proving a genuine relationship, all 3 types of spouses have the same burden of proof, they must all show they developed and have a continuing genuine relationship; what kinds of proof they present will vary depending on the relationship.

Opening a joint account is a financial decision, not an immigration one.  Don't look at it from just the point of view that "it looks better for immigration", decide whether you actually want and need one.  It has very little value if you open it and do nothing with it because you just wanted more proof for immigration.  If you have a joint account, they are going to look to see if you genuinely combined your affairs and used the account, of if you just opened one because it looks good on your application.

[jnb845]

I see. Thank you for your answer.
Quick Question!

I'm totally depend on my girlfriend. I work but we don't have joint-ownership of home, joint-utilities, or joint-purchases at all.
The only things I can prove are driver's license's and a few mails' same address from government.
Will it be so weak to prove that?

So we're thinking maybe marriage would be better. Not only we can get marriage license without ceremony but also apply PR and Sponsorship immediately.

Please answer that which one would be better for us.

[canadianwoman]

You need a lot of proof that you were living together for a year. You can get affadavits from your landlord and friends and relatives stating that they know you have been living together for a year and that they believe you are a genuine couple.
Getting married will be easier in your case because you don't have much proof you are living together. If you do get married, though, make sure it does not look like you did it just to immigrate! Make the wedding look special - even if it is just the two of you at city hall with a couple of witnesses, you can make it look special. Get dressed up, go out for dinner afterward or have a small reception, etc.