Marital Status While Filling Out Forms

[lbde35]

I am currently in the process of being sponsored by my Canadian girlfriend under the category of common-law. During that time I simultaneously am filling out forms for an open-work permit and will send everything in a large packet. The work permit application asks for my marital status and I am wondering whether or not I communicate that I am "single" or in a "common-law" relationship. I am wondering because during the time that I fill out this form I will be "single" but perhaps while the information is being processed I will be sponsored under "common-law". My instincts are saying "single" but I want to be sure.

Also is it necessary to fill out the following form Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union [IMM 5409] (PDF, 636.51KB) which is also included in the work permit packet.

 

[WeegieInOttawa]

I am currently in the process of being sponsored by my Canadian girlfriend under the category of common-law. During that time I simultaneously am filling out forms for an open-work permit and will send everything in a large packet. The work permit application asks for my marital status and I am wondering whether or not I communicate that I am "single" or in a "common-law" relationship. I am wondering because during the time that I fill out this form I will be "single" but perhaps while the information is being processed I will be sponsored under "common-law". My instincts are saying "single" but I want to be sure.

Single is definitely not the answer!

You must be common law at time of submitting (actually posting) your application. You cannot submit under the premise that you will "become" common law during the application processing.

How long have you and your partner been living together?

 

[lbde35]

We have been living together a year at this time, though not completely in Canada. We have filled out a packet documenting our relationship, which we will send with the application for sponsorship.

We are applying in Quebec btw.

 

[WeegieInOttawa]

We have been living together a year at this time, though not completely in Canada. We have filled out a packet documenting our relationship, which we will send with the application for sponsorship.

So you are common law... Im not sure why you would think you would put single when applying for COMMON LAW sponsorship?

You have been living together continuously for one year? As a couple? And you have the evidence/proof of this one year period of cohabitation?

 

[lbde35]

I guess I was overall confused by the automatic status of the relationship being changed after one year. Thank you this answers my question. However yes as a couple we have lived together for one year. We have proof of this.

 

[Rob_TO]

I guess I was overall confused by the automatic status of the relationship being changed after one year. Thank you this answers my question. However yes as a couple we have lived together for one year. We have proof of this.

Has the 12 months of cohabitation been continuous? Or was there a large break during the time living together in another country then in Canada?

Once you have reached the 12 continuous months (living anywhere in the world), you are officially common-law for tax and immigration purposes on that date, so all forms must be filled out as such.

Note for CRA tax purposes, if your 12 months was anytime in 2017 then anyone filing a Canadian tax return would need to use common-law status for 2017 tax year.