Common-law partner8 ]0 b7 U& g# `2 e
You are a common-law partner—either of opposite sex or same-sex—if you have been living with your sponsor in a conjugal relationship for at least one year. The year of living together must be a continuous 12-month period and cannot be intermittent periods that add up to one year. However, you are allowed temporary absences for short periods of time for business travel or family reasons.& T4 \0 P# I, j& [: x
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You will have to provide documents that prove that you and your common-law partner have combined your affairs and have set up your household together in one home. This could include:
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+ R8 B4 G) H+ kjoint bank accounts or credit cards;
, r7 Z; h# n! E% C, J& e2 }joint ownership of a home; ' H h: T1 i" }0 |4 Z( R
joint residential leases; 1 B8 G3 a) j' _" t7 N( B* i5 J
joint rental receipts;
7 D( o% x/ R9 O7 S9 z3 Xjoint utilities (electricity, gas, telephone);
, a3 g- ^8 z6 S0 e1 _4 Kjoint management of household expenses; 4 Y$ q9 P) g3 q7 f
proof of joint purchases, especially for household items; or
! B# n7 v2 y, [+ O2 Mcorrespondence addressed to either person or both people at the same address
