Family Class Sponsorship Checklist: Spouse, Common-Law Partner, or Child

Use this checklist to prepare a permanent residence application for sponsoring a spouse, common-law partner, or dependent child to Canada.

Principal Applicant (Person Being Sponsored)

Identity and Immigration Documents

Passports:

• Current valid passport (all biography, signature, visa, and stamp pages)

• All previous passports (all biography, signature, visa, and stamp pages)

If currently in Canada:

• Copy of temporary resident visa, study permit, work permit, or visitor record

• Include any out-of-status documentation if applicable

Birth certificates:

• Your birth certificate or baptismal certificate

• Birth certificates for all your children (whether accompanying you or not)

Country-specific documents (if required for your country):

• National identity cards for you and all family members

• Family booklet (if applicable)

• Check country-specific requirements

Application Forms

• Applicant Details Form

• Family Information Form

Background Documents

Police certificates:

• From every country where you lived for 6 consecutive months or more since age 18

• Exclude Canada (IRCC obtains Canadian police certificates directly)

• Must be issued within 6 months of application submission

PR photos:

• Must meet IRCC permanent residence specifications

Immigration medical exam:

• Required for all PR applicants

• IRCC will send instructions after initial application review

Learn more about medical exams

Civil Status Documents

Current Relationship

If legally married:

• Marriage certificate or official proof that marriage is legally registered with government authorities

• Certificate must show marriage is legally valid where it took place

If in civil union:

• Civil union certificate or document

If in common-law relationship

• Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union (IMM 5409) duly signed and notarized

Previous Relationships (if applicable)

If previously married:

• Final divorce certificate for each previous marriage

• If still legally married to someone other than sponsor: proof of legal separation (court documents, separate tax returns, separation agreement)

If previous marriage was annulled:

• Copy of annulment certificate

If former spouse deceased:

• Death certificate of former spouse or common-law partner

If previously sponsored:

• Written explanation including name and date of birth of previous sponsor(s)

• Outcome of previous sponsorship

Sponsor Documents

Application Form

• Sponsor Details Form

Proof of Status in Canada

If sponsor is a permanent resident:

• Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR)

• PR card (front and back)

If sponsor is a Canadian citizen (provide one or more):

• Canadian citizenship certificate or card (both sides)

• Canadian passport (current and expired)

• Canadian birth certificate

Previous Relationships (if applicable)

If sponsor previously married:

• Certificate of divorce

• Final judgment or decree absolute

Financial and Employment Documents

• Current employment letter (including position, salary, start date)

• Most recent Notice of Assessment from Canada Revenue Agency

• Proof of income and financial stability

Proof of Relationship: Living Together

If you and your sponsor currently live together, provide at least 2 (more the better) documents from different categories:

Joint Ownership or Tenancy

• Joint ownership of residential property

• Rental agreement showing both as occupants

Joint Accounts or Utilities

• Joint utility accounts (electricity, gas, phone, internet)

• Joint credit card or bank accounts

• Provide at least 1 recent joint bill

Shared Address

• Vehicle insurance listing both at same address

• Government-issued documents showing same address (driver's licenses, health cards)

• Provide at least 1 government document per person

Other Shared Documents

• Cell phone bills, pay stubs, tax forms showing same address

• Bank or credit card statements at same address

• Insurance policies at same address

• Provide at least 1 document per person

Proof of Relationship: Not Living Together

If you and your sponsor do NOT currently live together:

Proof of Contact

Communication evidence (maximum 10 pages):

• Letters, emails, text message printouts

• Social media conversations (screenshots)

• Chat logs or messaging app conversations

• Cover entire relationship period with samples from different dates

Proof of Visits

Evidence of in-person visits:

• Airline ticket stubs or used boarding passes

• Passport pages showing entry/exit stamps

• Photos from visits together

• Hotel receipts or accommodation bookings

• Travel itineraries

Relationship Photos

Provide maximum 20 photos showing (generally 20-40):

• Wedding ceremony (if married)

• Cultural or customary celebrations (engagement, traditional ceremonies)

• Couple together at different times and places

• Mix of couple-only photos and some with family/friends

• Photos from throughout the relationship (not all recent)

For each photo provide:

• Numbered label

• Date taken

• Location

• Brief description of context and people in photo

• Who took the photo

Additional Relationship Evidence

Provide at least 2 of the following (more the better):

Recognition as spouses/partners:

• Employment insurance benefits listing partner as spouse

• Life insurance policies naming partner as beneficiary

• Health insurance or dental benefits covering partner

• Pension or retirement account beneficiary designations

Financial interdependence:

• Proof of financial support between you and sponsor

• Shared expenses documentation

• Money transfers or financial assistance

• Joint investments or savings

Social recognition:

• Letters from friends and family attesting to your relationship (notarized if possible)

• Social media posts showing public relationship status

• Invitations to events as a couple

• Community or religious recognition of relationship

Past cohabitation:

• If not currently living together but did previously, provide evidence of past cohabitation (old lease agreements, utility bills, photos, etc.)

Dependent Children (if applicable)

If including dependent children in your application:

For Each Child Provide:

Identity documents:

• Valid passport (all pages)

• Birth certificate showing both parents' names

• Adoption papers (if child is adopted)

• Photograph (specifications)

If child from previous relationship:

• Custody documents or court orders

• Consent letter from other parent for child to immigrate

• Death certificate (if other parent deceased)

If child over 22:

• Medical documentation proving financial dependency due to physical or mental condition

• Proof of continuous financial support since before age 22

Document Quality and Translation

All documents must be:

• Clear, legible scans or photos

• Complete (all pages)

• In color if original is in color

• Original documents preferred

Translations:

• All non-English/French documents require certified translations

• Include both original and translation

• Translator's certification must be included

Important Notes

Processing time: 12-24+ months (varies by office and application complexity)

Relationship genuineness: IRCC assesses if relationship is genuine and not entered into primarily for immigration purposes. Provide diverse, credible evidence.

Interview: IRCC may request an interview with applicant, sponsor, or both.

Additional documents: IRCC may request additional evidence during processing. Respond promptly to all requests.

Signature Authorization (Optional)

For applicant and sponsor: Provide clear signatures on white paper with blue pen for digital insertion, or manually sign forms and send scanned copies.

Key Reminders

✅ Prove relationship is genuine with diverse evidence from throughout relationship

✅ Include evidence covering entire relationship not just recent documents

✅ Quality over quantity for photos and communication evidence

✅ Address relationship history including how you met, development of relationship

✅ Explain any gaps in contact or visits with supporting reasons

✅ Both current and previous relationships must be documented

✅ Police certificates must be recent (within 6 months of submission)

✅ All family members must be declared even if not immigrating