The official IRCC document checklist for common-law partner sponsorship must be followed closely, because it sets out exactly what the sponsor and applicant must submit for a complete permanent residence application. In general, a common-law sponsorship file includes the following categories of documents and forms.
Common-law sponsorship document checklist (what you can expect to include)
Required forms (sponsor + applicant)
Sponsor forms: Application to Sponsor / Sponsorship Agreement and Undertaking, plus the Relationship Information and Sponsorship Evaluation form completed by both partners.
Applicant PR forms: Generic PR application, background/declaration, and additional family information forms (plus any country-specific forms requested in the checklist).
Optional forms (if applicable): Use of a Representative and/or Authority to Release Personal Information.
Identity and civil status documents
Valid passports/travel documents (biographic pages and any pages required by the checklist), birth certificates, and any legal name-change documents if applicable, with certified translations where required.Proof you meet the common-law definition (12 months of cohabitation)
IRCC commonly accepts items such as a joint lease/rental agreement, shared ownership of residential property, joint utility accounts or shared bills (e.g., phone/electricity), and government or important documents showing the same address for both partners (e.g., driver’s licences, insurance).Proof the relationship is genuine and ongoing
Supporting evidence selected from the checklist (for example, shared financial responsibilities, correspondence addressed to both partners at the same address, and other documentation showing an ongoing interdependent relationship).Applicant status documents (if applying inland / in Canada)
Proof the applicant has valid temporary resident status in Canada (visitor, student, worker), unless covered by a public policy, as IRCC expects for in-Canada class applications.Police certificates
Police certificates are generally required for the applicant from the country where they currently live and any country where they have lived for 6+ months since age 18, as specified in IRCC’s instructions.Medical exam and biometrics
The applicant must complete biometrics and a medical exam when requested by IRCC as part of admissibility screening.Fees and supporting payment proof
Proof of payment for the sponsorship and permanent residence processing fees (and biometrics where applicable), submitted as instructed in the checklist.
Because requirements can vary by situation (especially the applicant’s country of residence and whether you apply inland or outland), the IRCC checklist generated for your application remains the authoritative list of what to upload.
