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)
Application Forms
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
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