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F2.20.15 Evidence of living together in partnership that is genuine and stable
a. Evidence that the principal applicant and partner are living together may include but is not limited to original or certified copies of documents showing shared accommodation such as:
i joint ownership of residential property
ii joint tenancy agreement or rent book or rental receipts
iii correspondence (including postmarked envelopes) addressed to both principal applicant and partner at the same address.

b. If a couple has been living separately for any period during their partnership, they should provide evidence of the length of the periods of separation, the reasons for them, and how their relationship was maintained during the periods of separation, such as letters, itemised telephone accounts or e-mail messages.

c. Evidence about whether the partnership is genuine and stable may include but is not limited to, original or certified copies of documents and any other information such as:
i a marriage certificate for the parties;
ii a civil union certificate for the parties;
iii birth certificates of any children of the parties;
iv evidence of communication between the parties;
v photographs of the parties together;
vi documents indicating public recognition of the partnership;
vii evidence of the parties being committed to each other both emotionally and exclusively such as evidence of:
 joint decision making and plans together
 sharing of parental obligations
 sharing of household activities
 sharing of companionship/spare time
 sharing of leisure and social activities
 presentation by the parties to outsiders as a couple.
viii evidence of being financially interdependent such as evidence of
 shared income
 joint bank accounts operated reasonably frequently over a reasonable time
 joint assets
 joint liabilities such as loans or credit to purchase real estate, cars, major home appliances
 joint utilities accounts (electricity, gas, water, telephone)
 mutually agreed financial arrangements.

d. The presence or absence of any of the documents, information or evidence listed above is not determinative. Each case will be decided on the basis of all the evidence provided.
Evidence about these matters may also be obtained at interview and can be considered up until the date of final decision.

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