What documents are required to prove the genuineness and stability of a relationship for partner (married/de facto) immigration?

Hello, since you're asking this question, I imagine you're currently preparing or considering applying for a partner visa? Don't worry. Although the process seems document-heavy, if you're genuinely together with your partner and put effort into your application, the immigration authorities will see that. Let me break it down for you to give you a clearer picture.

The core thing Immigration wants to see is one thing: your relationship is genuine and stable. They don’t just want to see a marriage certificate or a few photos; they want to piece together a complete picture of your shared life through various documents.

Think of all your evidence as fitting into four big drawers. Each drawer holds different types of proof to show you’re a couple, not just roommates.

Category 1: Evidence of Living Together

This is the most fundamental and crucial category, proving you share a home.

• Joint Tenancy Agreement or Proof of Joint Home Ownership: This is gold-standard proof! If renting, the lease must have both your names. If you own the property, having both names on the deed is even better.
• Joint Utility Bills: Bills like electricity, water, internet, gas, etc., are best if in both names. If not, it's still valid to show bills in your name for one month (e.g., electricity) and your partner's name the next (e.g., internet), addressed to the same location.
• Mail Sent to the Same Address: Very important! This can include bank statements, Inland Revenue (IRD) letters, driver's licenses, correspondence from government agencies, or even parcel delivery slips. Aim to provide letters addressed to each of you at the same address over different periods, spanning a significant length of time to prove long-term residence.
• Statements from Friends/Family: If living with friends or family, ask them to write a letter confirming you both lived together as a couple at their address during a specific timeframe.

Tip: The timeline of your evidence is essential. If claiming to have lived together for a year, provide letters and bills covering that entire year, not just the last few months.

Category 2: Evidence of Financial Interdependence

Proof that you rely on each other financially and share living expenses, rather than splitting everything strictly (like going Dutch).

• Joint Bank Account: This is another gold-standard proof! Ideally, open a joint account and deposit some or all of both incomes into it. Use it frequently for shared expenses like rent, groceries, utilities (water, power, internet). An empty account is useless—transaction history is key!
• Joint Assets or Investments: Examples include a jointly owned vehicle (registration in both names), major appliances purchased together (keep receipts), joint insurance policies, or investments.
• Money Transfer Records Between Each Other: If you don't have a joint account yet, records of transfers between your personal accounts are vital. For instance, transfers marked "Rent" or "Groceries" for shared costs.
• Joint Loans or Credit Cards: Joint credit cards or loans you co-applied for are strong evidence.

Category 3: Evidence of Social Recognition as a Couple

Proof that your relationship is public and acknowledged by your family, friends, and colleagues.

• Photos with Family and Friends: Essential! Include representative photos from events like family gatherings, friends' weddings, holiday parties, and trips together. Briefly label photos with time, place, and people (e.g., "Christmas 2023 with John's parents in Wellington").
• Support Letters from Friends and Family: Ask family members and close friends (especially NZ citizens or PR holders) to write support letters. Letters should mention how they know you, how long they've known you as a couple, their view of your relationship, and include one or two specific examples verifying its genuineness. Letters must be signed with contact information.
• Evidence of Joint Travel: Flight tickets, hotel bookings, attraction tickets, or car rental receipts from trips taken together.
• Social Media Interaction: Screenshots of public posts showing photos together, mutual tags (@), and friends' comments on platforms like Facebook or Instagram. This demonstrates the public nature of your relationship.
• Joint Invitations: Invitations addressed to you both as a couple (e.g., a wedding invitation).

Category 4: Evidence of Your Commitment to Each Other and the Future

This category is more relational, showing you are serious about your partnership and have long-term plans.

• Individual Relationship Statements: You and your partner must each write a separate, detailed letter outlining your relationship history. Include:
  • How/when you met?
  • When you started dating/became a couple?
  • When you decided to live together?
  • How you share household responsibilities? (e.g., who cooks, who cleans)
  • Significant experiences together? (both happy and challenging)
  • Future plans? (e.g., marriage, buying a home, having children, where to settle)
  • Why you want to spend your life with this person? Write sincerely and personally; include specific details. Avoid sounding like a formal report.
• Record of Daily Communication: Screenshots of chats (e.g., WeChat, WhatsApp) discussing daily life, making plans, or offering support. Examples: deciding dinner, planning weekend activities, or comforting each other about work stress. Avoid only providing "I love you" messages.
• Gifts or Cards Exchanged: Keep receipts or cards for meaningful gifts given to each other.
• Children (If Applicable): Your child's birth certificate (listing both parents) is extremely strong evidence.
• Wills or Life Insurance: Naming each other as beneficiaries in your will or on a life insurance policy is significant proof of commitment (though not mandatory, it's a plus).

Summary

Don't cut corners. The more thorough and organized your evidence is, the easier it is for the Visa Officer to believe you. Organize all materials neatly under these four categories with a clear index/table of contents for the Visa Officer's ease.

Think of the whole application as telling a convincing love story, backed by solid "proof". Good luck!