Statutory Declarations/Letters of Support from Friends in Support of Relationship for Immigration
When applying for immigration to Canada, applicants may sometimes need to provide evidence that a relationship is genuine and continuing. This is particularly common in spousal and common-law partner sponsorship applications, where Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) may consider evidence from people who know the couple personally.
One type of supporting evidence that may be provided is a statutory declaration from a friend or family member. A well-prepared statutory declaration can help explain how the declarant knows the couple, what they have personally observed about the relationship, and why they believe the relationship is genuine.
What Is a Statutory Declaration?
A statutory declaration is a formal written statement in which a person declares that the information contained in the document is true. Unlike an ordinary letter of support, a statutory declaration is generally signed and declared in the presence of an authorized person, such as a notary public or commissioner for taking affidavits, depending on the circumstances. For an immigration application, the declarant may be a friend, colleague, family member, or another person who has personal knowledge of the couple and their relationship.
Why Would a Friend Provide a Statutory Declaration?
Friends can sometimes provide useful evidence because they may have personally witnessed the development of a relationship.
For example, a friend may have:
Met the couple shortly after they began dating;
Spent time with the couple socially;
Attended their wedding or engagement celebration;
Celebrated birthdays, holidays, or other important occasions with them;
Visited their home;
Taken trips or attended events with them;
Observed how they interact with each other;
Known them throughout their relationship; or
Remained in regular contact with them while living in another country.
The declaration should focus on what the friend personally knows and has observed, rather than simply repeating what the couple has told them.
What Should Be Included in a Friend's Statutory Declaration?
There is no single format that will be appropriate for every immigration application. However, a declaration from a friend will generally be more useful when it clearly identifies the declarant and explains the basis of their knowledge.
A typical declaration may include:
1. The Declarant's Information
The declaration can begin by identifying the person making the statement, including relevant information such as:
Full legal name;
Address;
Occupation; and
Relationship to the applicant and/or sponsor.
The declarant should explain how they know the couple and approximately how long they have known them.
2. How the Declarant Met the Couple
The declaration should provide some background.
For example, the friend may explain when and where they first met the applicant and sponsor and how their friendship developed.
This helps establish that the declarant has a genuine basis for providing their observations.
3. Personal Observations of the Relationship
This is often the most important part of the declaration.
Rather than simply stating:
"I believe their relationship is genuine."
the declarant can describe specific experiences that led them to that conclusion.
For example, they may describe dinners together, vacations, family gatherings, holidays, visits to their home, or other occasions where they personally spent time with the couple.
Specific examples are generally more helpful than broad or generic statements.
4. Important Events
If applicable, the declarant can discuss important events they personally witnessed, such as:
The couple's engagement;
Wedding ceremony;
Wedding reception;
Birthdays;
Family gatherings;
Holidays;
Moving in together;
Trips;
Visits between countries; or
Other significant milestones.
The declarant should only include events and information they can honestly speak about from their own knowledge.
5. Continuing Relationship
If the friend has continued to interact with the couple, they can explain how they have remained in contact and what they have observed over time.
This can be particularly useful when the declaration is intended to describe an ongoing relationship rather than simply an event that occurred in the past.
A Statutory Declaration Should Be Truthful and Based on Personal Knowledge
A friend should never feel that they need to exaggerate or provide information simply to make an immigration application stronger. The best declaration is generally one that is truthful, specific, and based on the declarant's actual experiences. For example, if a friend attended the couple's wedding but did not know them when they first started dating, they should not state that they witnessed the beginning of their relationship. Similarly, a friend should not make statements about the couple's finances, living arrangements, or private circumstances unless they have personal knowledge of those matters.
Does the Declaration Need to Be Commissioned/Notarized?
If the document is being prepared as a statutory declaration, it must generally be properly declared before a person authorized to administer statutory declarations. The notary does not generally verify whether every factual statement in the declaration is true. The person making the declaration remains responsible for the truthfulness of their statements.
How Many Friends Should Provide Declarations?
There is no universal number that will make an immigration application successful. Quality is generally more important than simply providing a large number of nearly identical statements. For example, several friends providing detailed, independent accounts of their personal experiences with the couple may be more useful than numerous declarations containing the same generic wording. Applicants should consider the requirements of their particular application and provide evidence that genuinely supports the facts they are trying to establish.
What Makes a Strong Declaration?
A useful declaration will generally be:
Specific – It includes concrete examples rather than vague statements.
Personal – It explains what the declarant personally saw, experienced, or knows.
Consistent – The information should not contradict the applicant's other evidence.
Detailed – It provides enough background for the reader to understand the declarant's relationship with the couple.
Truthful – Every statement should accurately reflect the declarant's own knowledge.
A declaration does not need to be overly complicated or filled with legal terminology. In many cases, a clear and natural account of the relationship is more effective than a document filled with generic legal language.
Need a Statutory Declaration Commissioned in Markham?
If you need a statutory declaration from a friend or family member for an immigration application, Affordable Markham Notary Public can assist with commissioning your completed document.
We provide notary and commissioning services in Markham for statutory declarations and other documents commonly used for Canadian immigration applications. If you already have your declaration prepared, bring the completed document and valid government-issued photo identification to your appointment. If you need assistance determining what type of immigration evidence you should provide, you should consult an immigration lawyer or licensed immigration professional for advice specific to your application.
This article is provided for general information only and is not legal advice. Immigration requirements can vary depending on the type of application and individual circumstances. Applicants should refer to the current IRCC requirements and obtain professional immigration advice where appropriate.
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