Evidence of living together
"Evidence of living together" is the part of a partnership application most people worry about. The goal is simple: show Immigration New Zealand that you genuinely share a home, with documents from independent sources that cover the whole period you've lived together — not just a snapshot from the week you applied.
Reviewed by Michael Yoon, Immigration Lawyer (MyLaw) · Last reviewed 22 June 2026
What counts as evidence of living together
The strongest evidence is documentation that independently puts both of you at the same address over time. Useful documents include:
- A tenancy agreement or mortgage in both names.
- Utility, internet and phone bills addressed to each of you at the same address.
- Bank statements showing the same residential address.
- Government or official mail (IRD, council, insurance) to both of you at that address.
- Joint insurance or vehicle registration.
- Letters or statements from a landlord, flatmates or neighbours.
How much is enough?
There is no magic number of documents. What matters is coverage and independence: evidence that spans the whole period, from a range of separate sources, both names appearing across different document types. A handful of items all dated to the same week is far weaker than a steady trail across months or years.
If your evidence is thin
Couples often have everything in one person's name, or have moved frequently. If that's you, start generating better evidence now: add your partner to bills and accounts, redirect some mail, open a joint account. Where gaps are unavoidable, explain them — and back the explanation with whatever independent evidence you do have, including statutory declarations from people who know your living situation.
Tie it together with a timeline
A clear relationship timeline that lists where you lived and when, cross-referenced to your documents, makes an officer's job easy and your application more persuasive.
Free: Relationship evidence checklist
The exact documents that show your relationship is genuine and stable — emailed to you, with a copy shown on screen.
Common questions
- What if all our bills are in one name?
- It's common, but it weakens the picture. Start adding your partner's name to accounts and bills now, and use independent evidence (statutory declarations, mail, a joint account) to fill the gaps.
- How far back should the evidence go?
- Across the whole period you say you've lived together. For residence that's generally at least 12 months — and consistent coverage across that period is what convinces.
- Do statutory declarations help?
- Yes, as support — declarations from people who know your living situation add credibility, but they work best alongside documentary evidence, not instead of it.
This page is general information, not immigration or legal advice. For advice on your situation, talk to MyLaw. Reading it does not create a solicitor–client relationship.