Applicants seeking a UK Spouse Visa must satisfy the Home Office UKVI that their marriage or civil partnership is genuine and continues to exist at the time of application. This requirement is set out in Appendix FM, specifically Section E-ECP.2.6, and forms one of the key eligibility criteria in all spouse visa cases. The rationale behind this rule is to ensure that the immigration system is not undermined by sham relationships arranged for immigration advantage.
As a result, applicants must present sufficient and relevant documentary evidence that demonstrates the legal recognition, sincerity, and ongoing nature of the relationship. Determining exactly what documents to provide can be challenging, especially since the definition of a “genuine and subsisting relationship” is not rigidly prescribed in law. This post outlines the categories of evidence that are most commonly accepted and assessed by UKVI decision-makers.
What Type of Documentation is Expected?
When preparing a UK Spouse Visa application, it is recommended to prioritise documents that originate from official or verifiable sources. The Home Office gives greater evidential weight to records issued by government bodies, regulated institutions, or professional organisations. These include council tax bills, utility statements, NHS correspondence, or bank documents or the equivalent of these documents overseas. While informal records such as photographs, personal letters or messages may provide context, they are typically not sufficient on their own. Applicants are advised to provide consistent, date-specific evidence that reflects both the legal status and the ongoing nature of their relationship.
What documents do I need to prove my Relationship
Marriage or Civil Partnership Certificate
A legally valid marriage certificate or civil partnership certificate must be submitted for a UK Spouse Visa application. This confirms the legal formation of the relationship. A valid marriage or civil partnership certificate is necessary, but not sufficient on its own. It only establishes the legal formation of the relationship, not that the relationship continues to exist or is meaningful. Additional evidence is always required.
Evidence of Cohabitation
Applicants should submit documents showing that they live at the same address. Examples include:
- Joint tenancy agreements or mortgage deeds
- Council tax bills naming both partners
- Utility bills addressed jointly or individually to the same property
- Letters from landlords or letting agents confirming joint residence
- NHS or GP registration letters addressed to both at the same address
Where such documents are unavailable, secondary evidence such as delivery receipts, school correspondence or third-party statements may be submitted.
If the couple has lived separately due to work, study, or visa restrictions, they must show continued commitment. This can be proven by:
- Communication logs
- Financial support evidence
- Details of in-person visits
- Shared parenting responsibilities
The Home Office expects clear explanations and continuity of contact during such periods.
Evidence Relating to Children
If the couple have children together (biological, adopted, or stepchildren), the following documents can be included:
- Birth or adoption certificates naming both partners as parents
- School or nursery letters showing shared parental involvement
- GP letters confirming joint registration or parental responsibility
- Letters from religious or community organisations showing participation
Where a biological connection is not established, evidence of practical caregiving and decision-making responsibility may be presented.
Financial Interdependence
Documents showing shared financial commitments demonstrate integration and long-term planning. Examples include:
- Joint bank account statements
- Joint savings or investment accounts
- Joint insurance policies
- Evidence of shared rent or mortgage payments
- Utility bills in joint names
- Life insurance or pension documents naming the spouse as a beneficiary
In situations where financial documentation is held individually, proof of regular transfers or financial support between the couple may be submitted.
Shared Travel and Time
Evidence of holidays, visits, or living arrangements across different countries can demonstrate the practical realities of the relationship. Documents include:
- Travel itineraries or boarding passes for mutual travel
- Hotel bookings made jointly
- Photographs dated and captioned to show the continuity of the relationship
- Letters from family members who hosted the couple during visits
Future Plans
Evidence that the couple are planning their future together in the UK can be helpful, particularly where the applicant has not yet entered the UK. This may include:
- Tenancy agreements for future accommodation
- Letters confirming job offers or job searches
- School admissions or nursery placements for children
- Financial planning documents (e.g. joint savings plans)
These documents show intent and preparation to live as a couple permanently in the UK.
Additional Evidence Types
Personal Supporting Statements
Each partner should provide a signed and dated letter describing:
- How and when they met
- Milestones in their relationship
- How do they support one another
- Shared living arrangements
- Future intentions
These statements help contextualise the documentary evidence and address any anomalies.
Third-Party Declarations
Statements from family or friends are not mandatory, but can support the application where other documents are limited. Such statements should:
- Be from individuals of good character
- Confirm the authenticity of the relationship
- Include full contact details and ID copies
Spouse Visa Supporting Letter Sample Template
[Sponsor’s Name]
[Sponsor’s Address]
[Phone Number] | [Email Address]
[Date]
To whom it may concern,
I am submitting this letter in support of my spouse’s UK Spouse Visa application. My name is [Sponsor’s Name], and I have been in a genuine and committed relationship with [Applicant’s Name] since [year]. We were legally married on [marriage date], and our relationship has developed and grown over time through continuous contact, shared experiences, and future planning.
We first met in [location] through [brief context, e.g., work, study, mutual friends], and from the outset, our connection was meaningful. Despite periods of distance due to work or immigration restrictions, we remained in regular and sincere contact, through phone calls, messages, and visits. This maintained the closeness of our relationship until we were able to be physically together.
Since our marriage, we have continued to live as a committed couple. We have cohabited at [address], where we have built a home together. Our daily life includes sharing household responsibilities, supporting each other emotionally and financially, and making joint decisions about our future. Our families and friends are well aware of our relationship and have met and supported us throughout.
We are now making preparations to settle permanently in the UK. I am currently employed full-time as a [occupation] with [employer name], earning [salary amount], which satisfies the financial requirement of the application. We plan to reside at [UK address], where suitable accommodation is available for both of us. We also have longer-term plans to invest in a property together and expand our family.
Enclosed with this letter are documents that reflect the substance of our relationship, including photographs, travel history, financial documents, and written communications. These materials show that our relationship is not only lawful but genuinely subsisting.
Thank you for considering our application. I am happy to provide any additional clarification or evidence that may assist in this matter.
Yours sincerely,
[Signature]
[Full Name]
Evidence of Previous Relationships
Where either party has had a previous marriage or long-term relationship, especially one that involved an immigration application, the Home Office will require evidence of its permanent breakdown. This may include:
- Divorce decree absolute or legal separation documents
- Death certificate of the previous spouse
The applicant must also explain the timeline and nature of the past relationship and provide assurances of the current relationship’s legitimacy.
How Whytecroft Ford Can Assist
Preparing a successful UK Spouse Visa application requires more than submitting standard forms. At Whytecroft Ford, we offer:
- Strategic document guidance and collation
- Drafting of personal and sponsor statements
- Evidence review to identify gaps or inconsistencies
- Representation and communication with the Home Office
Our legal professionals understand the documentation standards expected by UKVI and can ensure your application is both compliant and persuasive.
To book a consultation or full representation, contact our friendly professional team on +44 208 757 5751 or use our contact form.
Frequently Asked Questions
Any document not in English or Welsh must be accompanied by a certified translation.
Yes, but additional evidence such as communication, visits, and future plans will be required to demonstrate the relationship’s continuity and sincerity.
They are not mandatory, but can help strengthen an application where other documentary evidence is limited.
