Hi PJ,
When Dave and I submitted our application, we included individual Personal Statement's about our de-facto relationship as well as a whole load of official paperwork in joint names etc. We thought this would be sufficient but we have now been asked by our Case Officer to submit further evidence that we are in a "genuine and ongoing relationship".
Dave and I have been together for seven years so it's rather galling to have to provide so much evidence to 'prove' your relationship! However, we buttume part of the reason they ask for additional info is to check that we haven't split up since we lodged the application but also it's probably because we did not submit Stat Decs the first time. It seems that financial evidence like joint bank accounts, mortgage etc are not sufficient to send on their own - they also want more 'personal' stuff, so we're now sending in additional information like cards we received from friends upon our engagement, plus a copy of our joint gym membership etc, as well as Stat Decs from each of us.
In our stat decs we're putting down how long we have been in a genuine and committed relationship for, how long we have lived together and where, how our relationship has developed over the past seven years, our domestic and financial arrangements, details of shared interests and activities, recent holidays etc.
Hope this helps,
Nicky
--
