������Ƶ

A Certificate of Cohabitation proves that two people are living together as partners in Hong Kong, though they aren't legally married. It's commonly used when applying for dependent visas, public housing, or family benefits with employers or government departments.

To get one, partners must visit a Hong Kong lawyer who will verify their living arrangement through documents like joint bank statements, rental agreements, or utility bills. While not as legally binding as a marriage certificate, it helps unmarried couples access certain rights and benefits, especially when one partner is a foreign national seeking to stay in Hong Kong.

You need a Certificate of Cohabitation when applying for immigration benefits in Hong Kong, especially if you're supporting a partner's dependent visa application. It's particularly useful when one partner is a foreign national seeking to stay in Hong Kong based on their relationship with a local resident.

The certificate helps unlock practical benefits like joint public housing applications, shared insurance coverage, and certain employment benefits that recognize domestic partnerships. Many multinational companies in Hong Kong now accept these certificates for extending employee benefits to unmarried partners, making them valuable for both local and expatriate couples.

• Basic notarized certificate: Most common type, signed by a Hong Kong lawyer, confirming current cohabitation status through rental agreements and bills
• Extended historical certificate: Details relationship timeline and includes proof of past shared residences over multiple years
• Comprehensive affidavit-style: Includes detailed declarations about relationship status, financial interdependence, and shared responsibilities
• Immigration-focused version: Specifically formatted for visa applications, emphasizing relationship stability and financial support
• Corporate benefits certificate: Tailored for employment benefit purposes, focusing on relationship permanence and shared household expenses

• Cohabiting Partners: The main parties who request and use the certificate to prove their living arrangement and relationship status
• Hong Kong Lawyers: Verify documentation, witness declarations, and issue the certificate after reviewing evidence of cohabitation
• Immigration Officers: Review certificates when processing dependent visa applications for foreign partners
• HR Departments: Use certificates to extend company benefits to unmarried partners of employees
• Housing Authorities: Consider these certificates when evaluating applications for public housing from unmarried couples

• Proof of Address: Gather rental agreements, utility bills, or property ownership documents showing shared residence for at least 6 months
• Financial Documents: Collect joint bank statements, shared insurance policies, or household expense records
• Identity Verification: Prepare both partners' Hong Kong ID cards or valid passports
• Relationship Evidence: Document length of cohabitation through dated photos, joint correspondence, or witness statements
• Legal Consultation: Schedule an appointment with a Hong Kong lawyer who can verify documents and issue the certificate
• Declaration Details: Write clear statements about relationship status, living arrangements, and financial interdependence

• Personal Details: Full legal names, HKID/passport numbers, and current residential address of both partners
• Relationship Declaration: Clear statement of cohabitation status, duration, and nature of relationship
• Supporting Evidence: List of attached documents proving shared residence and financial interdependence
• Witness Statement: Declaration by Hong Kong lawyer verifying document review and identity confirmation
• Duration Clause: Specific dates marking the start of cohabitation and current living arrangement
• Signatures Section: Dated signatures of both partners and the certifying lawyer, with official stamps

A Certificate of Cohabitation differs significantly from a Cohabitation Agreement in both purpose and legal effect. While both documents relate to unmarried couples living together, they serve distinct functions in Hong Kong's legal framework.

• Legal Purpose: A Certificate of Cohabitation simply proves that two people live together, mainly for visa or benefits purposes. A Cohabitation Agreement sets legally binding terms about property rights, finances, and responsibilities
• Timing: Certificates document an existing living situation, while Agreements outline future arrangements and obligations
• Enforcement: Certificates are primarily for administrative use and cannot be legally enforced, whereas Agreements create binding obligations between partners
• Content Scope: Certificates focus on verifying current living arrangements, while Agreements cover detailed terms about asset division, financial responsibilities, and dispute resolution