Partner Documents for Subclass 884: De Facto Evidence in 2026

What partner documents Subclass 884 requires: identity, character, and proof of marriage or a 12-month de facto relationship.

Published: 10 October 2026

For a partner included in a Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) visa (Subclass 884) application, the Department of Home Affairs asks for four things: identity documents, character documents, evidence of the relationship, and documents about other relationships where relevant. Marriage is evidenced by a current marriage certificate; a de facto relationship is evidenced by documents showing the relationship has existed for at least 12 months before the application is made. This reflects the partner document requirements set out on the Department's official Subclass 884 page, as at October 2026, and is general information only — it is not advice on an individual case, and the requirements published by the Department apply over anything summarised here.

What partner documents does Subclass 884 require?

The Department lists partner documents under the document-gathering step, alongside the documents for the main applicant, any dependants and the sponsor. For a partner applying with you, provide:

identity documents
character documents
evidence of your relationship with them, such as your current marriage certificate or documents proving a de facto relationship of at least 12 months before you apply
documents about other relationships, if applicable

The same step also warns that incomplete applications may be treated as invalid and not processed, so the partner's documents need to travel with the application rather than follow later.

How do you prove a de facto relationship?

You rely on documents, not on a single certificate. The Department's page gives the de facto test as 12 months before you apply, and names four categories of supporting documents:

joint bank account statements
billing accounts in joint names
joint leases or mortgages
documents that show you have lived at the same address as your partner

The first two are financial; the second two are residential. In practice a file is strongest when it covers both, because each category shows a different aspect of a shared life.

Basis of the relationship	Relationship evidence named by the Department	What it needs to show
Marriage	Current marriage certificate	The marriage exists now
De facto	Joint bank account statements, billing accounts in joint names, joint leases or mortgages, documents showing the same address	The relationship existed for at least 12 months before you apply

Which documents count as joint financial evidence?

Joint bank account statements show money moving through an account both partners hold. Billing accounts in joint names show both names on household outgoings. Joint leases or mortgages show a shared legal commitment to housing.

A document showing one partner's name only does not fall into any of these categories. Where a couple holds accounts separately, the remaining category — documents showing the same address — carries more weight, and the 12-month period still has to be covered.

Does a married partner need 12 months of evidence?

The Department sets the two pathways out as alternatives: a current marriage certificate, or documents proving a de facto relationship of at least 12 months before you apply. The 12-month requirement is attached to the de facto pathway, so a couple relying on a current marriage certificate supplies the certificate as its relationship evidence.

Either way, the requirement is about evidence of the relationship at the time of application, not about how long a marriage has lasted.

What else does a partner have to supply?

Beyond the relationship evidence, a partner is subject to the same identity and character requirements as any other applicant:

Identity documents, including the passport pages showing photo, personal details and issue and expiry dates, plus a national identity card if they have one and proof of any change of name.
Character documents, which the Department may request; police certificates should not be arranged until the Department asks for them.
Documents about other relationships, where applicable.
Four recent passport-size photographs, less than six months old, in good quality colour, showing the full face against a plain light-coloured background.

How does the paper application affect what you send?

Subclass 884 is lodged on paper. The main applicant completes Form 47PA, the sponsor completes Form 40, and each family member aged 18 or over completes Form 47A — including those who are not migrating. All forms must be completed in English.

Certified copies are required rather than originals, except for police certificates. Originals sent in error are not returned as part of the application packet, so keep your own copy of the completed application and supporting documents.

Two lodgement conditions also apply: you must be in Australia but not in immigration clearance when you submit, and you cannot apply for this visa if you have already applied for or hold a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) (subclass 870) visa.

What if the relationship changes after you apply?

The Department requires notification of changes to relationship status, along with changes to phone number, email, address, passport and family composition. If a mistake has been made on the application, Form 1023 is the mechanism for notifying incorrect answers.

A partner can also be added before a decision is made, using Form 1436, together with evidence of the relationship and a copy of the family member's passport. Anyone added after lodgement must be in Australia at the time they are added.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a de facto partner need 12 months of cohabitation evidence before applying?

The Department's requirement is documents proving a de facto relationship for at least 12 months before you apply, not strictly cohabitation for every one of those months. Documents showing the same address are one of the four listed categories, alongside joint bank accounts, joint billing accounts and joint leases or mortgages.

Can joint bank statements alone prove a de facto relationship?

The Department lists joint bank account statements as one acceptable category rather than a complete answer on their own. Because the categories cover both finances and housing, statements covering the 12-month period are usually paired with billing accounts in joint names, a joint lease or mortgage, or documents showing a shared address.

Does my partner need a police certificate?

Character documents may be requested for a partner, but the Department asks applicants not to arrange a police check until it requests one. Identity documents, by contrast, are part of the standard document set for the application.

Can I add a partner after the application is lodged?

Family members may be added before a decision is made using Form 1436, supported by evidence of the relationship and a copy of the family member's passport. The person being added must be in Australia when they are added.

Do we send original relationship documents?

No. Only certified copies should be sent with the application, the exception being police certificates. You should keep a copy of the completed application and supporting documents for your own records.

Do I need to tell the Department if I separate while the application is pending?

Yes. Changes to relationship status are among the changes the Department requires you to report, along with address, passport and family composition changes. If the separation means an answer already given is no longer correct, Form 1023 notifies incorrect answers.