Post
by Flor_mz » Fri Jun 01, 2007 10:28 am
Yes, Platinum, I had the same information as you... It's very confusing:
1) On the EU1 application partnership seems to be considered, BUT
2) Directive 2004/38/EC states clearly that partnership will be considered as a relationship that allows the exercise of Treaty Rights ONLY in the countries where partnership exists. That is NOT the case of Ireland. Besides, it states that it should be registered: "...the partner with whom the Union citizen has contracted a registered partnership, on the basis of the legislation of a Member State, if the legislation of the host Member State treats registered partnerships as equivalent to marriage..." If the State wants to apply a more benign interpretation, it can, that is the case of UK, where you can submit proof of partnership without a certificate.
3) The text of the Directive transposed to the Irish law states: "Partners of EU citizens - The Regulations allow for the facilitation of the admission
of the partner of an EU citizen where they are in a durable relationship which is duly attested. The permission granted to such partners for the purposes of admission and residence in the State does not involve the recognition of such partnerships for other purposes. It will be noted from the Application Form that documentary evidence is required to establish that the partnership has existed for a reasonable duration. The Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) would expect that clear evidence be provided that the partnership has existed for at least 2 years prior to the application in order to issue the relevant card."
So my guess is: if you cannot get any certificate of your partnership, you must prove it otherwise. As Cartaverde said, joint bank statements, joint lease contracts, bills, etc. Letters from family and pictures can also help (at least, I know that people submit these in the UK), but try to support your case with "formal" documents.
I'm afraid that since Ireland doesn't consider partnership on the same level as marriage, this could be difficult. Try also submitting a document where it shows you have applied with the Registrar to get married. Again, this is my guess, but I think they only included that partnership thing for couples of the same sex. For Ireland, if you are man and woman, you might as well get married instead of being partners. They don't seem very "open minded".
Let us know how this evolves.
One more thing: Did you asked for your documents back or did you just received them? They received my application on the 11th, and haven't got my documents back yet...
Best of luck,
Florencia
