Guide to IMM 5645 Family Information Form
By WelcomeAide Team
Quick Summary
- IMM 5645 collects information about your immediate family members for immigration background checks
- You must list your spouse/partner, children, parents, and siblings, whether or not they are included in your application
- This form is required for most permanent residence, sponsorship, and some temporary residence applications
- Include all family members, even deceased ones, and those you have lost contact with
- Accuracy and completeness are critical; inconsistencies can delay processing or raise red flags
IMM 5645 is one of the most commonly required supplementary forms in Canadian immigration applications. Whether you are applying for permanent residence, sponsoring a family member, or applying for a study or work permit, you may be asked to submit this form. It provides Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) with detailed information about your family composition for background and security checks.
Why Does IRCC Need Family Information?
IRCC uses the information on IMM 5645 for several purposes:
- Security screening: To verify your identity and check for any security concerns related to family members
- Admissibility checks: To determine if any family members have issues that could affect your application (for example, certain criminal or medical inadmissibility)
- Family reunification: To understand your family structure and identify potential future sponsorship applications
- Consistency verification: IRCC compares your IMM 5645 with your main application form and other documents to ensure consistency
Who to Include on IMM 5645
You must list the following family members, regardless of whether they are accompanying you to Canada or included in your application:
Spouse or Common-Law Partner
Include your current spouse or common-law partner. If you are separated but not legally divorced, you must still list your spouse. If you have had previous marriages or common-law relationships, list those as well with the dates the relationship ended.
Children
List ALL your children, including:
- Biological children
- Adopted children
- Stepchildren (children of your spouse from a previous relationship)
- Children in the custody of an ex-spouse
- Deceased children (mark as deceased)
Parents
List both your biological or adoptive parents, including their full names, dates of birth, current address, and occupation. If a parent is deceased, include the date and place of death.
Siblings
List all your brothers and sisters, including half-siblings, step-siblings, and adopted siblings. For each, provide their full name, date of birth, marital status, current address, and occupation.
Information Required for Each Person
For every family member listed, you need to provide:
- Full legal name (family name and given names)
- Relationship to you
- Date of birth (YYYY-MM-DD)
- Country of birth
- Current country of residence and city
- Current address
- Marital status
- Occupation
- Whether they are accompanying you to Canada
Step-by-Step Completion Guide
Top Section: Your Information
Enter your own full legal name, date of birth, and UCI (Unique Client Identifier) if you have one. This ensures the form is linked to your application.
Table: Family Members
Fill in one row per family member. Use the exact names that appear on their identity documents (passports, birth certificates). Do not use nicknames or shortened names.
If you run out of space, use an additional sheet of paper with the same column headings and write "See attached" on the form. Attach the extra sheet securely.
Declarations
At the bottom of the form, sign and date it. Your signature confirms that all information is truthful and complete.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
1. Omitting Family Members
The most serious mistake is leaving someone off the form. Even if you have not been in contact with a sibling for years, you must list them. Even if a child is from a previous relationship and lives in another country, you must list them. IRCC takes omissions very seriously. If they discover an undisclosed family member later, it could be considered misrepresentation.
2. Inconsistent Names
Make sure names match across all your application forms. If your father's name appears as "Mohammad" on IMM 5645 but "Muhammad" on your main application form (IMM 0008), this inconsistency can flag your application for additional review. Use the spelling from official documents.
3. Wrong Dates
Double-check all dates of birth. A transposed digit can cause significant delays. Use YYYY-MM-DD format throughout.
4. Not Updating After Changes
If your family situation changes while your application is being processed (for example, a new baby, a marriage, or a divorce), you must notify IRCC immediately and submit an updated IMM 5645. Use the IRCC web form to update your application.
Special Situations
Adopted Children
If you adopted a child, list them as your child and note "adopted" in the relationship field. You may need to provide adoption documents.
Deceased Family Members
For deceased family members, fill in as much information as you know. In the address field, write "Deceased" and provide the date and country of death if known.
Unknown Information
If you genuinely do not know a family member's address or date of birth (for example, a parent you never met), write "Unknown" in the relevant field. Do not leave it blank. Provide an explanation in a separate letter if necessary.
Where to Get the Form
Download IMM 5645 from the IRCC forms page. The form is available as a PDF that you can fill in digitally before printing and signing, or you can print it and fill it in by hand with a black pen.
For related immigration forms, see our guides on IMM 5406 Additional Family Information, IMM 5669 Schedule A Background Declaration, IMM 0008 Generic Application Form, and our newcomer resources page.
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