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Still Alive? Need Proof? – Life Certificates for Pensions

April 3rd, 2019
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How do I get a proof of life certificate for my pension notarized?

Being asked to prove that you are alive might seem like a strange request, but if you receive a pension from outside of Canada, it is likely that you will be asked to do this at some point. Many countries ask pensioners to submit a proof of life form, also called a life certificate, certificate of life, or certificate of existence.

What is a proof of life document?

A proof of life document, or life certificate, is a document used by governments, pension funds, and insurance companies to make sure that individuals are alive and continue to qualify for benefits. Usually, the proof of life document requires a professional like a notary public to confirm that the recipient of the benefit is alive.

When do I submit this document?

Many organizations ask that these documents be submitted every one to two years, while some require them every six months. This often varies by country.

Do I need to get my life certificate notarized?

It is important to read the instructions for the document very carefully, to make sure that your form can be witnessed by a Notary Public who checks your identification. A notary public cannot sign a form that requires a witness or guarantor to state that they know you personally, often for two years or more.

My form can be signed by a notary. What do I need to do?

You need to go in person to meet with the notary and sign the form in the notary’s presence. You also need to bring valid government-issued photo identification, such as a passport. If the document also wants the notary to confirm other information such as proof of your address, you must also bring identification with your address on it, such as a driver’s license.

What does the notary do?

The notary will review your identification, witness your signature if required, and fill out the notary portion of your form. They will also sign, date, and place their notary seal on the form.

What if I am not able to go to an office to meet with a notary public in person?

It is possible to arrange for a mobile notary to come to your location to notarize your document.

How can Red Seal Notary help?

With locations across Canada, Red Seal Notary can take care of your notarization needs. Please contact us to book an appointment or arrange for mobile notary service.  Our knowledgeable customer service staff is available to assist you Mondays through Saturdays via phone, email, or online chat.  Or just drop in at one of our convenient walk in locations.

20 thoughts on “Still Alive? Need Proof? – Life Certificates for Pensions

  1. Pedro Krisch says:

    i need information about how to do Certify of life and notarized.
    i have a foreign pension and i need this document notarized.
    would you help me with this i don’t have any document yet , can you help
    me with this?

    • Blake McClung says:

      Dear Pedro,

      Thank you for your comment and for your interest in our website.

      Pension plans that require proof of life will usually send you their standard form for this on a regular basis – once a year, for example. You can contact your pension plan provider to determine if this is required, and if it requires notarization. Once you have the document, just contact our customer service line at 888-922-7325, or click on the book online button to request a Notary appointment.

      I hope this information is of assistance.

  2. Rachelle shemoon says:

    I live in Israel. The uk pension
    sent me this form . Need to
    prove I am alive in order to
    continue to receive my uk old
    age oensionBecauseof
    corona I am stuck!!! It needs
    to be signed by june . Do
    think it can be extended
    because of the emergency
    situation. Thank you.

    • Blake McClung says:

      Dear Rachelle,

      Thank you for your comment and for your interest in our website.

      Unfortunately we cannot provide you any advice concerning UK pension policies.

      Given the current crisis you may try contacting the nearest UK Consulate or Embassy for assistance, if not the UK pension plan directly. The Consulate may be able to find out what the UK pension policy is with respect to the signing of these forms during the pandemic in their jurisdiction. Keep in mind that during the current crisis many Government organizations around the world are handling overwhelming volumes of inquiries, so it may take some time to receive a response from either the Consulate or the Pension authorities.

      I hope this is of some assistance.

  3. Ramanathan says:

    To draw my pension in India I need a life certificate which can be signed by the concerned bank manager or Indian embassy or Notary. In US a Notary, I understand, cannot issue life certificate. Can I get the life certificate signed by my PCP and get it countersigned by Notary.

    • Blake McClung says:

      Dear Ramanathan,

      Thank you for your comment and for your interest in our website.

      The requirements for Life Certificates vary both by legal jurisdiction and sometimes by the specific pension plan. You should contact the pension organization for their specific requirements when the life certificate is for a pensioner outside of India. If the pension is government run, you can likely get the requirements from your nearest Indian Consulate or Embassy.

      If you are in Canada and the Life Certificate can be notarized, please contact our customer service department who will be happy to assist you.

      I hope this information is of assistance.

  4. Amandeep Kaur says:

    Hello..My father was asked to send his life
    certicate pensioner form so i got the
    certificate notarized but still they are
    denying it and said either you need to fill
    online application where you need to give
    you biometric or you van get your life
    certificate signed by indian consualte
    Ambassador.please help me

    • Blake McClung says:

      Dear Amandeep,

      Thank you for your comment and for your interest in our website.

      As it appears that your Father’s pension will not accept a notary, it appears that you have to pursue one of the two options they presented. i.e. look into submitting his application online, or contacting the Indian Consulate for an appointment to have him sign before a Consular official.

      You may wish to ask the Consulate if they will consider legalizing the certificate you already had notarized. This would likely involve first getting the notarized document authenticated by the Provincial or Federal Government, or even both (the choice is the Consulate’s). The Consulate then verifies the Government authentication and then stamps and signs it themselves. As the Consulate is an Indian Government office, the pension then might accept it. However, before pursuing this option you should contact the pension and see if they would find this acceptable.

      I hope this information is of some assistance.

  5. Timothy says:

    Hi everyone I need a proof of Life
    from I been tryen to get one please if
    you can send me one keep the love
    live [email removed]

    • Blake McClung says:

      Dear Timothy,

      Thank you for your comment and for your interest in our website.

      Pension plans and other organizations that require proof of life will usually send you their standard form. You can contact your pension plan provider to determine if this is required, and how to get the form. Once you have the document, just contact our customer service line at 888-922-7325, or click on the book online button to request a Notary appointment should it require notarization.

      In the rare instance that the organization does not have a form, you can simply write a short letter and sign it in front of the notary. The simple confirmation that you signed before the notary on a specific date is of course proof that you were alive on that date.

      I hope this information is of assistance.

  6. Joseph says:

    Could you please advise as to
    the cost to get a proof of life
    form signed .

    • Blake McClung says:

      Dear Joseph,

      Thank you for your comment and for your interest in our website.

      Assuming (as for most countries’ forms) your form requires one notarization and no additional witnesses, the fee would be $59 plus tax at our appointments only locations, or $49 plus tax at our walk in locations in Toronto, Ottawa and Mississauga.

      I hope this is of some assistance.

  7. Chris says:

    My mother is on her last
    stages of dementia and
    receives pension from the
    Netherlands. My mother is
    in a extended care facility
    in Edmonton and I live in
    Calgary. I have always
    gone to the Police station
    to get the Notary stamp
    and signature for my
    mother. They no longer will
    do this. Hiw much will this
    cost me to get the
    signature and stamp that
    is required?

    • Blake McClung says:

      Dear Chris,

      Thank you for your comment and for your interest in our website.

      Your comment is unclear as to whether your Mother can attend a Notary office, but a Life Certificate is usually quite routine if it only confirms that the pension recipient is alive.

      You should contact our customer service by email ([email protected]) or phone (1-888-922-7325) and explain your situation and they can determine how best to assist you, be it attending a local office or possibly a mobile Notary service if available in your Mother’s area.

      I hope this is of some assistance.

  8. Anna Maria Knight says:

    I need a Life Certificate to receive my
    pension which has been stopped for
    a while in India. Would appreciate if
    you could kindly assist me as to what
    should do. I live in Red Deer so who
    could I approach. Look forward to
    hearing from you at the earliest.

    • Blake McClung says:

      Dear Anna Maria,

      Thank you for your comment and for your interest in our website.

      You should contact the pension provider for their standard Life Certificate form and any instructions. Once you have the form and any pertinent instructions from the pension organization, if it needs notarized, just complete an appointment request on our website or call us toll free to arrange an appointment. Make sure to bring valid photo ID with you to your appointment.

      I hope this information is of assistance.

  9. Olha says:

    When governments ask for Life proof
    certificates exactly except pension
    plans and life Insuarance?
    Thank you for your answer and
    clarification.

    • Blake McClung says:

      Dear Olha,

      Thank you for your comment and for your interest in our website.

      Normally, proof of life forms are only required by pension organizations. You only need to provide one if they ask for it.

      I hope this information is of assistance.

  10. Gillian saxton says:

    My Spanish pension has stopped they won’t a faith of live
    certificate can you please tell me were I get one from kind regards

    • Blake McClung says:

      Dear Gillian,

      Thank you for your comment and for your interest in our website.

      Most pension plans have a standard form for a proof of life certificate. You may be able to download it from their website or contact them by email or phone to have them send you a copy either by email or mail. If they have a standard form they will likely only accept that standard form. When you contact them also make sure to find out if they need anything else in addition to the form, such as a copy of your id, or proof of your current address.

      In the unlikely event they do not have a standard form, you could send them a letter along with proof that you are still alive, and any other documents they might require.

      I hope this is of some assistance.

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