Life Certificates
A Life Certificate is an official document confirming that an individual is alive, validated and signed before a recognised witness like a Commissioner for Oaths. Life certificates are commonly required by authorities such as the Department of Social Security or the Ministry of Defence (MOD) for pension, benefits, or entitlement purposes.
How We Can Help With Life Certificates
We are always available for walk-ins but we recommend booking an appointment in advance.
Please ensure that your Life Certificate is submitted regularly and on time to the relevant authority to ensure the continued payment of your pension. Failure to do so may result in your pension payments being halted.
Why Might You Need a Life Certificate?
Common uses of Life Certificates include:
- Confirming you are alive to continue receiving your pension from the Department of Social Security (DSS) or Ministry of Defence (MOD)
- Overseas state pension or private pension requirements
- Life assurance or annuity providers
- Banks, financial institutions, or trustees
- Overseas authorities requiring proof of life
Required Documents
The documents required to witness a Life Certificate include:
- Valid passport or identification card
- Proof of address (where applicable)
- The completed Life Certificate form which is normally sent by mail
Turnaround Time
Life Certificates are witnessed during your appointment, provided all required information and identification are available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. You must attend in person so that our Commissioner for Oaths can verify your identity and witness your signature on the Life Certificate.
In most cases, the organisation requesting the Life Certificate will provide its own form. Simply bring the document to your appointment and we will complete the witnessing section where appropriate.
Please bring a valid passport, Identification Card or other government-issued photographic identification.
Life Certificates are witnessed during a single appointment.
Yes. We regularly witness Life Certificates required by overseas state pension schemes, private pension providers, insurance companies, and other organisations.
This depends on the organisation requesting it. Some pension providers request a Life Certificate annually, while others may require one more frequently.
Many organisations will suspend or delay pension or benefit payments until they receive a completed Life Certificate, so it is important to return the document before the stated deadline.
