If you are a pensioner living in South Africa and you receive a pension from an overseas fund — or even from a South African fund while living abroad — you have probably been asked to provide a “life certificate.” This document goes by many names depending on where your pension fund is based: attestatie de vita (Dutch), Lebensbescheinigung (German), certificat de vie or attestation d’existence (French), or simply “proof of life.”
Whatever it is called, the purpose is the same: the pension fund needs confirmation that you are alive and that the pension payments should continue. This guide explains what a life certificate is, which pension funds require them, how the process works, and what to bring when you visit a notary.
Why Do Pension Funds Require Life Certificates?
Pension funds pay benefits for the lifetime of the pensioner. When the pensioner lives in another country, the fund has no easy way to verify that the pensioner is still alive. A life certificate solves this problem by requiring the pensioner to appear in person before an authorised official — typically a notary public — on a regular basis.
If you fail to submit your life certificate on time, the pension fund may suspend your payments until the certificate is received. This is standard practice, and it can take weeks to reinstate payments once they have been suspended.
Which Pension Funds Require Life Certificates?
Dutch Pension Funds
ABP (Algemeen Burgerlijk Pensioenfonds), PFZW (Pensioenfonds Zorg en Welzijn), and various other Dutch industry pension funds typically send an attestatie de vita form annually. Your notary does not need to speak Dutch — the form fields are standardised.
German Pension Funds
Deutsche Rentenversicherung (DRV) sends a Lebensbescheinigung form, usually annually. In South Africa, a notary public is the appropriate official to certify this form.
Swiss Pension Funds
Several Swiss pension funds and the Swiss federal old-age insurance scheme (AHV/AVS) require periodic life certificates from pensioners living abroad.
UK Pension Schemes
The UK State Pension (administered by the Department for Work and Pensions) and various UK occupational pension schemes send life certificate forms periodically to pensioners living abroad.
South African Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF)
The GEPF, administered by the GPAA, requires life certificates from pensioners who live abroad. If you are a former South African government employee now living overseas, you will need to have a life certificate completed periodically.
How Often Is a Life Certificate Required?
| Pension Fund / Country | Typical Frequency |
|---|---|
| Dutch funds (ABP, PFZW, etc.) | Annually |
| German DRV | Annually |
| Swiss pension funds | Annually or biannually |
| UK State Pension / DWP | Annually or as requested |
| GEPF (South African, living abroad) | Annually or as requested by GPAA |
Some funds send the form automatically. Others require you to download or request it. If you have not received your form by the expected date, contact your pension fund — do not wait for them to suspend your payments.
The Process: What Happens When You Visit a Notary?
The life certificate process is simple and typically takes no more than 15 to 20 minutes.
Step 1: Bring the Required Documents
- Your original identity document — valid South African ID book, smart ID card, or passport
- The pension fund’s life certificate form (if one was provided)
- Your pension fund reference number or membership number
Step 2: Appear in Person Before the Notary
This is a strict requirement. Life certificates cannot be done remotely, by proxy, or on the basis of a video call. You must appear in person before the notary public.
Step 3: The Notary Completes and Certifies the Form
The notary will verify your identity, complete the relevant fields on the form (or prepare a notarial certificate if no form was provided), record the date and place, and sign and stamp the certificate with the notarial seal.
Step 4: Send the Certificate to Your Pension Fund
Once the notary has completed the form, you are responsible for sending it to your pension fund. Most funds accept the certificate by post. Some now accept scanned copies by email as a preliminary submission.
Forms in Foreign Languages
Many pensioners are concerned about bringing a form in Dutch, German, or French to a South African notary. This is not a problem. Notaries who regularly handle life certificates are familiar with the standard form layouts used by major European pension funds.
At our office, we handle attestatie de vita (Dutch), Lebensbescheinigung (German), certificat de vie (French), and English-language life certificate forms on a regular basis.
Does a Life Certificate Need an Apostille?
In most cases, no. The majority of pension funds accept a life certificate signed and stamped by a notary public without further authentication. However, some funds may request an apostille from the High Court. If your fund specifically requests this, we can arrange it. See our apostille certificates page.
Walk-In Service Available
We understand that many pensioners prefer not to make appointments weeks in advance for a brief and routine matter. Our Pretoria office offers a walk-in service for life certificates during office hours. Simply bring your ID and your pension fund’s form, and we will attend to you without a prior appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my pension fund did not send me a form?
Contact your pension fund to ask whether they have a specific form or whether a general notarial life certificate will be accepted. If no specific form is needed, a notary public can prepare a standard life certificate or sworn declaration. See our affidavits and declarations page for more on this type of document.
Can someone else attend on my behalf if I am too ill to visit the notary?
Unfortunately, no — the fundamental purpose is to confirm that you are alive and present. However, if you are housebound due to illness or disability, some notaries may be willing to visit you at home or at a care facility. Contact our office to discuss your situation.
How much does a life certificate cost?
The fee is modest. The exact cost depends on whether your pension fund provided a form or whether the notary needs to prepare the certificate from scratch. Contact our office or send a WhatsApp message to +27 73 686 9078 for a current quote.
Do I need to bring a witness?
No. A life certificate does not require a witness. You simply need to appear before the notary with your identity document and the pension fund’s form. The notary’s signature and seal are sufficient.
Can I get a life certificate at the South African embassy if I live abroad?
Yes. South African embassies and consulates can certify life certificates for pensioners living overseas. If you are in South Africa — whether permanently or on a visit — our office can complete your life certificate while you are here. See our notary public services page.
Get Your Life Certificate Completed
If you need a life certificate for your pension fund — whether it is a Dutch attestatie de vita, German Lebensbescheinigung, French certificat de vie, UK proof of life form, or any other fund’s documentation — our Pretoria office can assist. Louwrens Koen Attorneys has been providing notary public services since 1995, and life certificates are one of our most frequently handled documents.
Walk in during office hours or contact us to confirm availability. You can also reach us directly on WhatsApp at +27 73 686 9078. Bring your ID and your pension fund’s form, and we will have you in and out in minutes.