Q.820 How to get Life Certificate

| Life Certificate from Abroad

Question: Hello! Could me please guide me towards getting a life certificate notarized for my in-laws for their pension enrollment in India? 1)Where do I get the LIFE CERTIFICATE? 2)Would it be sufficient to just get it notarized form UPS? Your reply would be greatly helpful. Kind regards, Diana [November 9, 2015] Answer: Life certificates for pension purposes in India are generally obtained from any Gazetted officer in India. Most people simply get their bank managers in India to sign the certificate. It is simply a routine matter in India. Last year there was an announcement of a scheme called ‘Jeevan Pramaan’ for Indian pensioners, which would let them to submit life certificate online. However, I am not sure how successful this scheme was. For Indian pensioners who reside abroad, the Indian Consulates issue life certificates. This is fairly a routine procedure since pensioners from India need this document every year. The procedure to get a Life Certificate for Pensioners living abroad, requires that the person seeking the certificate visit the Indian consulate in their area of residence. The consular officer will require the following documents: • Applicants passport • Documents supporting their identity, visa etc. Take originals if possible or notarized copies. One set of copies of documents will be required to be attached with form, so go prepared. • I believe there is no fee currently charged for this service. Generally same day service is provided on a first come first served rule during designated hours. Usually timings are 9am to noon but each Consulate may have their own times. Call them for precise information before going. Apply for life certificate by mail The option to apply by mail is also available but involves more documentation and time. A doctor’s certificate may be required to show why applicant cannot visit in person. Contact the Indian consulate in your jurisdiction to ascertain their rules, procedures and timings. Easiest method is to take your documentation personally and get life certificate the same day, free of charge. While getting attestation from Indian Consulate for all sorts of documents to be acceptable in India is becoming the norm these days. Perhaps your in laws can check with their pension plan administrator’s in India whether only a notarized certificate will suffice.