Certificate of life (attestatie de vita) in Japan
If you live in Japan and you need a certificate of life, the Dutch embassy in Tokyo can draw up this document for you. The embassy can also sign and stamp pre-printed certificates of life for Dutch citizens. A different procedure applies to people with a different nationality with a pre-printed certificate of life from, for example, the SVB.
When might you need a certificate of life?
Dutch financial and benefits agencies like the ABP Pension Fund and the Social Insurance Bank may ask you to provide a certificate of life (verklaring van in leven zijn or attestatie de vita).
What documents do you need?
To apply for a certificate of life, you will need to appear in person at the consular section of the embassy. You will need to meet the following conditions:
- you must have a valid Dutch passport or ID card
- you must be able to provide proof of your nationality or nationalities
- you must be able to provide proof of your address and place of residence. For example you could produce a certificate of registration from the municipality where you live
- you must be able to establish your marital status, for example by producing a marriage certificate
You may need to have the original legalised and translated. The rules vary per country.
Getting a certificate of life stamped
Some financial and benefits agencies draw up their own pre-printed certificates of life. The embassy can sign and stamp these documents. The embassy will sign and stamp the certificate free of charge, unless this can be done elsewhere locally for free.
You will need to meet certain conditions:
- you must be a Dutch national
- you must appear in person at the embassy
- you must produce a valid Dutch passport or ID card
- you must provide proof of your address, for example official documents issued by the authorities
- you must sign the documents at the embassy in the presence of an embassy staff member.
Obtaining a certificate from the municipality or a notary
If you are unable to go to the embassy, in some countries you can instead obtain a certificate of life from the municipal authorities or from a notary in the municipality abroad where you live.
Procedure certificate of life in Japan
Read what is applicable in your situation.
If you have Dutch nationality you can have pre-printed certificates of life signed and stamped at the Dutch embassy in Tokyo. If you don't have a pre-printed certificate of life, the embassy can draw up a certificate for you. In both cases you will have to come to the embassy in person with the required documents.
Make an appointment via the online application system.
How much do I need to pay?
Having a pre-printed certificate of life stamped and signed is free of charge.
In case the embassy will need to draw up a certificate the costs are 30 euros. Read on the consular fees in Japan page how you can pay at the embassy.
If you don't have Dutch nationality, the Dutch embassy in Tokyo can't sign and stamp a pre-printed certificate of life of for example the SVB or draw up a certificate for you. Please check with your nearby local pension office (nenkin jimusho) about the possibilities.
In case of pre-printed certificates of life from the SVB the Japanese pension service has an agreement with the Dutch government.
- You can go to your local pension office (nenkin jimusho) with a copy of your a family register (koseki tohon) or residential register (juminhyo).
- The local pension office will send the copy of your family or residential register together with the pre-printed form to the head office of the Japanese pension sercice. They will forward your documents by post to the SVB in the Netherlands.
Contact
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.