Certificate of life (attestatie de vita) South Sudan

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 or consulate. 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 or consulate can sign and stamp these documents. The embassy or consulate 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 or consulate
• 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 or consulate in the presence of an embassy or consulate staff member.

Obtaining a certificate from the municipality or a notary

If you are unable to go to the embassy or consulate, 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.

How do I apply for a consular declaration?

You can apply by e-mail:

1. Send your e-mail to: jba-ca@minbuza.nl.
2. Include the name of declaration and your surname in the subject of your email.
3. Please indicate in the email what you need the declaration for. So the embassy will state the purpose of your declaration in the declaration.
4. Do not forget to mention your (mobile) telephone number in the email.
5. Make a PDF of all the required documents and send it as an attachment (a photo of your documents is not allowed).
   Is the PDF file too large to send in one go? Then split the documents and send them in 2 (or more) emails.

Is your file not complete? Or is something unclear or do you have questions? Then you may have to send additional documents.

How much should I pay?

Is your application complete? Then you will receive an e-mail with the following information:

• The total amount you have to pay: a statement costs €30.
• The reference number to use with your transfer. Please note: if you do not use the reference number, this will lead to a delay in issuing the statement.
• Payment instructions: transfer in euros to the bank account of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs in The Hague.

As soon as your payment has been received, the embassy will draw up the declaration.

You will receive your declaration digitally by e-mail.

How long does it take?

After receiving your proof of payment, it takes about 10 working days to process your request.

Do you have to send additional documents because your application is not complete? Then it takes longer.

Any questions?

In case you have a question, you can send an email via the contact form.