Applying for an Attestatie de vita (certificate of life) in the Netherlands
Does an organisation outside the Netherlands (e.g. a pension fund) need proof that you are alive? Then you need an Attestatie de vita (certificate of life). You can apply for this at your municipality.
There are 2 types of proof of life documents that are available in the Netherlands:
- The Attestatie de vita is an international document in Dutch and French. This document comes from the Register of Births, Deaths, Marriages and Civil Partnerships (registers van de burgerlijke stand). You can use the certificate outside the Netherlands. You can also get an annex to the certificate explaining the document in German, Spanish, Greek, Italian, Portuguese and Turkish.
- The Bewijs van in leven zijn (certificate of existence) is an excerpt taken from the Personal Records Database (Basisregistratie Personen – BRP). This states that you are registered as alive in the BRP. This extract is in Dutch and can be used in the Netherlands.
This is how it works in your (future) place of residence
Municipality of Arnhem: Applying for an Attestatie de vita (certificate of life)
A life certificate or a declaration of existence proves that you are alive at the time the certificate is issued. You will only receive this extract from the municipality where you are registered.
To apply for a life certificate or a declaration of existence, you can go to the Civil Affairs counter. Please make an appointment.
Bring the following to the appointment:
- Valid proof of ID.
- If you have a letter from your pension fund stating that you must be able to submit the life certificate, you must take this letter with you.
To apply for a life certificate or a declaration of existence, please go to the Civil Affairs counter. For this, you have to make an online appointment.
A life certificate costs € 11.80, unless you present a letter from your pension fund. If this shows that you must be able to provide the life certificate, there is no charge.
A declaration of existence costs € 14.30, unless you present a letter from your pension fund. If this shows that you must be able to submit the declaration of existence, there is no charge.
You will receive the certificate immediately.
Visiting address
Koningsstraat 38
6811DG Arnhem
| Monday | 12:00 - 20:00 |
| Tuesday | 09:00 - 17:00 |
| Wednesday | 09:00 - 17:00 |
| Thursday | 09:00 - 17:00 |
| Friday | 09:00 - 17:00 |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |