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

Your (future) place of residence falls under the Municipality of Woerden.

Municipality of Woerden

Request proof of 'being alive'

If you have to prove to a Dutch authority that you are alive, you will need proof of 'being alive'. If it concerns a foreign body, you need a attestatie de vita. You request your proof online with DigiD. Or you can make an appointment with the municipality.

You are registered in the municipality of Woerden.

-Your DigiD (online) or proof of identity (for the appointment).
-A letter from a foreign agency (if you have one).

Online

You can request your proof online. You need DigiD for this.

At the counter

You can also collect your proof at the counter of town hall. You must make an appointment for this.

Please note: if you need the proof for your pension fund, you can only get the proof via an appointment and not online.

-Free (if you need the proof for your pension fund)
-€13 (if you do not need the proof for your pension fund)

-If you request your proof online, you will receive your proof by post within 3 working days.
-When you make an appointment, you will immediately receive your proof.

More information