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What is the Certificate of Life for British pensioners living in Thailand?

Certificate of Life British Pensioners Visa and Immigration Living in Thailand DWP Processes Document Authentication

Apr 8, 2025

5 days ago

Brian ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

This is in the something else category.

 I've seen some posts from British pensioners regarding the Certificate of Life sent out by DWP and getting it witnessed. 

I recently got mine and took it to the piya baan in our village, she filled it in as witness that I am still alive and kicking, then stamped it for me. Everything she filled in, including her stamp was in Thai, but DWP have just messaged me by SMS that it has been processed and I don't need to take any further action. 

I hope this helps others in the same situation.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A British pensioner in Thailand shared their experience of obtaining a Certificate of Life required by the DWP (Department for Work and Pensions). After receiving the certificate, they visited the local 'piya baan' (village head) to have it witnessed. The village head confirmed their identity and stamped the document in Thai. Following this, the DWP processed their application without needing further action from them. Other comments discussed experiences with the certificate, suggesting variations in processing and methods of communication with the DWP.

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Allan **************

New Zealand is the same I just walked down to the local temple and got the head monk to sing and stamp it and then post it to NZ it's worked every time so far. But same as you has to be posted to them.

4 days ago

Mike ******

Agree with Robert Dodd; Thai Post is crap; anything in English is just tossed. Mark Russell - a Cert of Life is a requirement of the British State Pension people to prove you're not drawing a pension after you're dead.

4 days ago

Michael *******

@Mike *****

overseas mail works fine, especially EMS, can be an issue locally so always best to get address written in Thai local posties don’t speak English.

4 days ago

Reply to

Michael *******

Jamie ******

How often does a certificate of life get sent out and from what age do they start sending it

5 days ago

Brian ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Jamie *****

That's my third, so roughly every 3 years

5 days ago

Reply to

Brian ********

Robert ******

My pension was suspended because I never returned the form because I never received it. I just phoned them up and they said no problem we can do it over the phone. 😀 Pension paid again within 3 days.

5 days ago

Jamie ******

Did you send the form back by post or online

5 days ago

Brian ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Jamie *****

It has to be posted, they included an addressed envelope, but you have to pay the postage.

I sent mine registered so that I could track it and had proof of delivery if anything went wrong at their end

5 days ago

Jamie ******

@Brian *******

thanks

5 days ago

Reply to

Jamie ******

Mark *********

Wtf is the certificate of life?! 🤔

5 days ago

Michael *******

Dept of Work and Pensions in the UK care, and if you fail to comply your pension payments will stop - state executor is supposed to advise DWP of a deceased estate sometimes this doesn’t happen….

4 days ago

Mark *********

@Michael ******

First I've heard of it. How often do you have to do that?

4 days ago

Michael *******

As often as they ask, keep you address updated with DWP otherwise your pension could suddenly stop if you ignore a request for cert of life…..

4 days ago

Brian ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Michael ******

A guy I know had his pension stopped twice because he changed address and didn't notify DWP. It was a pita to sort out, his son had to call UK for him in the end

4 days ago

Brian ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Mark ********

I've done 3 of them now, roughly every 3 years. If you don't return it your pension is stopped

You can find the form on the GOV.UK website.

4 days ago

Reply to

Brian ********

Johnny *********

@Mark ********

Who cares?

5 days ago

John **********

@Mark ********

to say you are still alive

5 days ago

Reply to

John **********

Michael ********

Is the UK still using pen and paper 😂 other countries you can do it online.

5 days ago

Lynnette *******

@Michael *******

I had to fly to USA to sign a document that was not able to be just signed, witnessed and notarised overseas.

5 days ago

Lynnette *******

@Michael *******

wet signature and genuine stamp is often required on official forms.

Same in USA.

5 days ago

Michael ********

@Lynnette ******

for my German pension i have a App I upload my passport then follow instructions with a short video of me moving my head left to right and up and down.

5 days ago

Reply to

Michael ********

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What should British expats know about State Pension Life Certificates and DWP communications?

16 comments