Proof of Life notary

deebee33

My mother needs a proof of life notary signed for her late husband's French pension, banks and GP's are not doing this service anymore, we cannot find anywhere with reasonable charges (London prices!) to do this, can anyone help please?

TBagpuss

What *exactly* does she need? 'Notary' in English law has a very specific meaning but when it comes to getting documents notarized this can simply mean that you need certified copies or a statutory declaration. Does the pension co provide a specific form to complete or sign off? 

If it actually needs to be compelted by a notary then you may have to bite the bullet and pay one.

deebee33

It's a Proof of Life, to confirm she ain't dead yet!
She has to send it every year, used to be something her GP would do, but with covid, hardly anywhere are doing this service now.
Of course, as the form is in French, notaries charge an extra translation fee! 

Newly_retired

If it is the form I receive every year, I get the local mayor or a town / borough councillor or town clerk  to sign it. An official stamp is needed. I have never been charged for this.

Silvertabby

I'd have thought that you would need a French speaker to do this, rather than pay for a translation.  If a stranger asked me to sign an official document in another language, even with a translated copy, I 'd refuse because I would have no way of knowing if the 2 documents matched.

Perhaps a French teacher from a local school/college would be willing to do this for a small fee? (Covid permitting, of course).

Newly_retired

The translation is totally embedded into the text of the form, so no issues there about its veracity.
As a French teacher ( retired ) I would have no authority to sign this for somebody .
French bureaucracy is very fussy, hence the need for an official stamp. They like they mayors, who have much greater status than ours, so his stamp or the borough council, is fine for this purpose.

sheramber

deebee33 said:

My mother needs a proof of life notary signed for her late husband's French pension, banks and GP's are not doing this service anymore, we cannot find anywhere with reasonable charges (London prices!) to do this, can anyone help please?

Can you travel out of London?
https://www.thenotariessociety.org.uk/

deebee33

Just to update, we got it done at the local registry office in the town hall,  free service