Pension signing

Pension signing is a service for residents who have come from abroad that now live in the UK to access their entitled foreign pension. To access this pension, you must prove you are still living by having a duty solicitor sign, date, and stamp a Proof of Life document (also known as Certificate of Existence).

The cost for the pension signing is £15 and requires a face-to-face appointment. The process is:

1. Pay the pension signing fee

You will need to pay the £15 pension signing fee. This needs to be paid ahead of the appointment.

We do not accept cash payment.

If your certificate also needs your spouse or partner, you will need to pay the fee per person.

2. Book an appointment

Once you have paid, please email legal@southampton.gov.uk to confirm this and book an appointment. We will respond within five working days with your appointment date, location, and who your duty solicitor will be.

If your certificate also needs your spouse or partner, you will need to book an appointment per person.

3. Attend the appointment

Please arrive at your allocated time to the reception desk. You will need to bring two different types of proofs to the appointment. You cannot use the same document for both types of proof (like a driving licence).

• Photographic ID: Passport or driving licence
• Proof of address: Utility bill, bank statement (less than three months old), Council Tax letter, letter from another Government department, driving licence, or mortgage statement
• Proof of Life document - This will need to be an English translated version

The address for the appointment is: Civic Centre, Civic Centre Road, Southampton, SO14 7LY.

What happens next

Once you have attended your appointment, you will receive a signed, dated, and stamped Proof of Life document.

Cancel or reschedule your appointment

If you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, or have any other questions, please email legal@southampton.gov.uk.