Yes. Here is exactly how it works for expats in Chiang Mai receiving a pension from abroad
Aphiwat Bualoi, Attorney at Law | aphiwatlaw.com
The letter that arrives every year
If you receive a state pension, private pension, or other benefit payment from the UK, USA, Australia, Germany, or many other countries, you have probably received a letter asking you to confirm you are still alive.
This happens once a year for most pension systems. Sometimes it comes with a form attached. Sometimes it just says: please provide a life certificate signed by a qualified official. Either way, you need to get it signed and send it back before a deadline, or your payments may be suspended.
If you are living in Chiang Mai, the first question is usually: who can sign this here?
Can a Thai Notarial Services Attorney sign it?
Yes. A Notarial Services Attorney in Thailand is qualified to certify that a named person appeared in front of them on a specific date and is alive and well. This is exactly what a pension life certificate requires.
The certificate we produce is signed and stamped by a licensed Notarial Services Attorney, which is the Thai equivalent of a Notary Public. In our experience, this is accepted by pension providers in the UK, USA, Australia, Germany, and other countries. If you are not certain whether your provider accepts a Thai notary, the safest thing is to forward us the letter or form and we can tell you quickly.
What different countries require
United Kingdom
The UK Department for Work and Pensions sends out a form called a Life Certificate. It asks for a signature from a professional person such as a notary, lawyer, doctor, or police officer who has known you for at least two years, or who can verify your identity from official documents. A Thai Notarial Services Attorney who verifies your identity from your passport satisfies this requirement for most cases.
United States
The US Social Security Administration requires periodic proof of life for overseas recipients. The requirements vary but typically a certificate from a notary or equivalent official stating that the named person appeared in person is accepted. We produce a formal certificate on our letterhead with our notarial stamp.
Australia
Services Australia sends life certificates to overseas pension recipients. They typically require the form to be signed by a Justice of the Peace, notary public, or equivalent. A Thai Notarial Services Attorney is generally accepted as equivalent.
Germany and Europe
German pension providers typically require a Lebensbescheinigung, which is a life certificate. Most European pension systems have similar requirements. These can usually be fulfilled by a notary or legal professional in the country of residence. We have helped clients with German, French, Dutch, and Swiss pension requirements.
How the process works at our office
You contact us and let us know which country the pension is from and what form or letter you received. We tell you what to bring.
You come to the office with your passport and the pension form or letter. We verify your identity, complete the required documentation in the format your provider needs, and sign and stamp it with our notarial seal.
For most standard life certificates this takes one visit and less than 30 minutes. You leave with the completed document and send it to your pension provider by whatever method they require.
What if my provider has a specific form?
Bring the form or email it to us in advance. Some pension providers have very specific wording they want on the certificate. We read the form carefully and make sure we complete it in exactly the format they need. A certificate that is rejected because of the wrong wording wastes time for everyone, so we take this step seriously.
A note on timing
Most pension life certificate requests have a deadline. If you receive the letter, do not leave it too long. Pension payments can be suspended if the certificate does not arrive in time and getting them restarted can take several weeks. We can usually see you within a day or two of your request.
Chiang Mai has a large community of retired expats from many countries. Pension life certificates are something we handle regularly. If you received a letter and are not sure what to do, just call us.
If you need notarial services in Chiang Mai and want someone who speaks English and handles everything properly, contact Aphiwat Bualoi Law Office. First consultation is free.
Tel: 064-932-1365 | info@aphiwatlaw.com | aphiwatlaw.com
Aphiwat Bualoi Law Office 
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