Need a US-issued Proof of Life or Life Certificate?
If your pension provider, bank, insurance company, or other institution in China explicitly requires you to provide a Proof of Life statement signed in the U.S. and certified by a Notary Public and Apostille, Landz Notary provides one-stop service including document preparation, mobile notary services, and California Apostille processing.
Standard pension eligibility verification can usually be done online for free
For retirees residing abroad who are already receiving a pension from China, you can usually complete your identity and eligibility verification directly using the "China Consular" (中国领事) app's "Pension Eligibility" function.
This online verification does not require creating a U.S. Proof of Life statement, nor does it require an additional Apostille.
If you cannot pass the facial recognition in the app, you can also complete the paper-based pension qualification audit according to the procedures announced by the relevant Chinese embassy or consulate.
This page offers a different service: use it only when you explicitly need a U.S. notarized Proof of Life, Life Certificate, or Apostille document.
Determine your situation first
Most retirees receiving a Chinese pension do not need to purchase Apostille services. Clarifying your requirements first can save you money and unnecessary processes.
Use the "China Consular" App
If you are already receiving your pension normally in China, you can typically complete your facial recognition and pension eligibility verification directly through the "China Consular" app.
This method is audited directly by domestic human resources and social security departments and generally does not require U.S. notarization or an Apostille.
U.S. Proof of Life + Apostille
If your pension provider, bank, insurance company, or other institution explicitly requires a Proof of Life statement signed in the U.S., you may proceed with the service on this page.
You sign the statement, a notary completes the notarization on-site, and then we process the California Apostille.
In what cases is this service suitable?
This service is not the default step for routine pension annual audits; it is more suitable for cases requiring specific U.S. paper documents.
Explicit requirement for Proof of Life
The requesting party requires you to sign a statement, Life Certificate, or Proof of Life personally in the U.S.
Explicit requirement for U.S. notarization
The receiving institution requires the document to be notarized by a U.S. Notary Public and does not accept online pension qualification verification alone.
Explicit requirement for an Apostille
The party requires the U.S. notarized document to be further processed with an Apostille for use in China or other Hague Convention countries.
What does a Proof of Life Apostille actually certify?
A Proof of Life is a declaration signed by yourself. A notary verifies your identity and performs the corresponding notarization on-site, after which the California Secretary of State issues the Apostille.
The Apostille authenticates the signature, identity, and seal of the notary and relevant public officials; it does not determine whether the applicant qualifies for a Chinese pension.
The process is simple
If you have confirmed that you need a U.S. Proof of Life + Apostille, you can follow the steps below.
Order Online
Complete your order directly on this page. After placing the order, we will contact you to confirm your name and the Proof of Life document required.
Confirm Statement Content
We will prepare or verify the Proof of Life statement content based on your specific situation.
Mobile Notary Service
No travel required. The notary will travel to your specified address at the scheduled time to verify your identity on-site and complete the signing and notarization.
Process Apostille
Once notarized, we will proceed with obtaining the California Apostille. You do not need to visit the Secretary of State's office yourself.
Document Delivery
Once the Apostille is complete, we will ship or deliver the original certified documents to you as agreed in the order.
What do you need to prepare?
The Proof of Life must be signed by the individual; the signatory must be present during notarization.
Required for the notary to verify your identity. Please prepare a valid original ID that meets California notary requirements.
If the statement requires details such as pension distribution location, former employer, or other basic info, please have it ready.
How do I use the China Consular app for pension eligibility verification?
Retirees living abroad who have completed retirement procedures in China and have a pension payment account can select the Pension Eligibility service in the China Consular app.
After entering your pension payment location and personal information, follow the prompts for facial recognition and identity verification. Your application information is then sent to the relevant human resources and social security department in China for review.
If online verification is successful, a separate paper Proof of Life certificate is generally unnecessary.
Proof of Life is not approval of pension eligibility
A Proof of Life or life declaration only states that the person concerned is alive.
Whether a person qualifies for a pension and whether payments should continue are determined by the relevant pension authority in China according to its records and rules.
Similarly, an Apostille only authenticates the signature, capacity, and seal of the notary or other relevant public official. It does not approve pension eligibility.
If you do need a paper Proof of Life statement, why choose Landz?
Mobile notary service
More convenient for older clients. There is no need for a special drive or a long wait; the notary visits the specified address at the scheduled time.
First confirm whether it is needed
If the China Consular app can complete your pension eligibility verification, there is no need to obtain an additional Apostille for the annual review.
Complete the process in one place when needed
If a U.S. paper document is required, the same team handles the statement, notarization, Apostille, and delivery of the final original document.
Frequently asked questions
Does the annual Chinese pension review still require a paper Proof of Life certificate?
In general, retirees living abroad can complete pension eligibility verification online through the China Consular app without applying for a separate paper Proof of Life certificate.
Is there a fee for pension eligibility verification through the China Consular app?
This is an official service. According to information published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Chinese embassies and consulates, it is available free of charge.
Do I need an Apostille after successful verification in the app?
Usually not. Verification in the app is itself the pension eligibility verification process, so a separate U.S. Proof of Life statement or Apostille is not required.
What if facial recognition in the app keeps failing?
If online facial recognition cannot be completed, you can apply for a paper pension eligibility review using the procedures published by the relevant Chinese embassy or consulate, or contact the human resources and social security department where you receive your pension to confirm alternatives.
When should I purchase this service?
Use this service when you have confirmed that you need a Proof of Life statement signed and notarized in the United States, or when the receiving party explicitly requires an Apostille.
Must I sign the Proof of Life statement myself?
Yes. This service is for your own Proof of Life statement, and the signer must attend the notarization in person.
Can you visit an older person who has limited mobility?
Yes. The notary can visit the designated address at the scheduled time to verify identity and complete the signing and notarization.
Can a family member sign on the older person's behalf?
A Proof of Life statement concerns the individual's current living status. For this service, the person making the declaration normally signs and completes identity verification personally; a family member cannot simply sign in their place.
Does an Apostille prove that an older person qualifies for pension payments?
No. An Apostille authenticates the signature, capacity, and seal of the notary or other relevant public official. It does not approve pension eligibility.
Is a Proof of Life statement the same as a consular pension eligibility review?
They are not the same. Chinese embassies, consulates, and the China Consular app conduct an official review within China's pension eligibility verification system. A U.S. notarized Proof of Life is a separate U.S. declaration document.
Will a scanned copy be provided after completion?
Once the Apostille is complete, we mail or deliver the authenticated original documents as agreed in your order.
What happens after I place an order?
We first confirm whether you actually need a U.S. Proof of Life statement and Apostille. If so, we prepare the statement, arrange a mobile notary appointment, and proceed with the Apostille after signing and notarization.
Confirmed you need a U.S. Statement of Existence? Leave the rest to us.
Once your order is placed, we will confirm the content of the Statement of Existence and schedule the notarization. A notary will travel to the designated address at the scheduled time to complete identity verification and signing, and we will handle the subsequent Apostille process for you.
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