How to certify a document
During the pension transfer process problems can sometimes arise, particularly if you’ve changed your name or your home address. Because of these changes your old pension provider might be keen to double-check your identity, and one of the ways they may do so is by asking you to provide a certified document.
What’s a certified document?
A certified document’s a document that’s been signed by a professional or someone of ‘good standing’ to confirm that it’s a ‘true copy’ of an original document. Typical certified documents a pension provider might ask for include:
- Passports
- Photocard driving licences
- Letters from a government department
- Bank/building society or credit card statements
- Gas, electricity or council tax bills
List of certified documents we accept at PensionBee.
Who can certify these documents?
Each pension provider will have specific rules on who can and can’t certify a personal document. The list of Approved Certifiers at PensionBee includes:
- A Post Office Official (Receipt and Certification form required, UK only)
- Solicitors (UK only)
- Barristers (UK only)
- A Chartered or Certified Accountant (UK only)
- A Chartered Legal Executive (UK only)
- A Financial Conduct Authority Approved Person such as an Independent Financial Advisor (UK only)
- Notary Publics (Both UK and abroad).
The person you ask shouldn’t be:
- Related to you
- Living at the same address as you
- In a relationship with you.
How to certify a document
To certify a document simply take a photocopied copy and the original and ask the person to certify the copy by:
- Writing ‘Certified to be a true copy of the original as seen by me’ on the document
- Writing ‘Certified to be a true copy of the original and a true likeness of the individual as seen by me’ on the document (Photo IDs only)
- Signing and dating it
- Printing their name under the signature
- Adding their occupation, address and telephone number.
It’s worth nothing that if we receive certified documents without this information, we may be unable to verify the certification and therefore be required to reject the certification.
Witnessing documents
To have a document witnessed, simply have someone sign in the relevant section or next to your signature.
The person you ask must be at least 18 years old and shouldn’t be:
- Related to you
- Living at the same address as you
- Have financial or other interest with you.
About PensionBee
PensionBee combines all of your old pensions into one new online plan, so it’s easier to keep track of your savings. Use our pension calculator to see how much you should be saving into your pension each month and start meaningfully planning your retirement today.
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Risk warning
As always with investments, your capital is at risk. The value of your investment can go down as well as up, and you may get back less than you invest. This information should not be regarded as financial advice.
Last edited: 06-04-2025
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