Life Certificate via app

Illustration car in field

Submit your Life Certificate easily via the app

Do you live abroad? And do you receive a pension from Shell Pension? Then we need proof that you are alive, every year. You can submit your Life Certificate securely and easily via the ReadID Ready app. Previously, you had to have a form filled out by an authorized agency. This could take a good part of a day. With the app, you can do it from home, in just 5 minutes.

Please send us the Life Certificate on 10 July 2026 at the latest

Then we can verify your eligibility for your pension.

How to use the ReadID Ready app

Easily submit your Life Certificate when you live abroad, in 5 steps:

Step 1: Download the ReadID Ready app and scan the QR code from the letter. If you have an Android phone, you'll find the app in the Google Play Store, or you can download it in the App Store for an iPhone.

Step 2: Make sure you have your identity document readily available.

Step 3: Scan your identity document.

Step 4: Read the NSC chip from your identity document.

Step 5: Use the camera on your phone to scan your face. This shows that you are a real, living person.

Following the facial verification, you will receive confirmation via the app. We will only contact you if information is missing. If you don't hear from us, your data has been processed successfully.

Manual submitting Life certificate

Questions before using the app

Why do I have to use this app?

You don't have to use the app if you don't want to. You can also send us the completed Life Certificate form. The form is in the same letter or email where the QR code was provided.

I don't have internet or a smartphone. What now?

You can ask someone in your family or a friend who has a smartphone for help. If no one is available, you can fill out the form we sent you, which you’ll find in the same letter or email where the QR code was provided.

How do I know if my phone is compatible?

The app works on most iPhone and Android smartphones. Do you encounter issues while downloading the app or scanning the QR code? Then you could also use someone else's phone. The app is only used to submit the Life Certificate. The data is not stored on the phone. Feel free to delete the app after using it.

How do I know my passport or ID card can be used?

Your document may not have the required NFC chip, which means the app can't read the information and you won't be able to use the app. In that case, please use the form we sent you instead. All Dutch passports issued from 2014 onwards come with a standard NFC chip. You can recognise this by the symbol.

icoon NFC-Chip

You can find this symbol located on the front of your passport or ID card.

I don't see the Shell logo when I want to download the app. Why is that?

Our external partner developed the app. After you scan the QR code, the Shell logo will appear.

I receive requests from several authorities for a Life Certificate. Do I submit these to each authority separately?

Yes, you need to submit the Life Certificate separately to each authority. Please only use the ReadID Ready app and the QR code you received from us to send the Life Certificate to Shell Pension. If you opt for the form instead of the app, please know that the form can’t be used for other authorities other than Shell Pension.

Questions during the use of the app

How does the ReadID Ready app work?

The ReadID Ready app reads the information on your passport or ID card via the NFC chip situated on the front of your identity document. This chip contains your personal data and passport photo, which can also be found in the physical document. In addition, the chip holds extra details, such as the document's digital security and authenticity.

To access this information, you first need to scan the Machine Readable Zone of your document. The Machine Readable Zone is a code added at the bottom of the personal data page of an identity document. It usually consists of 1-3 lines of letters and digits containing the document holder's personal information. On the identity card, this zone is typically located on the back.

What is a QR code and how does it work?

A QR code is a kind of barcode you scan with your smartphone. This will immediately open the app. Launch the app and follow the instructions.

The email with the QR code is on the phone I want to use to scan it. What can I do?

You can print the e-mail and then scan the code with your smartphone. You can also open the e-mail on your tablet, PC or another smartphone and use the app on your smartphone to scan the QR code on the screen.

I can't seem to scan the QR code. What can I do?

Scanning the QR code with the app is generally a smooth process. But if you're experiencing issues, you can try the following:

  • Move your phone closer or further away from the QR code. The QR code fits in the square on your smartphone screen.
  • Turn or move your phone to avoid reflecting light.
  • Is the QR code printed on paper? Then maybe your surroundings are too dark. In that case, turn on your smartphone’s flashlight or move to a brighter area and try again.
The app tells me the QR code has expired or has been used. What can I do?

You'll see an ‘expired’ message appear if you:

  • Have already submitted data in the app, or
  • Have scanned the QR code more than three times, or
  • Received the QR code over 50 days ago.

In that case, you can request a new QR code from us, then pleasse contact us.

The ‘in use’ error message appears when you:

  • Close the app before you're finished.

Please wait 30 minutes and scan the QR code again.

I can't scan my passport or ID-card. What do I need to do?

Your passport or ID card may not have an NFC chip. If that's the case, the app will be unable to read your ID information and will not work. Please use the form we sent you instead.

Can I use my driver's licence in the ReadID Ready app?

No, the ReadID Ready app requires a scan of a Dutch driving license. Because you live abroad, there is a good chance that you do not have a Dutch driver's license. We therefore ask you to use a passport or ID card.

Why do I have to scan my face?

By scanning your face, we can be sure it's you by comparing your facial scan with the photo on your passport or ID card.

I've completed the digital proces. Do I need to do anything else?

No, completing the digital process is all you must do. Your Life Certificate has been submitted successfully. We'll only contact you if we have any additional questions. We might also contact you by phone or email to ask you about your experience.

Questions about the safety of the app

Is any information stored on my phone?

No, it is not. Once you close the app, the data is deleted from your smartphone.

What happens to my personal information? And what personal data is stored?

The ReadID Ready app looks at the personal data on your ID card's NFC chip to verify that your passport or ID card is authentic. We use this data to recognise you and determine that you are still alive.

The data we use includes:

  • Your first and last name, date of birth, gender, nationality, and passport photograph.
  • The document number, country of issue and expiry date of your passport or ID card.

The personal data is processed within 50 days. Your personal information is stored until the process is completed. Upon completion, all the data will be deleted.

Shell Pension only retains the data requested in the form. We will also store technical details, such as when you submitted your Life Certificate.

If I use somebody else's smartphone, can they access my personal data?

No. Your personal data is not stored on the smartphone. As soon as you close the app, all personal data is deleted.

How do I know if my passport or ID can be used by the app?

Your document may not have the required NFC chip, which means the app can't read the information and you won't be able to use the app. In that case, please use the form we sent you instead. All Dutch passports issued from 2014 onwards come with a standard NFC chip. You can recognise this by the symbol.

icoon NFC-Chip

You can find this symbol located on the front of your passport or ID card.

I don't see the Shell logo when I want to download the app. Why is that?

Our external partner developed the app. After you scan the QR code, the Shell logo will appear.

I receive requests from several authorities for a Life Certificate. Do I submit these to each authority separately?

Yes, you need to submit the Life Certificate separately to each authority. Please only use the ReadID Ready app and the QR code you received from us to send the Life Certificate to Shell Pension. If you opt for the form instead of the app, please know that the form can’t be used for other authorities other than Shell Pension.