I hear you, it's maybe a bit tedious to set up, but it's a one off once established and up and running it's much easier to interact with all things gov.uk based.

I think that I did mine 100% online, didn't have to post anything.

It really is worth doing imo.

My experience is that the DWP is extremely helpful. I'm not sure what original documents you are referring to, but a pension application can be done over the phone with very little fuss. It took me about 10 minutes (after waiting maybe 30 to get connected) but it was all very straightforward and efficient.

Initially I got stuck in the setting-up process for lack of suitable id, which I thought was the end of the matter. Gave it another go a bit later when some other call for an account was occasioned and came up against the same thing. I saw that answering questions about credit card, mobile phone contract etc might be a solution but had dismissed it at first as I knew I'd left the UK so long ago it would never work but blow me, on answering no, no, no to everything, it came up trumps.

It made getting a proper pension forecast and log of payable gaps in NI contributions a lot easier.

From the Guide IPCBR1NSP notes v2 12/25

Page 2 - Your birth certificate

Send us your birth certificate if your date of birth is not at the top of the letter we sent with this claim form or if the date of birth is wrong. I have not been sent a claim form or a letter as you can do it online.

We need the original certificate. A photocopy may be acceptable but only if it has been stamped and signed by any of the following:

• a civil servant

• a doctor or surgeon registered under the laws of the country where the declaration is made

• a minister of religion

• a barrister, solicitor or advocate authorized to practice in the country where the declaration is made

• a notary public or any person allowed to administer oaths in the country where the declaration is made

• an officer of a bank authorized to sign documents on the customer’s behalf

• a magistrate.

Do not delay sending this claim form if you do not have your birth certificate or cannot send it quickly as your payments may be delayed. Other documents with your date of birth on may be acceptable.

So basically if I get them to send me the form with the correct DOB that is on the letter then no need to send it in. I wonder how many just fill out the online forms available and send in their Birth Certificate when it does not need to be done IF you applied for the forms and received an accompanying letter. HOW MANY WOULD KNOW THIS?

https://assets.publishing.service.go...otes_12_25.pdf

Now contrary to belief I am somewhat smarter than the average bear but what about those who are not and how sometimes what seems simple to some can become challenging for others.

On the flip side of FL's situation, I suspect I may be entitled to a modest CPP pension from my 7 years work in Canada... must look into that at some point.

Here you go

https://www.canada.ca/en/services/be...igibility.html

Well the International Pension Centre replied to my query and sent me the usual template reply.

Did they answer the question about liability about who would be responsible for paying and replacing an original birth certificate if it got lost/misplaced NO.

I sent them a reply asking could they send me the letter with my date of birth on it so I do not have to send the birth certificate as outlined in the Notes Booklet.

Page 2 - Your birth certificate

Send us your birth certificate if your date of birth is not at the top of the

letter we sent with this claim form or if the date of birth is wrong.

I have told them I will be submitting by mail and I do have access to the 3 forms I need to submit a claim but can I have this letter.

https://assets.publishing.service.go...otes_12_25.pdf

I am awaiting a response.

You seem to be making a bit of a meal of this. Why not just photocopy your birth certificate and get it stamped and signed by someone in one of the many professions//occupations provided in the guidance?

Because that cost's money and as seen no need to provide a birth certificate if they send me that letter. Of course you don't find any Govt programs an inconvenience when it can be simple and why pay when you don't have to. There again you could not make a meal of my situation by not commenting on it.

Apologies, I didn't realise that the cost was an impediment to you getting this sorted out quickly and simply. Just trying to help.

Apology accepted and as outlined in post 19 it is not the cost that is an impediment but more of the UK Gov not making things simple and you have to dig through several different links to find out the information. Govt efficiency at it's best.