Certification Service
Apply for an existence certificate
Use this service to obtain official documentation confirming your existence or other conditions requiring formal recognition.
Before you start
You will need:
- Your full name (as you wish it to appear on the certificate)
- A valid email address
- Payment method (card or bank transfer)
The process takes approximately 3 minutes. Physical certificates are dispatched within 5-7 working days.
This service is also available for third parties. You may apply on behalf of someone whose existence you wish to formally acknowledge.
The documentation gap
An estimated 67.1 million people in the UK lack official documentation of their existence. This number continues to grow.
Persons without existence documentation
UK, 2015-2026 (millions)
Source: Existence Registry estimates
Why people seek verification
Primary reason cited on application, 2026
Hover over segments for details
Source: Existence Registry Application Survey
Statistics are updated monthly. Historical data on undocumented existence is estimated based on total UK population minus certificates issued.
Certificate types and fees
Choose the certificate type that meets your documentation needs. All certificates include a unique reference number and registry entry.
| Feature | Digital £5 | Recommended Physical £15 | By Request Royal £45 | Best Value Ongoing £3/mo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digital certificate (PDF) | ✓ | Included | Included | ✓ |
| Unique verification number | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Registry entry | ✓ | ✓ | Permanent | ✓ |
| Printed certificate | - | 120gsm archival | Cotton rag | Annual |
| Registry seal | Digital | Embossed 38mm | Wax (burgundy) | Digital |
| Officer countersignature | - | ✓ | ✓ | - |
| Protective packaging | - | Envelope | Archival tube | - |
| Monthly re-confirmation | - | - | - | ✓ |
| Priority processing | +£5 | +£5 | +£5 | Included |
| Delivery | 24 hours | 5-7 days | 5-7 days | Ongoing |
All certificates are non-transferable. Ongoing Existence Confirmation may be paused up to 3 months during periods of existential uncertainty. Priority processing aims for same-day delivery but cannot be guaranteed during periods of high demand. Royal tier is by special request only - upon purchase, availability will be confirmed and you will be contacted regarding next steps.
What you'll receive
Each certificate is professionally designed and includes your unique verification number, Registry seal, and official documentation of your verified condition.
Certificate Features
- Unique Certificate Number - Each certificate is individually numbered and registered with the Central Registry
- Verification QR Code - Scannable code links directly to your certificate's verification page
- Official Registry Seal - Embossed (physical) or digital seal of authenticity
- Personalised Details - Your name, verified condition, and issue date prominently displayed
- Validity Period - One year from date of issue (renewable)
Digital certificates are delivered as high-resolution PDFs suitable for printing or framing. Physical certificates are printed on archival-quality paper.
Other certificates available
The Registry issues certificates for a range of conditions. Same pricing tiers apply.
Effort Certification
You tried. That's documented now.
Official recognition that you did, in fact, try. Outcomes, results, and any tangible success are outside the scope of this certification. The Registry certifies effort expended, not effort rewarded.
Common applications: Failed diets, abandoned hobbies, "we gave it a go" relationships, startup attempts, learning to play guitar (first 3 weeks only).
Absolutely Done Certificate
Finished. Completely. Officially.
Formal documentation that the holder has reached the end of their patience, capacity, or willingness to continue. The Registry makes no judgement on what precisely the holder is done with. Could be work. Could be people. Could be the entire concept of Tuesdays. The specifics are not our concern.
Custom Verification
If you need it documented, we'll consider it.
The Registry maintains a dedicated Custom Verification Unit for non-standard requests. Assessment fee: £2 (waived if application proceeds).
Recent requests: "Confirmed I was the first to suggest that restaurant," "Verified I did say it would rain," "Documented that I'm not being dramatic."
17 more certificates available
Adulting Licence
Provisional. Revocable. Yours.
Meeting Survival Certificate
You were there. The whole time.
Small Win Recognition
The Registry sees you. The Registry validates.
Overwhelm Acknowledgment
Too much - formally recognised.
Low Battery Notice
Diminished capacity - officially documented.
Barely Holding It Together Citation
Structural integrity - technically intact.
Polite Lie Authorisation
Social untruths - pre-approved.
Bed Made Achievement
Domestic triumph - officially recognised.
Uncertainty Acknowledgment
Not knowing - formally registered.
Good Intentions Registry
Intentions present - outcomes not guaranteed.
Time Passage Verification
Duration elapsed - officially confirmed.
Quiet Desperation Licence
Coping - within acceptable parameters.
Impostor Syndrome Waiver
Belonging - provisionally granted.
First Grey Hair Registry
Mortality - formally noted.
Forgot Why I Walked Into This Room Notice
Purpose - temporarily misplaced.
Terms and Conditions Acceptance Record
Agreement given - contents unknown.
Kept a Plant Alive Certificate
Sustained life - officially verified.
Submit verification request
Complete the form below to begin your application. All fields marked with * are required.
Frequently asked questions
Is this legally binding?
Certificates issued by the Existence Registry are recognised by the Registry and by all parties who choose to recognise them - which, at present, includes primarily other applicants, supportive family members, and one unusually philosophical cat.
Recognition by governmental bodies, employers, or sceptical relatives is at their discretion.
How do you verify existence?
Our verification methodology is proprietary but thorough. It involves a multi-stage assessment including form completion (demonstrates intent), payment processing (demonstrates economic participation), and the Preliminary Existence Check (demonstrates capacity for interaction).
We do not employ philosophical verification, as Descartes' methodology - while thorough - is difficult to scale.
Can I verify someone else's existence?
Yes. Third-party verification is available and accounts for 22% of our applications. Simply select "This is a gift" during the application process.
Note: The recipient is not required to exist at the time of application, though this may affect the accuracy of the certificate.
What if I stop existing?
Certificates remain valid for the existence status documented at the time of issue. The Registry does not offer refunds under any circumstances - though in the case of non-existence, this is rather a moot point, as it would require someone to request it.
Ongoing Existence Confirmation holders may pause their plan for up to 3 months during periods of existential uncertainty.
Do you offer refunds?
No. Once existence has been verified, it cannot be un-verified. The documentation is final. The Registry has spoken.
Each certificate is a bespoke, personalised document crafted specifically for the applicant. We cannot return it to stock. There is no stock. There is only you, documented.
Why should I trust the Registry?
The Existence Registry is an independent certification body. We maintain rigorous documentation standards and have issued over 18,000 certificates to date.
Our verification officers undergo extensive training, our registry is maintained on secure systems, and our wax seals are genuinely made of wax. What more could you ask for?
What happens to my data?
Your data is stored securely and used solely for the purpose of certificate issuance and registry maintenance. We do not sell data to third parties, as we have found that the market for existence-related information is - perhaps surprisingly - quite limited.
You may request deletion of your record - this is your right and also, depending on your philosophical outlook, possibly a bit on the nose.
How the process works
Apply online
Complete the application form with your details and select your certificate type.
Pay the fee
Pay the applicable fee securely online. We accept most major payment methods.
Application review
Your application is assessed by the Registry's Certification Standards Panel.
Certificate issued
Your certificate is prepared and your details are added to the Central Registry.
Receive certificate
Digital certificates arrive within 24 hours. Physical certificates within 5-7 days.