SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM N-8A NOTIFICATION OF REGISTRATION FILED PURSUANT TO SECTION 8(a) OF THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 The undersigned investment company hereby notifies the Securities and Exchange Commission that it registers under and pursuant to the provisions of Section 8(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and in connection with such notification of registration submits the following information: Name: Merrill Lynch Life Variable Annuity Separate Account C Address of Principal Business Offices (No. & Street, City, State, Zip Code): 7 Roszel Road Princeton, New Jersey 08540 Telephone Number (including area code): (609) 627-3700 Name and address of agent for service of process: Stephen E. Roth, Esq. Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP 1275 Pennsylvania Ave. NW Washington, DC 20004-2415 Check Appropriate Box: Registrant is filing a Registration Statement pursuant to Section 8(b) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 concurrently with the filing of Form N-8A: Yes [X] No [ ] SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has caused this notification of registration to be duly signed on its behalf of the Township of Princeton and State of New Jersey on the 15th day of November, 2001. Signature: Merrill Lynch Life Variable Annuity Separate Account C -------------------------------------------------------- (Name of Registrant) By: /s/ Barry G. Skolnick ----------------------------------------------- Name: Barry G. Skolnick Title: Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company Attest: /s/ Edward W. Diffin, Jr. --------------------------------------- Edward W. Diffin, Jr. Vice President and Senior Counsel