Certificates

How to Apply for Legal Heir Certificate Online — Process, Documents & Format

Complete guide to apply for legal heir certificate online via e-District portals. Documents required, format, fees, processing time, and FAQs explained.

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Disclaimer: This is an independent informational guide. We are NOT affiliated with any government body. Always verify on official websites.

Official Links

edistrict.up.gov.inedistrict.delhigovt.nic.inedistrict.maharashtra.gov.inindia.gov.in

A legal heir certificate is an official document issued by a state government authority (Revenue Department or Tehsildar office) that identifies all the surviving legal heirs of a deceased person. It establishes the relationship between the deceased and their heirs, confirming who is legally entitled to the deceased person's assets and benefits.

This certificate is commonly required to claim the deceased person's pending dues such as bank deposits, insurance amounts, pension arrears, provident fund, gratuity, and other government or private benefits.

The certificate is issued under the respective state revenue rules and is typically valid for claiming movable assets and government dues — not for immutable property disputes, which usually require a succession certificate.

Many people confuse these two documents. Here's how they differ:

Feature Legal Heir Certificate Succession Certificate
Issued by Tehsildar / Revenue authority District Court
Purpose Identify legal heirs, claim movable assets & dues Establish right to inherit debts & securities
Applicable law State revenue rules Indian Succession Act, 1925
Processing time 15–30 days 3–6 months
Cost ₹50–₹200 (nominal fees) Court fees (varies by claim amount)
Property type Movable assets, government dues Debts, securities, immovable property
Complexity Simple administrative process Court proceedings required

When to use which: If you need to claim a deceased family member's bank balance, insurance, PF, or pension, a legal heir certificate is usually sufficient. For transferring immovable property or securities of high value, you may need a succession certificate.

Any surviving legal heir of the deceased can apply. The following are recognised as legal heirs:

  • Spouse — Husband or wife of the deceased
  • Children — Sons and daughters (including legally adopted children)
  • Parents — Father and mother of the deceased
  • Siblings — Brothers and sisters (if no spouse, children, or parents survive)
  • Dependents — Other persons who were legally dependent on the deceased

The applicant must be one of the legal heirs and must declare the complete list of all surviving heirs in the application. Concealing any legal heir is a punishable offence.

Keep the following documents ready before applying:

Mandatory Documents

  • Death certificate of the deceased — How to apply for death certificate
  • Identity proof of applicant — Aadhaar card, voter ID, or passport
  • Address proof of applicant — Aadhaar, utility bill, ration card, or domicile certificate
  • Identity proof of deceased — Aadhaar card, voter ID, or PAN card
  • Relationship proof — Ration card, family register, marriage certificate, or birth certificates showing relationship with the deceased
  • Affidavit / Self-declaration — Sworn affidavit listing all legal heirs of the deceased (on stamp paper)

Additional Documents (if applicable)

  • Ration card showing names of family members
  • Passport-size photographs of the applicant
  • Voter ID / family details from the local body
  • NOC from other legal heirs (in some states)
  • Income certificate — may be required in some states (How to get income certificate)

Tip: Requirements vary by state. Check your state's e-District portal for the exact document list before applying.

How to Apply for Legal Heir Certificate Online — Step-by-Step Process

Most states now offer online application through their e-District portals. Here is the general process:

Step 1: Visit Your State's e-District Portal

Go to your state's e-District or service portal. Some common portals:

You can also access services through the Common Service Centres (CSCs) near you.

Step 2: Register or Log In

  • If you're a new user, click Register and create an account using your mobile number and Aadhaar
  • Existing users can log in with their credentials
  • Some states support login via DigiLocker or SSO ID

Step 3: Select the Service

  • Navigate to Revenue Services or Certificate Services
  • Select "Legal Heir Certificate" or "Varasudar Certificate" (name varies by state)

Step 4: Fill the Application Form

Enter the required details:

  • Applicant details — Name, address, mobile number, Aadhaar number
  • Deceased person's details — Name, date of death, place of death, death certificate number
  • Legal heir details — Names, ages, relationship, and Aadhaar numbers of ALL legal heirs
  • Purpose — Reason for requiring the certificate (bank claim, insurance, pension, etc.)

Step 5: Upload Documents

Upload scanned copies of all required documents:

  • Death certificate (PDF/JPG)
  • Applicant's identity and address proof
  • Relationship proof documents
  • Affidavit on stamp paper
  • Passport-size photograph

Note: File size limits are usually 100KB–500KB per document. Keep scans clear and legible.

Step 6: Pay Fees and Submit

  • Pay the application fee online via net banking, UPI, or debit card
  • Fees are typically ₹50 to ₹200 depending on the state
  • After payment, submit the application and note down the application/reference number

Step 7: Verification and Certificate Issuance

  • The Tehsildar or Revenue Inspector may conduct a local enquiry to verify the claim
  • Other legal heirs may be called for verification
  • Once verified, the certificate is issued digitally and can be downloaded from the portal

A standard legal heir certificate contains the following details:

  • Certificate number and date of issue
  • Name of the deceased with date and place of death
  • Details of all legal heirs — Name, age, relationship with deceased
  • Purpose for which the certificate is issued
  • Issuing authority — Name, designation, and seal of the Tehsildar/SDM
  • Official stamp and signature

The certificate is typically issued on the official letterhead of the Revenue Department and carries a unique identification number for verification.

Digital certificates issued through e-District portals can be verified online using the certificate number on the respective state portal.

Fees and Processing Time

Detail Information
Application fee ₹50–₹200 (varies by state)
Processing time 15–30 working days
Validity Lifetime (unless challenged in court)
Mode of delivery Digital download from e-District portal

Some states like Delhi and Karnataka have faster processing times of 7–15 days. If applying through CSCs, an additional service charge of ₹20–₹50 may apply.

A legal heir certificate is required in many situations after a person's death:

  • Bank accounts — To claim the deceased's bank balance, fixed deposits, or locker contents when there is no nominee
  • Insurance claims — Life insurance, health insurance, or accidental insurance payouts
  • Pension and family pension — To claim pending pension or start family pension from government or private employers
  • Provident Fund (PF) & Gratuity — To claim EPF balance or gratuity dues
  • Government dues — Salary arrears, GPF, and other pending payments
  • Property mutation — To update land revenue records in the name of legal heirs
  • Vehicle transfer — To transfer ownership of the deceased's vehicle
  • Share and investment transfer — Mutual funds, shares, or other investments
  • Court proceedings — To establish legal heir status in succession matters

Important Tips

  • List all legal heirs — Omitting any heir intentionally can lead to legal action and cancellation of the certificate
  • Apply from the deceased's jurisdiction — Apply in the district/tehsil where the deceased last resided
  • Keep multiple copies — Get certified copies as different agencies may retain originals
  • Track your application — Use the reference number to check status on the e-District portal
  • Offline option — If online services are unavailable, visit your Tehsildar office directly with the same documents

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

No. A legal heir certificate is issued by the Revenue Department (Tehsildar) and identifies legal heirs for claiming movable assets and dues. A succession certificate is issued by a District Court under the Indian Succession Act and is needed for inheriting debts, securities, and immovable property.

Typically 15–30 working days from the date of application. Some states process it within 7–15 days. You can track your application status on the state e-District portal using your reference number.

A legal heir certificate is generally accepted for mutation of land records and transferring movable property. However, for resolving property disputes or transferring immovable property titles, a court-issued succession certificate may be required.

The fee ranges from ₹50 to ₹200 depending on the state. If applying through a Common Service Centre (CSC), an additional service charge of ₹20–₹50 may be applicable.

You must apply in the district or tehsil where the deceased person last resided. You cannot apply from a different state. However, some states allow online applications that can be initiated from anywhere.

The Tehsildar, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), or Revenue Officer of the concerned district issues the legal heir certificate. It is a state government service available through the Revenue Department.

No, there is no strict time limit. You can apply anytime after the death of the person. However, it is advisable to apply as early as possible, especially if you need to claim time-sensitive benefits like insurance or pension.

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