Legal Heir Certificate: A Comprehensive Guide

1. Definition and Purpose:

• A Legal Heir Certificate contains details of all living family members of the deceased, including names, addresses, ages, marital status, and their relation to the deceased.
• It is issued by the Court or Government Authority in the area where the deceased resided.
• Used for various purposes such as transferring bank accounts, utility connections, claiming family pensions, or insurance benefits.

2. Application Submission:

• Location: Applications can be submitted at the District Court or the Taluk/Tahsildar office in your area.
• Application Form: Obtain the format from the concerned office and ensure all details are accurately filled.

3. Document Requirements:

• Completed Application Form: Ensure all details are filled accurately.
• Death Certificate (Original): Mandatory proof of the deceased's passing.
• Identity Proofs:
  • For the applicant: Aadhaar Card is preferred, but other government-issued IDs like Voter ID, PAN Card, Passport, or Driving Licence are accepted.
  • For all legal heirs: Identity proof of each heir using the same options as the applicant.

4. Verification and Issuance:

• Authorities will verify the application and documents, which may include local inquiries.
• Upon successful verification, the legal heir certificate will be issued.

5. Other Names:

In different jurisdictions, it may be known as:

• Family Tree Certificate
• Inheritance Certificate
• Pedghinama
• Varisu Certificate

6. Applicable Law:

• Legal heir certificates are governed by state-specific laws and local authorities rather than a central law like the Indian Succession Act.
• By obtaining a legal heir certificate through the prescribed process, individuals can establish their rightful claim to the deceased's assets and benefits, ensuring a smooth transition of inheritance.