Legal Heir Certificate Application

To, The Tahsildar / Revenue Officer [authority_name] Date: [application_date] Subject: Application for issue of a Legal Heir Certificate Sir/Madam, 1. I, [applicant_name], residing at [applicant_address], am the [relationship_to_deceased] of the late [deceased_name]. 2. The said [deceased_name] expired on [date_of_death] at [place_of_death]. The death certificate issued by the competent authority is enclosed. 3. The deceased is survived by the following legal heirs: [legal_heirs] 4. I state that the persons listed above are the only surviving legal heirs of the deceased, and that no other person has any claim to that status. I further state that the deceased has not left any will, to the best of my knowledge. 5. The certificate is required for the following purpose: [purpose] 6. I request that a Legal Heir Certificate be issued in my favour, recording the names of the legal heirs as stated above. 7. I undertake to furnish any further particulars or documents that may be required, and to appear before the authority as and when called. 8. I declare that the information given above is true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief, and that I am aware that furnishing false information would render me liable to action in accordance with law. Yours faithfully, [applicant_name] [relationship_to_deceased] of the late [deceased_name] [applicant_address] DOCUMENTS ENCLOSED 1. Death certificate of the deceased (original and photocopy) 2. Identity and address proof of the applicant 3. Identity proof of each legal heir named above 4. Proof of relationship — ration card, family register extract, or school records 5. Address proof of the deceased 6. Self-declaration or affidavit as to the legal heirs, on stamp paper where required 7. Any other document specified by the issuing authority A NOTE ON WHICH CERTIFICATE YOU ACTUALLY NEED A LEGAL HEIR CERTIFICATE is issued by the revenue authorities and identifies the surviving family members of a deceased person. It is commonly accepted for transfer of utility connections, property mutation in revenue records, pension and provident-fund claims, and employment on compassionate grounds. A SUCCESSION CERTIFICATE is a different instrument, granted by a civil court under the Indian Succession Act, 1925, and is directed at debts and securities — bank balances, deposits, shares and similar movable assets. Banks and financial institutions frequently require a succession certificate rather than a legal heir certificate. Where the deceased left a will, PROBATE or LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION may be required instead. Confirm with the institution concerned which instrument it will accept before applying, as the processes and costs differ substantially.