Legal Heir Certificate:
An official document issued by:
- Tehsildar/Revenue Authority
- District Magistrate
- Court (in some states)

States That:
- Names of legal heirs of deceased
- Relationship with deceased
- Authority to represent estate

Used For:
- Claiming insurance money
- Pension transfer/settlement
- Bank account access
- PF/gratuity claims
- Government dues
- Employment on compassionate grounds
- Educational scholarships
- Transfer of vehicle registration

Applicants:
- Any legal heir of deceased
- Spouse
- Children
- Parents
- Siblings (if no spouse/children)
- Any Class I or II heir

Legal Heir Certificate:
- Issued by Revenue Authority
- Simpler process
- Lower fees
- Faster
- Limited acceptance
- Not for high-value assets
- No court involvement

Succession Certificate:
- Issued by Civil Court
- Complex court procedure
- Higher fees (ad valorem)
- Time consuming (months/years)
- Universally accepted
- Required for high-value assets
- Court decree

Legal Heir Certificate:
- Government dues
- Insurance claims (sometimes)
- Pension
- PF claims
- Lower value matters
- Cooperative societies

Succession Certificate:
- Bank accounts (large balance)
- Shares and securities
- Debentures
- Government securities
- When specifically demanded
- High-value assets

Essential Documents:
□ Death certificate of deceased
□ ID proof of applicant
□ Address proof of applicant
□ ID proof of all legal heirs
□ Relationship proof
□ Ration card (family details)
□ Passport size photos
□ Affidavit on stamp paper

To Establish Relationship:
- Marriage certificate (spouse)
- Birth certificate (children)
- School records
- Voter ID/Aadhar (address match)
- Family records
- Affidavit with witnesses

May Be Required:
- NOC from other heirs
- Address of all heirs
- Details of property/assets
- Proof of death at residence
- Verification of resident status

First Requirement:
Death Certificate from:
- Municipal Corporation
- Gram Panchayat
- Hospital where death occurred

Without this, process cannot start

Affidavit Should State:
- Details of deceased
- Date and place of death
- Names of all legal heirs
- Relationships
- That no heir is excluded
- That information is correct

On stamp paper:
₹10-100 (varies by state)

Offline:
- Visit Tehsil office
- Submit application form
- Attach documents
- Pay fees
- Get receipt

Online (Where Available):
- State portal
- Create account
- Fill application
- Upload documents
- Pay fees online
- Track status

Authority May:
- Conduct local inquiry
- Verify documents
- Check records
- Ask for additional proof
- Publish notice (some states)

After Verification:
- Certificate issued
- Collect from office
- Or receive by post
- Download (if online)

Authority: Tehsildar

Process:
1. Apply to Tehsil office
2. Submit documents
3. Fees: ~₹25
4. Inquiry by Patwari
5. Certificate in 15-30 days

Online: e-District portal

Authority: Tehsildar/SDM

Process:
1. Apply at Tehsil
2. Submit affidavit
3. Fees: ~₹40-50
4. Verification
5. Certificate in 15-45 days

Online: Aaple Sarkar portal

Authority: Tahsildar

Process:
1. Apply to Taluk office
2. Submit Form 51
3. Documents attached
4. Fees: ~₹25
5. Certificate in 30 days

Online: Nadakacheri portal

Authority: Tahsildar/RDO

Process:
1. Application to Taluk office
2. Affidavit required
3. Fees: ~₹25
4. Verification
5. Certificate in 15-30 days

Online: TN e-Seva portal

Authority: SDM

Process:
1. Apply to SDM office
2. Submit documents
3. Fees: ~₹10-50
4. Verification
5. Certificate in 15-21 days

Online: e-District Delhi portal

Common Process:
- Apply to Tehsildar/SDM
- Submit death certificate
- Submit relationship proof
- Affidavit
- Verification
- Certificate issued

Check State Portal:
- Most states have online facility
- Search "Legal heir certificate [state name]"

1. Visit State Portal:
   - Find e-District service
   - Or specific department portal

2. Register/Login:
   - Create citizen account
   - Verify mobile/email

3. Find Service:
   - Search "Legal Heir Certificate"
   - Or in Revenue services

4. Fill Application:
   - Deceased details
   - Applicant details
   - Legal heirs list
   - Address details

5. Upload Documents:
   - Scan and upload
   - Proper format/size
   - Clear, readable copies

6. Pay Fees:
   - Online payment
   - Keep receipt

7. Track Application:
   - Get application number
   - Track status online

National: Digital India Services
Check: services.india.gov.in

State Examples:
- UP: edistrict.up.gov.in
- Maharashtra: aaplesarkar.mahaonline.gov.in
- Karnataka: nadakacheri.karnataka.gov.in
- Tamil Nadu: tnesevai.tn.gov.in
- Delhi: edistrict.delhigovt.nic.in
- Gujarat: digitalgujarat.gov.in

Normal Processing:
- 15-30 days typically
- May be faster online
- Delays if documents incomplete
- Inquiry may add time

Typical Fees:
- Application: ₹10-50
- Stamp paper for affidavit: ₹10-100
- Notarization: ₹50-100
- Total: ₹50-250

State Variations Exist

Agent/Service Fees:
- Additional ₹500-2,000
- For document preparation
- For follow-up
- For faster processing

Recommendation:
Apply yourself (straightforward)

AFFIDAVIT

I, [Your Name], S/o [Father's Name], aged [X] 
years, resident of [Full Address], do hereby 
solemnly affirm and declare as under:

1. That [Deceased Name], S/o [Father's Name] 
   expired on [Date] at [Place].

2. That I am the [Son/Daughter/Spouse] of 
   the deceased.

3. That the following are all the legal 
   heirs of the deceased:

   a) [Name], [Relation], Age [X]
   b) [Name], [Relation], Age [X]
   c) [Name], [Relation], Age [X]
   [List all heirs]

4. That no other legal heir of the deceased 
   exists apart from those named above.

5. That this certificate is required for 
   [Purpose - e.g., claiming insurance].

6. That the facts stated above are true to 
   the best of my knowledge and belief.

DEPONENT

Verification:
Verified that the contents of this affidavit 
are true and correct.

[Place]
[Date]

Reasons:
- Incomplete documents
- Wrong form
- Fee not paid
- Affidavit issues

Solution:
- Resubmit with corrections
- Provide additional documents
- Follow guidelines carefully

Issue:
Certificate won't include missing heir

Solution:
- Trace the heir
- Include all heirs
- If untraceable, publish notice
- Court procedure may be needed

Issue:
Other heirs contesting

Solution:
- Try to resolve amicably
- All heirs should consent
- May need court intervention
- Succession certificate may be better

Issue:
Old death, no certificate

Solution:
- Apply for delayed registration
- Provide alternative proof
- Hospital records
- Burial/cremation records
- Affidavits from witnesses

First Priority:
- Sons and daughters
- Widow
- Mother
- Son of predeceased son
- Daughter of predeceased son
- Son of predeceased daughter
- Daughter of predeceased daughter
- Widow of predeceased son
- Son of predeceased son of predeceased son
- Widow of predeceased son of predeceased son
- Daughter of predeceased son of predeceased son

If No Class I:
- Father
- Son's daughter's son
- Son's daughter's daughter
- Brother
- Sister
- And others...

Different Rules:
- Quranic heirs
- Agnatic heirs
- Uterine heirs

Consult Muslim personal law

General Rules:
- Indian Succession Act applies
- Different hierarchy
- Consult relevant laws

You Can:
- Claim dues on behalf of estate
- Represent deceased's interests
- Apply for asset transfer
- Submit to authorities

May Not Be Sufficient For:
- Direct asset transfer
- High-value bank accounts
- Share transfer (needs succession)
- Property mutation (needs other docs)

Generally:
- Valid until revoked
- No expiry date
- Some institutions may ask for recent one
- Renewal not required

Before Applying:
□ Death certificate obtained
□ All heirs identified
□ Relationship proof ready
□ ID/address proof of all
□ Affidavit prepared
□ Photos arranged
□ Fee amount known

During Application:
□ All fields filled correctly
□ All documents attached
□ Fee paid
□ Receipt obtained
□ Application number noted

After Receiving:
□ Verify all heirs included
□ Check for errors
□ Make photocopies
□ Store safely