What is a Legal Heir Certificate?
When there has been a sudden demise of a family member, a Legal Heir Certificate has to be obtained to authenticate the relationship between the heir and the deceased. It is an important document required for claiming the deceased person’s properties, provident fund, pension and other gratuity benefits, including benefits of central and state government departments.
In India, a Legal Heir Certificate is helpful when the deceased had not selected a nominee. Also, banks and private companies demand legal certificates to transfer deposits, balances, investments, shares, and so on.
Who are Legal Heirs?
Under the laws of India, the following people are considered to be the Legal Heirs of a person and can obtain a Legal Heir Certificate in India:
- Spouse
- Son
- Daughter
- Mother
- Father
How Bigvakil Helps In Applying For A Legal Heir Certificate
The whole procedure of acquiring a Legal Heir certificate can take up to 30 to 45 days.
- Step 1:Procure an application form from the revenue office i.e VAO or R.I or online (REV 114 ) at costing Rs. 60
- Step 2:Make sure all the requisites are attached to the application.
- Step 3:Submit an application to the appropriate revenue officer i.e VAO (Village Administrative Officer).
- Step 4:The revenue officer will acknowledge your application, by affixing his/her seal or digital signature.
- Step 5:Forward the application to the revenue inspector who will conduct an inquiry. In the course of the inquiry, he/she will conduct a local inspection about the applicant and the deceased.
- Step 6:Further the application is presented before the tahsildar. He/she is the final authority in this process. At first, a token is issued to the applicant. Then on the specified day, the application is scrutinized thereby acquiring the final approval. The certificate is then issued sixteen days after the application has been approved.
What Are The Documents required to obtain a Legal Heir Certificate?
- Self-undertaking, i.e. an affidavit drafted and notarised.
- Documentary Proof of Identity
- Documentary Proof of the Heir’s Residence
- Documentary Proof of Date of Birth.
- Death Certificate of the Deceased Person
- Documentary Proof of the Deceased’s Residence.