Certificate of Inheritance

A certificate of inheritance is a court-issued document confirming who has become heir and to what extent the heirs are entitled to act in relation to the estate.

It is requested from the probate court and is often needed when banks, the land registry or contractual partners require proof of heir status. If a notarised will and opening record exist, a certificate may not always be necessary.

Before filing the application, it should be checked whether the inheritance should be accepted and whether the estate may be overindebted. An unconsidered application can be treated as acceptance of the inheritance and may have liability consequences.