What's the difference between a legal heir certificate and a succession certificate?
A legal heir certificate, issued by the Tahsildar/revenue authority, identifies the heirs of a deceased person for transferring property, pension, gratuity and similar benefits. A succession certificate, issued by a civil court, is needed specifically to collect the deceased's debts and securities (bank deposits, shares) where there's no will. They serve different purposes.
1Legal heir certificate
Obtained from the Tahsildar/revenue office, it lists the legal heirs and is used for pension, PF, gratuity, electricity/property transfer and insurance claims. It's quicker and cheaper to get.
2Succession certificate
Granted by a civil court under the Indian Succession Act, it authorises the holder to receive the deceased's debts and movable securities (bank balances, shares, bonds) when the person died intestate (without a will). It involves a court petition and notice period.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a succession certificate if there's a will?
Generally no — if there's a valid will, the executor distributes assets per the will (sometimes needing probate). A succession certificate is mainly for collecting debts and securities when someone dies without a will.
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General information for AY 2026-27, not professional advice. Laws change with each Finance Act, notification or amendment and depend on your specific facts — verify the current position with a licensed CA or advocate before acting.