A legal heir certificate lists the surviving legal heirs of a deceased person. Banks, insurers, pension offices and property registrars ask for it before releasing funds, transferring a policy, or mutating property into the heirs' names. It is issued by the Tehsildar/Revenue Officer (or a Municipal Corporation in some cities) and is different from a succession certificate, which only a civil court can issue for contested inheritance or debt/security transfer.
Official website
State Revenue Department / e-District portals
https://services.india.gov.in
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Apply at the Tehsildar/Taluk office or your state's e-District portal (some states, like Telangana's Mee Seva or Tamil Nadu's e-Sevai, allow full online filing).
Submit the death certificate, family details and an affidavit listing every legal heir.
A Revenue Inspector or Village Administrative Officer verifies the family details, sometimes with a local enquiry.
The Tehsildar signs off and the certificate is issued, usually within 15–30 days.
Use the certificate with banks, insurers or the sub-registrar for property mutation.
Official fees
Nominal — typically ₹20–100 plus affidavit/stamp paper cost; exact fee varies by state.
Processing time
Roughly 15–30 days after verification, longer if there's a dispute among heirs.
Validity
No expiry, but banks/insurers may ask for a recently issued copy.
How to apply
Online (state e-District/Mee Seva/e-Sevai portal) · Offline (Tehsildar/Revenue office)
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A legal heir certificate (Tehsildar-issued) identifies the heirs for routine transfers like pension, salary dues or a bank account. A succession certificate (court-issued) is needed for contested inheritance, debts, or transferring securities/shares, and carries more legal weight.