Heirship Certificate Apostille and Attestation
Apostille and embassy attestation for heirship (legal heir) certificates and succession certificates, to claim bank accounts, insurance, salary dues and property of a deceased family member abroad.
Heirship certificate apostille: quick answer
Heirship certificate apostille is the stamp the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) puts on your Indian heirship certificate so that it is accepted in Hague Convention countries. On our route the heirship certificate is notarised in New Delhi, verified by the SDM office and then apostilled by the MEA, which charges a government fee of ₹50 per document.
For the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and other non-Hague countries the apostille is not accepted. There you need Heirship certificate attestation: notary, SDM, MEA attestation and then the embassy stamp.
Looking for Legal heir certificate apostille without travelling to Delhi? Courier the original to our New Delhi office; we complete every stage and courier it back. A WhatsApp photo gets you a written quote first.
Why a heirship certificate needs an apostille or attestation
When a family member who worked or invested abroad passes away, the employer, bank or insurer abroad will release dues only to the legal heirs. They ask for proof of who the heirs are, which in India is a legal heir certificate from the revenue authority or a succession certificate from a court.
That proof needs to be legalised in India before it is used abroad: an MEA apostille for Hague countries, or MEA attestation and embassy legalisation for the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and other non-Hague countries, where many such claims arise.
End-of-service dues
Gulf employers releasing final settlements.
Bank accounts
Closing or transferring a deceased person’s account.
Insurance claims
Policies held abroad.
Property abroad
Transfer of assets to heirs.
Heirship certificate apostille: step-by-step process
The destination country decides which of these two routes your heirship certificate takes.
Apostille for Hague Convention countries
- 1Notary, New DelhiA New Delhi notary attests the original heirship certificate.
- 2SDM verificationThe Sub-Divisional Magistrate confirms the notary.
- 3MEA apostilleThe MEA fixes the apostille sticker (₹50 government fee per document).
Hague Convention countries
Full member list: HCCH Apostille Convention status table
Attestation for the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and other non-Hague countries
- 1NotaryThe heirship certificate is notarised in New Delhi.
- 2SDMThe SDM office checks the notary.
- 3MEA attestationThe MEA attests the document.
- 4Embassy legalisationThe destination country’s embassy legalises it.
Non-Hague countries
Documents required for Heirship certificate attestation
- Original legal heir certificate from the revenue authority, or a certified copy of the succession certificate from the court
- Death certificate of the deceased, which is usually legalised with it
- Copy of your passport, front and back pages
- Authorisation letter, signed (format sent on WhatsApp)
- Where and why the document will be used
Heirship certificate apostille charges and time
| MEA apostille (government fee) | ₹50 per document |
|---|---|
| MEA attestation (for embassy route) | No MEA fee for normal attestation |
| INFINITYGRO service, apostille | Usually ₹1,000–₹1,500 per document |
| Embassy legalisation | Depends on the country; quoted in writing |
| Courier | Extra, both ways |
| Time | Expected date confirmed in your written quote |
The MEA counts documents one by one, so plan exactly how many legalised copies the foreign authority needs. More services: apostille page.
Tips before sending your heirship certificate
- Claims abroad usually need the death certificate legalised as well; send both in one courier.
- Check whether the foreign authority wants a legal heir certificate or a court succession certificate; they are different documents.
- Names of all heirs should match their passports; spelling differences cause delays in claims.
Official links for heirship certificate apostille and attestation
Rules change from time to time. These government and official pages are the primary sources we follow:
FAQs: Heirship certificate apostille and attestation
How do I get my heirship certificate apostilled by the Ministry of External Affairs?
There are three steps: notary attestation in New Delhi, SDM verification of the notary, and the MEA apostille. You do not need to visit Delhi; courier the heirship certificate to our office and we handle each stage and return it by courier.
What are the charges for Heirship certificate apostille?
The MEA charges a government fee of ₹50 per document for an apostille. Our service charge for Heirship certificate apostille is usually ₹1,000–₹1,500 per document, and courier is extra. Embassy attestation for the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and other countries costs more and is quoted per country. You always get a written quote first.
What is the difference between a legal heir certificate and a succession certificate?
A legal heir certificate is issued by the revenue authority (such as the Tehsildar) and lists the heirs. A succession certificate is issued by a civil court and authorises collection of debts and securities. Foreign authorities may ask for either.
What documents are required for Heirship certificate attestation?
For Heirship certificate attestation we need the original heirship certificate, your passport copy (front and back pages) and a signed authorisation letter. Please also say where and why you will use it.
What is the process for Heirship certificate attestation for the UAE, Qatar or Kuwait?
The UAE, Qatar and Kuwait do not accept the apostille, so the heirship certificate is attested in four stages: a New Delhi notary, the SDM, the MEA and finally the embassy of the country concerned. In the UAE, the foreign ministry adds one more stamp locally.
Do I need the death certificate legalised too?
Almost always. Claims abroad need proof of death and proof of who the heirs are.
How long does Heirship certificate apostille take?
An apostille is quicker than embassy attestation, because there is no embassy queue. The exact time depends on the SDM and MEA workload; your written quote gives an expected date, and WhatsApp updates follow each stage.
Apostille or attestation: which one does my heirship certificate need?
It depends on the country where you will use the heirship certificate. Hague Convention countries, such as Saudi Arabia, Oman, Germany, Italy, the UK and Australia, accept the MEA apostille. Non-Hague countries, such as the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and China, need MEA attestation followed by embassy legalisation.
What does a heirship certificate need for a claim in the UAE?
MEA attestation, UAE embassy legalisation and then the UAE ministry stamp in the UAE.
Is INFINITYGRO genuine, and do I need to visit Delhi for my heirship certificate?
INFINITYGRO is a document facilitation agency in New Ashok Nagar, Delhi. We give a written quote, explain each stamp and return originals by tracked courier, with WhatsApp updates at every stage. We do not offer pickup; clients courier the heirship certificate to our office or drop it in person. Call or WhatsApp +91-8595558517.
Send your heirship certificate for apostille or attestation
WhatsApp a photo of the heirship certificate and tell us the destination country. You get the route, the documents list and a written quote before you courier anything.
Office: C – 5 A/2 New Ashok Nagar, Delhi – 110096 · Monday to Saturday, 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Apostille for other personal documents
Disclaimer: INFINITYGRO is a private document facilitation service, not a government authority. Apostilles are issued only by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, and embassy legalisation is done by the respective embassies. Procedures and fees change from time to time; please confirm current rules with the receiving authority.