Why Apostille in your legal heir certificate?

In international law, Apostille/Attestation is the process of certifying a document so a foreign country’s legal system will recognize it.

• Understand the Purpose: First, understand why you need the legal heir certificate. It’s crucial for legally claiming and managing inheritance assets like property and bank accounts in India, especially when dealing with cross-border inheritance issues.
• Succession Certificate: If you’re an NRI (Non-Resident Indian), a succession certificate is essential. It establishes the legitimacy of heirs and gives them authority to access movable assets (such as bank accounts, investments, etc.) of the deceased person.
• Legal Heir Certificate: A legal heir certificate recognizes rightful heirs to a deceased person’s estate. It’s crucial for accessing inherited assets. Ensure that the names, ages, and relationships of all legal heirs are explicitly described in the certificate.
  
• Attestation/Apostille: If you plan to use these certificates abroad, consider getting them attested or apostilled. This process verifies their credibility and authenticity in another country.
  
• The most important attestation for a legal heir certificate is the Govt authority’s signature and seal. This ensures the document’s authenticity and validity. Additionally, if you plan to use the certificate abroad, consider getting it notarized by an approved body and attested by SDM and apostilled by MEA to verify its credibility internationally.