A Legal Heir Certificate is an official document issued by the Odisha government that identifies the rightful successors (legal heirs) of a deceased person. It helps transfer assets, pensions, property, and other rights to the legal heirs.
Succession Certificate Vs Legal Heir Certificate
Succession Certificate
Succession certificate is a legal document, which is governed under the provisions of the Indian Succession Act, 1925. The Revenue Officers will not provide it. Succession certificate can be obtained from Civil Courts in India. This certificate is granted to heirs (family members) of a deceased person who dies without leaving a will. The main objective of obtaining a succession certificate is to facilitate the collection of debt on succession and afford protection to the party paying the debt to the representative of the deceased person. Succession certificate merely allows its holder to collect the debt due to the deceased as a trustee for the other claimant. Succession certificate can be granted for following purposes to which the deceased was entitled:
- Deposits in banks
- Provident fund
- Shares
- Insurance
Legal Heir Certificate
Legal heir certificate is used to determine the appropriate legal heir of a deceased person. This certificate serves to identify the relationship of the heirs to the dead person. As per the rules, if a person dies, family advantages such as pension and property will go to the next legitimate heirs. For availing these benefits, legitimate heirs need to get Legal Heir Certificate.
Why is it Needed?
- Claiming pension, gratuity, or insurance benefits of the deceased
- Transferring property or land ownership
- Accessing bank accounts, shares, or locker
- Applying for a government job on compassionate grounds
- Handling legal or succession matters
Who Can Apply?
- Spouse (Husband or Wife)
- Children (Son/Daughter)
- Parents of the deceased
- Siblings (in some cases, if no immediate family is alive)
Required Documents
- Application Form (filled)
- Death Certificate of the deceased
- Identity proof of the applicant (Aadhaar, Voter ID, etc.)
- Address proof (Utility bill, Aadhaar, etc.)
- Ration Card (if applicable)
- Self-declaration/affidavit
- Other legal heir documents (if any)
How to Apply?
Online Process (via eDistrict Odisha Portal)
- Visit edistrict.odisha.gov.in
- Register/Login with your ID
- Go to “Apply for Services”
- Select “Legal Heir Certificate”
- Fill in the details and upload scanned documents
- Submit the application
- Download the acknowledgment
Offline Process
- Visit your Tahasildar Office or Common Service Center (CSC)
- Submit filled application with required documents
- You’ll receive an acknowledgment
- Certificate is issued after verification
FAQs
Download Legal Heir Certificate?
After proclamation and verification, if the Revenue officer approves the request for legal heir certificate, Odisha Legal heir certificate can be downloaded. Revisit the CSC centre and provide the application number. Get a digitally signed Legal heir certificate.
Applicable Fee?
| S.No | Services | Amount |
| 1 | Service Charges of the kiosk Operator | Rs.8 |
| 2 | Printing Charges | Rs.10 |
| 3 | Scanning Charges | Rs.5 |
| 4 | Certificate Output Charges | Rs.10 |
| 5 | DeGS charges | Rs.2 |
| 6 | The Government fees and User charges | Rs.30 |