A legal heir could be all of these close relatives of a deceased person. They could be the Parents, Spouse, Siblings or Children of the deceased person.

• Family pension: The legal heirs of the deceased requires a legal heir certificate to process family pension.
• Employment purpose: Legal heirs can get employment in matters of compassionate appointment (appointments to Govt.) through legal heir certificate.
• Receive salary arrears of deceased: Legal heir certificate is used for the purpose of receiving any salary arrears (applicable only on state/central government employees).
• Receiving of any kind of pending dues: Legal heir certificate is used for the purpose of receiving any kind of dues of the deceased person, such as gratuity, provident fund, etc. from the government.
• Transfer of assets, properties and claiming any insurance: Legal heir certificate is essential for the purpose of transferring property or assets along with claim over any insurance of the deceased person.

STEP 1: A legitimate heir should approach the area/ taluk Tehsildar and fill the application form with basic details:

1. Name of all the legal heirs along with their relation with the deceased person
2. Address of family members
3. Death certificate of the deceased person received from municipality or corporation
4. An affidavit for self-undertaking
5. Self-attested copy of required documents

STEP 2: The application form is stamped and submitted.

STEP 3: Further, inquiry/ inspection will be conducted by a revenue inspector or an administrative officer.

STEP 4: After successful completion of the inquiry, the court will grant a legal heir certificate.

Generally, the whole procedure takes maximum 30 working days to grant the certificate. In case of any unnecessary delay the applicant can approach to Sub Collector or Revenue Division Officer.