Apply for a European Certificate of Succession
An official certificate from the probate court confirming heir status when there is no notarized will.
Wo wohnen Sie?
Damit wir Apply for a European Certificate of Succession mit dem zuständigen Nachlassgericht in Ihrer Stadt anzeigen können.
Oder Großstadt wählen:
Sie werden zur geführten Suche weitergeleitet – mit Kontaktdaten, Termin und nächsten Schritten für Apply for a European Certificate of Succession.
Quick answer
- 1
Documents you need
Death certificate of the decedent · Proof of kinship
- 2
Responsible authority
The authority of your main residence
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How to do it
In person or by post at the office
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Costs
Varies by case
How to proceed
- 1
File a petition with the probate court (local court)
In person with an affidavit or notarized.
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Submit documents
Death certificate, proof of kinship, will, or inheritance agreement.
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Obtain a certificate of inheritance
Fees are based on the value of the estate.
Responsible authority
The authority of your main place of residence is responsible.Find authority →
The essentials before applying
Who is eligible?
Heirs who must prove their status as heirs to banks, government agencies, or the land registry.
Income limit
Processing time
Nationwide: approx. approx. 4 weeks
Success rate
approx. 90.0 % (estimate)
Most common mistakes
- •Application filed with the wrong court (jurisdiction: the decedent’s last place of residence)
- •Death certificate not certified
Common reasons for rejection
- •Conflicting Interpretations of a Will
- •No other heirs are known or the situation is unclear
Alternatives
- Check related services in the application assistant
- Use social counselling before applying
If rejected
File a written objection within 30 days – with reasons why the decision is wrong and any missing evidence.
Related services
Questions & Answers
How much does it cost to apply for a European Certificate of Succession?▼
10–80 € depending on the certificate/procedure.
How long does it take to apply for a European Certificate of Succession?▼
Typically about 28 business days—depending on the agency and its workload.
Freshness & source
- Maintenance
- Continuously reviewed & updated
- Source
- Bundesamt für Justiz
- Data quality
- 100 %