How to Get Surviving Member Certificate in India?

Surviving member certificate or legal heir certificate is a certificate provided by the Revenue Department of the State to identify the legal heirs of a deceased person. This certificate involves the details like the name, age, relationship with the dead person.

Who All Are Entitled to Surviving Member Certificate?

• Individual who is a citizen of India.
• Class I legal heir under the Hindu Succession Act.
• If no Class I legal heir, then other heirs as per the Hindu Succession Act.

Purpose of Surviving Member Certificate

• To obtain ownership/right in immovable property.
• For transferring or selling assets of the deceased person.
• To claim insurance in the name of the deceased.
• To prove the relationship between the legal heir and deceased.
• To obtain benefits relating to government welfare schemes.
• To receive a pension, provident fund, gratuity in the name of the deceased.

Documents Required

The legal heir is required to apply before the concerned Tehsildar office to obtain surviving member certificate. In Delhi, a legal heir can apply before the concerned SDM/Tehsildar of their area to procure a surviving member certificate. Documents required to be submitted are:

• Application form filled and signed by the legal heir.
• Identity proof of the applicant and all the surviving family members (Aadhaar Card, PAN card, Voter ID, Passport, Driving Licence, etc.)
• Present and permanent address proof of the applicant (Aadhaar Card, PAN card, electricity bill, Passport, Voter ID, water bill, Driving License, ration card, rent agreement, etc.)
• Death certificate of the deceased person.
• Duly signed self-declaration form along with the application.
• One passport-sized coloured photograph of the applicant and all the surviving members.
• Any other document sought by the issuing authority.

Note: Applicant must submit the self-attested copy of all the original documents.