The state government of Kerala provides both online and physical methods to obtain a legal heir certificate in Kerala. It is an official document issued by only the Tahsildar or Revenue Officer of the district that helps identify the legal heirs of the property of a deceased.

Here is a comprehensive guide to finding how to apply for this certificate, the documents required in the process and who is eligible to apply for it. So, let’s dig into it.

Here is a step-by-step explanation of how to apply for a legal heir certificate in Kerala online:

Step 1:  Visit the E-District official website of Kerala and complete the registration process.

Step 2: For this purpose, click on an option mentioning ‘New portal/User creation.’

Step 3: This site will require you to fill in personal data like your date of birth, name, address, contact number, Aadhaar card number, and create a password.

Step 4: Next, log in by feeding in your registered credentials.

Step 5: It will redirect to a page where you can choose E-district number, legal heir certificate type, date of purchase and certificate purpose details.

Step 6: After completing the necessaries, click on the ‘Save’ button.

Step 7: The site will require you to upload essential documents of the deceased like his/her death certificate, Aadhaar card, ration card, voter card, and service issue (if applicable).

Step 8: Finally, make your payment to complete your application process.

If you are not comfortable applying for this online process, you can also follow the in-person application process. It is shared down below.

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Follow the below steps to get a clear idea of how to get a legal heir certificate in Kerala in person:

Step 1: Firstly, you must visit the Tahsildar office of your district with the required documents.

Step 2: Next, collect an application form for a legal heir certificate from the office.

Step 3: Fill up all required columns present in this form and affix a stamp of Rs. 2.

Step 4: Attach all the essential documents to support your application and submit it to the office.

Step 5: Your village’s administrative office and revenue officer will conduct a verification process.

Step 6: If no problem arises in this verification process, your reports go to the Tahsildar.

Step 7: Now, he or she decided whether to issue your legal heirship certificate in Kerala or not.

To apply for a legal heir certificate through Akshaya Centres in Kerala, follow the below procedure:

Step 1: Go to the Akshaya Centre of your locality, or you can also apply for the certificate online via Akshaya Service Portal.

Step 2: The site may require you to upload essential documents and your application form. Next, pay applicable fees.

Step 3: After you submit your application, the officials will issue you a receipt, and later the verification process will initiate.

Step 4: You will also get a message on your registered mobile number to track your application status.

Step 5: Once you notice your request is approved, you can visit the authorities to collect your legal heir certificate or print it online.

To obtain a legal heirship certificate in Kerala, you may need to present the following documents:

• Ration card
• Aadhaar Card
• Voter ID
• Death certificate of the deceased
• Service certificate that the HOD of a deceased may issue
• Pension payment slip (if applicable)

If you are in relation with the deceased under any of the following categories, you may be eligible to apply for a legal heir certificate in Kerala:

• Parent
• Siblings
• Child
• Spouse

Follow the below steps if you want to track the status of your legal heir certificate in Kerala online:

Step 1: Visit the online E-district portal of Kerala.

Step 2: You will find a ‘Transaction History’ option on a tab present on the homepage.

Step 3: Select appropriate ‘From date’ and ‘To date’ options and click on ‘Go.’

Step 4: This site will show you various request options. Tap on ‘View status.’

Once you get a request approval notification from the official site, you are free to download your legal heir certificate in Kerala online. Follow the below process for this purpose:

Step 1: Log in to the official E-district site.

Step 2: Follow the same procedure required to check status.

Step 3: Once it shows your status is approved, click on the ‘Print’ option present in the right bottom corner.

The following are the purposes for which you may need to apply for a legal certificate in Kerala:

For Transfers

• Transfer of telephone connection
• Transfer of house tax
• Change the registered bank account name from deceased member to surviving members
• Transfer electricity connection in the name of legal heirs

To Claim Government Benefits

• Pension
• Insurance
• Retirement
• Gratuity
• Provident fund

For Property Transfer

The main purpose of a legal heir certificate is to acquire or inherit the property of a deceased. This official document issued by a state government establishes a legitimate relationship between a deceased and his/her successor on a sudden demise, especially when there is no will to state his/her wish.

The state government of Kerala has established an effortless way to apply for and download a legal certificate in Kerala. Moreover, it has provided both online and offline modes to obtain a legal heir certificate in Kerala. So, you can follow the above process to ensure you make no mistakes in your application. Also, make sure not to provide any false or incorrect details in your form to avoid future discrepancies.