A legal heir certificate is a document that confirms the heir's identity to a deceased person or the surviving family members of the dead. Generally, these certificates are issued by Revenue Mandal Officers. 

In this article, we will learn about some of the important aspects of a legal heir certificate in Odisha.

The uses of a legal heir certificate are mentioned below: 

• Money Withdrawal: It is very much necessary to withdraw the deceased's money from any kind of financial institution. 
• Property Transfer: The chief purpose of applying for a legal heir certificate is to claim and inherit the deceased's property.
• Governmental Benefits: If the deceased person was a government employee, the legal heir certificate is required for the following: 
  • Claiming Pension.
  • Claiming PF.
  • Arrears and Salaries.
  • Claiming Insurances. 
  • Claiming retirement benefits.
• Transfers: All the bills and taxes of the house, along with the bank account, need the legal heir certificate to get transferred to the legal heir.

You may also like Digit's Property Insurance plans and policy.

The following people are eligible to apply for a legal heir certificate in Odisha: 

• Spouse of the deceased 
• Children of the deceased 
• Parents of the deceased 
• Siblings of the deceased

The application for a legal heir certificate in Odisha can be made Online and Offline. Let’s look at both of them step-by-step: 

1. Online Process

• Step 1: Visit the e-service website of the Odisha government. 
• Step 2: Under the Services tab, contact the legal heir.
• Step 3: Another page will open up with a tab named Application Form. Click here and fill in all the necessary details. 
• Step 4: Upload the mentioned documents within the proper size range. 
• Step 5: Submit the application form and make the payment. After that, you will receive a text message confirming the same on your registered mobile number. 

2. Offline Process

• Step 1: Visit the nearest CSC centre. 
• Step 2: Get hold of an application form and fill in the necessary details on the form. 
• Step 3: Attach all the documents that are required. 
• Step 4: Submit the application form. 
• Step 5: Make the payment. 
• Step 6: The kiosk operator will issue a receipt using the application number and the applicant will receive a text message confirming the same. 

Note: Akshaya Centres only apply to the state of Kerala and not Odisha. 

The applicant must have the following documents to apply for a legal heir certificate in Odisha: 

• Aadhaar Card
• Ration Card
• Copy of Postal Pass
• Death Certificate
• The first page of the service if the deceased was a government employee
• Copy of final settlement agreement 
• Retirement documents (If any)
• Any kind of supporting documents
• Residential Certificate
• Copy of insurance company’s policy bond

After obtaining the proclamation and verification by the  Revenue official, the legal heir certificate can be downloaded. If you have applied for the legal heir certificate through a CSC centre, you need to provide them with your application number, and they will get your certificate downloaded from the same website from which you have applied.  

If you want to download them yourself, follow the following steps: 

• Step 1: Use your credentials and log in to the Odisha government’s registered e-service.
• Step 2: Click on the Services menu on the left side and then click on legal heir. 
• Step 3: A different page with all your details will open before you.
• Step 4: Now, near the “Check Status” option, you will get the download option and are ready. 

The digitally signed legal heir certificate can be used for the abovementioned purposes. 

Succession certificates are legal proofs for the successors of a deceased person who is required to claim certain rights and movable goods. A person should have full knowledge about it before taking any action as it is of utmost significance.