Heirs in Malaysia can obtain a succession certificate from the Indian district court without travelling. The petition lists the deceased's debts and securities and the legal heirs. Heirs in Malaysia sign consents or no-objection affidavits before a Malaysian notary, authenticated at Wisma Putra and attested by the High Commission of India. The court publishes notice, hears objections and grants the certificate, which banks and companies then honour.
- Document route
- Malaysian notary public, then Wisma Putra authentication and attestation by the High Commission of India, Kuala Lumpur
- Time difference
- Malaysia is 2h30 ahead of IST all year
- Law
- Part X, Indian Succession Act 1925
- Court
- District Judge where the deceased lived
Succession Certificate from Malaysia: how it works
We gather the death certificate, details of the deposits, shares and other securities, and a family tree under the applicable succession law, often the Hindu Succession Act 1956 for Tamil Hindu families. Heirs in Malaysia sign affidavits and consents, which pass through the notary, Wisma Putra and High Commission chain before being couriered. Where the deceased was in Malaysia and the death was registered there, the Malaysian death certificate is also attested and translated if it is in Malay.
The petition is filed in the district court where the deceased lived or the assets are. The court issues a citation, publishes notice and waits for objections. It may require an indemnity bond and surety. Court fee is a percentage of the asset value set by the state. Once granted, the certificate is presented to banks and companies. In Tamil Nadu, the Tahsildar's legal heir certificate is a separate revenue document, often used for land and smaller claims, and does not replace a succession certificate for larger securities.
What clients in Malaysia should know
- Banks in India sometimes release small deposits on indemnity without a succession certificate, so we check with the bank before filing a petition.
- A surety for the indemnity bond normally has to be someone in India with property, which Malaysian families should arrange early.
- Heirs who are Malaysian citizens can receive the proceeds in an NRO account and repatriate them within the annual limit after Forms 15CA and 15CB.
Step by step from Malaysia
Video consultation
A call at a time that suits Malaysia, after we have read your documents.
Documents signed in Malaysia
Malaysian notary public, then Wisma Putra authentication and attestation by the High Commission of India, Kuala Lumpur
Work in India
Our team files, appears and follows up in India, and shares scans of everything filed.
Result and handover
Certified copies and originals are couriered to you in Malaysia where needed.
The full guide
This page covers what changes when you are in Malaysia. For the law, the documents and the step-by-step procedure, read our main page on Succession Certificate, or see all services for clients in Malaysia and the Inheritance & Documents practice area.
Questions from clients in Malaysia
Is a Tamil Nadu legal heir certificate the same as a succession certificate?
No. The legal heir certificate is issued by the Tahsildar and identifies heirs for administrative purposes. A succession certificate is a court document needed for many bank deposits and securities.
Can one heir apply for all heirs?
Yes, with the consent of the others. Heirs in Malaysia sign no-objection affidavits through the attestation chain.
How long does it take?
An uncontested petition often takes a few months, depending on the court's workload and the notice period.