Legal Heir Certificate in Maharashtra: Online & Offline Process

A legal heir certificate (वारस प्रमाणपत्र) is essential when claiming a deceased person’s assets in Maharashtra. The good news: Maharashtra has one of India’s most digitized systems for obtaining this certificate.

This guide covers both online and offline processes, specific to Maharashtra.

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What Is a Legal Heir Certificate?

A legal heir certificate officially identifies the legal heirs of a deceased person. In Maharashtra, it’s issued by the Tehsildar (तहसीलदार).

When You Need It

Purpose	Required?
Bank account claim (no nominee)	Yes
Insurance claim (no nominee)	Yes
Pension/EPF claim	Sometimes
Property mutation	Yes (or succession certificate)
Government dues/arrears	Yes
Transfer of vehicle	Yes

What It’s NOT

• Not a succession certificate (which is from court)
• Not proof of ownership (just identifies heirs)
• Not valid for property partition disputes

Read: Legal Heir vs Succession Certificate

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Online Application: Aaple Sarkar Portal

Maharashtra offers online application through the Aaple Sarkar (आपले सरकार) portal.

Step 1: Register on Portal

1. Visit aaplesarkar.mahaonline.gov.in
2. Click “New User Registration”
3. Enter:
   • Full name
   • Mobile number
   • Email
   • Create password
4. Verify via OTP
5. Login with credentials

Step 2: Find the Service

1. Login to portal
2. Go to Revenue Department (महसूल विभाग)
3. Select Tehsil Services
4. Find “Legal Heir Certificate” (वारस प्रमाणपत्र)
5. Click Apply Online

Step 3: Fill Application Form

Deceased Person’s Details:

• Full name
• Date of death
• Place of death
• Address at time of death
• Religion
• Occupation

Applicant’s Details:

• Your name
• Relationship to deceased
• Address
• Contact number

List of All Legal Heirs:

Name	Relationship	Age	Address
	Wife
	Son
	Daughter
	Father
	Mother

Step 4: Upload Documents

Document	Format	Size Limit
Death certificate	PDF/JPG	2 MB
ID proof (applicant)	PDF/JPG	2 MB
Address proof	PDF/JPG	2 MB
Ration card (showing family)	PDF/JPG	2 MB
Passport photos (all heirs)	JPG	500 KB

Step 5: Pay Fee & Submit

• Fee: ₹50 (approximately)
• Payment: Net banking, debit card, UPI
• Receipt: Save the payment receipt

Step 6: Track Application

• Note your Application Number
• Track status at aaplesarkar.mahaonline.gov.in
• You’ll receive SMS updates

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Offline Application Process

If online isn’t convenient, apply at your local Tehsil office.

Step 1: Get Application Form

• Available at Tehsil office
• Or download from aaplesarkar portal
• Some stationery shops near tehsil have copies

Step 2: Fill the Form

Fill in Marathi or English:

• Deceased’s details
• All heirs’ details
• Applicant’s details
• Declaration

Step 3: Gather Documents

Required Documents:

Document	Copies
Death certificate	2
Applicant’s ID (Aadhaar/Voter ID)	2
Address proof	2
Ration card	2
Passport photos (all heirs)	2 each
Affidavit (on ₹100 stamp paper)	1

Affidavit Should State:

• Your relationship to deceased
• List of all legal heirs
• That information is true
• That no other legal heirs exist

Step 4: Submit at Tehsil

1. Visit Tehsil office (तहसील कार्यालय)
2. Submit to concerned clerk
3. Pay fee (₹50 cash or stamp)
4. Get acknowledgment receipt
5. Note token/application number

Step 5: Verification

The Tehsil office may:

• Verify documents
• Send for field inquiry (local talathi/patwari)
• Ask neighbors/panchas for confirmation
• Call you for clarification

Step 6: Collect Certificate

• Timeline: 15-30 days
• Collect from same Tehsil office
• Bring acknowledgment receipt
• Bring ID proof

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Documents Required (Complete List)

Mandatory Documents

Document	Purpose
Death certificate	Proves death and date
Applicant’s Aadhaar	Identity verification
Applicant’s address proof	Jurisdiction check
Ration card	Shows family members
Passport photos	All heirs (2 each)

Supporting Documents

Document	When Needed
Marriage certificate	If spouse is heir
Birth certificates	For children as heirs
School certificates	Age proof for heirs
Affidavit	Declaration of heirs
NOC from other heirs	If not all applying together

If Documents Missing

Missing Document	Alternative
Death certificate	Apply for it first at municipal office
Ration card	Voter ID showing same address
Marriage certificate	Affidavit + photos

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Fees

Component	Amount
Application fee	₹50
Stamp paper (affidavit)	₹100
Notarization	₹50-100
Photocopies	₹50-100
Total (approximate)	₹200-350

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Timeline

Stage	Time
Online application processing	7-15 days
Offline application processing	15-30 days
If field inquiry needed	Add 7-15 days
If documents incomplete	Add until corrected

Fast-track: Some tehsils offer expedited service for urgent cases (medical, pension).

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Division/District-Wise Information

Mumbai

Jurisdiction	Tehsil Office	Contact
Mumbai City	Collector Office, CST	022-22620831
Mumbai Suburban	Bandra Collector Office	022-26512259

Pune

Jurisdiction	Tehsil Office
Pune City	City Survey Office, Shivajinagar
Pune Rural	Collectorate, Pune
Haveli	Tehsil Office, Haveli

Thane

Jurisdiction	Tehsil Office
Thane	Tehsil Office, Thane
Kalyan	Tehsil Office, Kalyan
Bhiwandi	Tehsil Office, Bhiwandi

Nagpur

Jurisdiction	Tehsil Office
Nagpur Urban	City Tehsil, Nagpur
Nagpur Rural	Tehsil Office, Nagpur

For other districts, contact the District Collectorate.

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Common Issues & Solutions

Issue 1: Application Rejected

Reasons:

• Incomplete documents
• Mismatch in names
• Missing heir in list

Solution:

• Check rejection reason in portal
• Correct the errors
• Resubmit with complete documents

Issue 2: Delay Beyond 30 Days

Action:

• Visit Tehsil office, meet Tehsildar
• File complaint on aaplesarkar portal
• Contact District Collector if needed
• Use public grievance portal (pgportal.gov.in)

Issue 3: Dispute Among Heirs

If heirs disagree:

• Tehsildar won’t issue certificate
• Need to resolve dispute first
• Consider family settlement deed
• May need court intervention

Issue 4: Name Spelling Mismatch

If deceased’s name differs across documents:

• Submit affidavit stating both names are same person
• Provide documents showing both names
• Request name correction if needed

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After Getting the Certificate

Use It For:

1. Bank account claim: Submit to bank with other documents
2. Insurance claim: Submit to insurance company
3. Property mutation: Submit to Tehsil/Municipal office
4. Vehicle transfer: Submit to RTO
5. EPF/pension claim: Submit to employer/EPFO

Get Multiple Copies

• Original + 2-3 photocopies
• Self-attest the copies
• Some institutions want certified copies (from Tehsil)

Validity

• Generally valid indefinitely
• No expiry date
• But fresh certificate may be asked if very old

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Aaple Sarkar Helpline

Service	Contact
Helpline	1800-120-8040 (toll-free)
Portal	aaplesarkar.mahaonline.gov.in
Email	[email protected]

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply online from outside Maharashtra?

Yes, if deceased was Maharashtra resident. Use Aaple Sarkar portal from anywhere.

How long is the certificate valid?

No expiry. But some institutions prefer recent certificates (within 6 months-1 year).

Can one heir apply for all?

Yes. One heir can apply and list all legal heirs. NOC from other heirs may be required.

What if deceased had no family?

If no Class I or II heirs exist, distant relatives or those mentioned in will (if any) may be considered. Complex cases may need legal advice.

Is legal heir certificate same as succession certificate?

No. Legal heir certificate identifies heirs. Succession certificate (from court) gives authority to deal with estate. For bank claims under ₹15 lakh, legal heir certificate usually suffices.

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The Bottom Line

Getting a legal heir certificate in Maharashtra is relatively straightforward thanks to the Aaple Sarkar portal. The online process takes 7-15 days, offline takes 15-30 days.

Key tips:

1. Keep death certificate copies ready (you’ll need many)
2. Ensure all heir names match across documents
3. Use online process if possible (faster)
4. Track your application regularly
5. Follow up at Tehsil if delayed

Once you have the certificate, claiming bank accounts, insurance, and other assets becomes much simpler.