Everything You Need to Know About NADRA Succession Certificate Fees in 2024

Introduction to the NADRA Succession Certificate

A Nadra Succession Certificate issued by NADRA is a legal document that proves the rightful heirs to a deceased person’s assets, such as bank accounts, property, and insurance.

This certificate is crucial in cases where the deceased did not leave a will, and it helps ensure the smooth distribution of their assets to their legal heirs.

The importance of obtaining a succession certificate in Pakistan cannot be overstated. Without this document, the legal heirs might face delays or even disputes in claiming their inheritance.

NADRA has streamlined the process, making it easier for families to obtain this certificate without needing to go through the courts. This system helps reduce the burden on the judiciary while providing a faster, more efficient solution for families during challenging times​.

Why is it Important?

1. Establishes Legal Heirs: The certificate officially identifies the legal heirs, ensuring that the rightful individuals receive the assets.
2. Prevents Disputes: Legally documenting the heirs, helps prevent family disputes regarding asset distribution.
3. Required for Asset Transfer: It is needed for transferring bank accounts, property ownership, insurance claims, and other movable or immovable assets of the deceased.

By obtaining a Succession Certificate, families can secure their legal rights and ensure a smooth transition of the deceased’s estate to the rightful heirs.

What is a Succession Certificate?

A Succession Certificate is a legal document issued by the government (specifically by NADRA in Pakistan) that grants the legal heirs of a deceased individual the right to inherit and manage the deceased’s movable property.

This property can include assets such as bank accounts, bonds, shares, securities, and insurance claims. The certificate is necessary when the deceased has not left behind a formal will outlining how their assets should be distributed.

Why is a Succession Certificate Important?

• Legal Ownership: It provides legal proof of ownership for heirs, allowing them to manage and access the deceased’s assets.
• Asset Transfer: Without a succession certificate, heirs may face significant delays in transferring assets, as banks and financial institutions require this document to release funds.
• Preventing Disputes: It helps avoid family disputes by officially identifying the legal heirs entitled to the deceased’s property.

When and Why is a Succession Certificate Needed?

The certificate is required whenever there are movable assets (such as bank deposits, shares, or insurance policies) to be transferred to the deceased’s heirs. It is especially important when no will is in place, ensuring that the legal heirs can claim the assets without any legal complications.

In summary, the Succession Certificate is a critical document that ensures the smooth transfer of movable assets to the rightful heirs, providing them with the legal authority to manage the deceased’s financial and property matters.

NADRA Succession Certificate Fee (2024)

When applying for a NADRA Succession Certificate, there is a specific fee structure based on the value of the deceased’s assets. Here is a simple breakdown of the current fees:

1. Assets worth more than PKR 100,000: The fee is PKR 20,000 for obtaining the succession certificate.
2. Assets worth less than PKR 100,000: The fee is PKR 10,000.
3. Duplicate Certificate Fee: If you need a duplicate certificate (in case of loss or modification), there is an additional fee of PKR 5,000.

These fees are applicable for both movable and immovable assets and are charged when you apply for a new or duplicate certificate. In cases where there is a need for amendments or modifications, the same fee of PKR 5,000 applies​.

Example of NADRA Succession Certificate Fees

Court Rulings Impacting Fees

Recently, a court ruling temporarily prohibited NADRA from charging these fees in some cases, particularly where applications are declined or where other specific circumstances apply. This ruling may affect the final amount you are charged, and further decisions are pending.

How to Apply for a Succession Certificate

Applying for a NADRA Succession Certificate involves several important steps to ensure that the legal heirs of a deceased individual can claim their inheritance smoothly. Here is a simple, step-by-step guide to the process:

1. Application Initiation

The applicant (any legal heir of the deceased) must start by submitting their CNIC number, the deceased’s death certificate, and other necessary details through NADRA’s online platform or by visiting a registration centre. This will initiate the application​.

2. Details of the Deceased and Legal Heirs

Next, you will need to provide details about the deceased, including their CNIC, and list all legal heirs. Information about the deceased’s movable and immovable assets (e.g., bank accounts, securities, land) is also required. You will specify the relationship between each legal heir and the deceased​.

3. Biometric Verification and Consensus

All legal heirs must visit a NADRA centre for biometric verification to confirm their identities and give their consent for the issuance of the certificate. This step ensures there are no disputes among the heirs regarding the distribution of assets​.

4. Public Notice and Waiting Period

NADRA will then issue a public notice in widely circulated newspapers (in Urdu and English) to allow for any objections from the public. The waiting period for objections is usually 14 days. If no objections are received, the process will move forward​.

5. Final Issuance of the Certificate

After the objection period has passed, NADRA will proceed with the printing and issuance of the succession certificate, which will be handed over to the applicant. The certificate includes security features to prevent fraud and is legally recognized for asset transfer.

Example of the Application Process

By following these steps, legal heirs can obtain a NADRA Succession Certificate to access and manage the deceased person’s assets without going through the court system, making it a much faster and more efficient process.

Documents Required for a Succession Certificate

When applying for a NADRA Succession Certificate in Pakistan, you need to provide certain documents that verify the identity of the deceased and the legal heirs. These documents are essential to process the certificate application smoothly.

List of Necessary Documents:

1. Death Certificate of the Deceased
   This document confirms that the individual has passed away and is necessary for initiating the succession process.
2. Family Registration Certificate (FRC)
   The FRC, issued by NADRA, shows the family tree, listing all the legal heirs of the deceased. It is required to ensure that the right individuals claim the inheritance.
3. CNIC Copies of All Legal Heirs
   The CNIC (Computerized National Identity Card) copies of all legal heirs must be provided to verify their identities and their relationship to the deceased.
4. Details of Assets
   A list of both movable and immovable assets (like bank accounts, properties, and vehicles) is required. These details help in determining how the deceased’s assets should be distributed among the legal heirs.

Example of Required Documents

These documents are submitted either through NADRA facilitation centres or online as part of the application process. Ensuring that all documents are in order helps avoid delays or issues in processing the certificate.

Tracking the Status of a Succession Certificate

After you have applied for a NADRA Succession Certificate, it’s essential to track the progress to know when your certificate will be ready.

NADRA offers simple ways to track the status of your application using either their online portal or SMS services.

How to Track the Progress of Your Application

1. Online Tracking via NADRA’s Website
   You can log into NADRA’s official Succession Certificate portal to check the current status of your application. Simply visit the website, enter your application ID, and you will be able to see the progress and any pending steps in the process. This is especially useful for applicants who prefer checking the status from the comfort of their home​.
2. SMS Tracking Using Your Application ID
   NADRA also provides an SMS tracking service. You can send your application tracking ID to 8400, and you will receive a reply with the current status of your succession certificate. This service is fast and convenient for those who may not have access to the internet.

Example of Tracking Methods

These methods ensure you stay updated on the status of your application without needing to visit NADRA offices.

Importance of Succession Certificates

A Succession Certificate is a vital legal document in Pakistan that helps legal heirs access and manage the deceased person’s assets, particularly when there is no will.

It plays an important role in various legal and financial processes, ensuring that the rightful heirs can claim the deceased’s property without unnecessary complications. Here are the key reasons why a succession certificate is crucial:

1. Bank Account Access

The succession certificate allows heirs to access the deceased’s bank accounts, ensuring a smooth transfer of funds. Without it, banks cannot legally release any money to the heirs, which can lead to financial delays.

2. Transfer of Movable and Immovable Property

When dealing with properties such as land, vehicles, or securities, the certificate is required to legally transfer ownership from the deceased to their heirs. This ensures that the rightful people can take possession of and manage these assets​.

3. Insurance and Pension Claims

For heirs to claim insurance payouts, retirement funds, or pensions left by the deceased, a succession certificate is needed. It serves as proof of entitlement, allowing them to receive these benefits without legal hurdles​.

Example of Importance

Obtaining a succession certificate is a necessary step to ensure the smooth transition of the deceased’s estate to their rightful heirs, avoiding disputes and delays.

Recent Updates and Court Rulings on NADRA Fees

Recently, the Sindh High Court issued an important ruling regarding NADRA’s succession certificate fees. The court temporarily prohibited NADRA from charging the usual fees for inheritance and succession certificates, which had previously been as high as PKR 22,000.

This decision came after petitioners challenged the fee, arguing that NADRA was unjustly charging for services even when applications were declined.

The court noted that such fees should only be applicable for successful services provided by NADRA, like issuing a CNIC or family registration certificate, and not for rejected applications.

This ruling significantly impacts applicants, as it removes a financial burden for those seeking inheritance certificates. However, NADRA may continue charging formal processing fees similar to those charged for CNICs and other essential documents.

This ruling is pending further review, with additional clarifications expected in upcoming hearings. Until then, NADRA has been instructed to halt its fee charges for succession certificates unless further services are involved.

Example of Court Rulings Impact

This court decision brings financial relief to many applicants, especially those seeking to claim family inheritance through NADRA. Further updates will clarify any long-term changes to the fee structure​.

Conclusion

In summary, obtaining a Nadra succession certificate is crucial for ensuring the smooth distribution of a deceased person’s assets, especially when no will has been left behind.

This legal document allows the rightful heirs to access and manage the deceased’s bank accounts, property, insurance, and other movable assets without lengthy legal complications.

By applying for the succession certificate through NADRA, you can avoid the delays and complexities of going through court processes.

NADRA has streamlined the application procedure, making it much faster and more accessible for families to secure their inheritance without burdening the judicial system. This not only saves time but also ensures that the rightful heirs receive their inheritance on time.

Example Table of Benefits

Applying for a succession certificate through NADRA ensures that families can focus on inheritance matters quickly and efficiently, without the need for prolonged legal proceedings​.