How do I apply for a legal heir certificate in Tamil Nadu?

Apply online through the TN e-Sevai portal under Revenue Department, or at the Taluk office. Log in with your CAN, select the Legal Heir Certificate service, upload the death certificate, proof of relationship, ID and address proof, pay the fee and submit. The Tahsildar verifies the family details before issuing it, usually within about 15 to 30 days.

What documents are needed for a legal heir certificate?

You need the death certificate of the deceased, proof of relationship with the deceased (such as birth or marriage certificate or ration card), identity proof and address proof of the applicant, and a self-declaration or affidavit if required.

Legal Heir (Varisu) Certificate Tamil Nadu 2026 — Apply Online, Documents & Uses

Q: What is a Varisu certificate?

Varisu certificate is the Tamil name for a legal heir certificate. It officially lists the surviving legal heirs of a deceased person and is used to claim pensions, insurance, provident fund, bank balances and to transfer property records.

Q: What is the difference between a legal heir certificate and a succession certificate?

A legal heir certificate is issued by the revenue authorities and is used for pensions, PF, insurance and simple transfers. A succession certificate is issued by a civil court and is needed for movable assets like shares, debts and larger claims where the bank or institution insists on a court order.

Updated for 2026 · For Tamil Nadu residents. General information — confirm current rules with your Taluk office.

Quick answer: A legal heir certificate (Tamil: Varisu certificate) lists the surviving heirs of a person who has died, and is used to claim their pension, insurance, PF, bank balance and to transfer property records. Apply at the e-Sevai portal (Revenue Department) or the Taluk office with the death certificate, proof of relationship and ID. The Tahsildar verifies the family and issues it, usually in about 15–30 days.

Key takeaways

Varisu certificate = legal heir certificate — lists the deceased's heirs.
Used for pension, insurance, PF, bank claims, property transfer.
Apply on e-Sevai (Revenue Dept) or at the Taluk office.
Key document: the death certificate + proof of relationship.
Issued after Tahsildar/VAO enquiry, usually 15–30 days.

What a legal heir (Varisu) certificate is

When a person dies, their family often needs an official document naming the legal heirs before institutions will release money or transfer assets. In Tamil Nadu this is the legal heir certificate — commonly called the Varisu certificate. It's issued by the revenue authorities (Tahsildar) and is one of the first things to arrange after a death, because so many claims depend on it.

What it's used for

Claiming family/service pension of a deceased government employee
Releasing insurance, PF, gratuity and other terminal benefits
Closing or transferring the deceased's bank accounts and deposits
Mutation — transferring property/patta records to the heirs

Documents you need

Death certificate of the deceased
Proof of relationship (ration card, birth/marriage certificate)
Identity proof and address proof of the applicant
Details of all legal heirs (names, ages, relationship)
Self-declaration / affidavit, if asked

How to apply — step by step

Get the death certificate first (from the local body) — nothing moves without it.
Go to tnesevai.tn.gov.in, log in with your CAN, open Revenue Department and select the Legal Heir Certificate service (or apply at the Taluk office).
Enter the deceased's and all heirs' details and upload the documents.
Pay the fee and submit; keep the acknowledgement number.
A VAO/Revenue Inspector does a field enquiry to confirm the heirs; the Tahsildar then issues the certificate, usually within 15–30 days.

Legal heir certificate vs succession certificate

They're not the same. A legal heir certificate (from revenue authorities) covers pensions, PF, insurance and routine transfers. A succession certificate is issued by a civil court and is needed for movable assets like shares and debts, or when a bank insists on a court order for larger claims. For most families, the legal heir certificate is enough; ask the specific institution what they require.

Related guides

Dealing with a bank account after a death? Read Finance Guided's guide on what happens to a joint account after death. You may also need the Patta & Chitta and Encumbrance Certificate for property transfer, and the income certificate guide.

Frequently asked questions

How do I apply?

On e-Sevai (Revenue Dept) or at the Taluk office, with the death certificate, proof of relationship and ID.

What is a Varisu certificate?

The Tamil name for the legal heir certificate — it lists the deceased's heirs.

What documents are needed?

Death certificate, proof of relationship, applicant ID and address proof.

Legal heir vs succession certificate?

Legal heir (revenue office) for pension/PF/insurance; succession (civil court) for shares/debts and larger claims.

About ComplyKraft. Built by Dinesh Kumar S in Chennai — B.Sc. Mathematics, M.Sc. IT. Plain-language guides and free tools for Tamil Nadu.

Disclaimer: Informational guide, updated 2026. Procedures, documents and timelines are set by the Government of Tamil Nadu and can vary by Taluk — confirm at tnesevai.tn.gov.in or your Taluk office.