Which court has jurisdiction to grant a succession certificate?

Under §371 of the Indian Succession Act 1925, the District Judge of the district where the deceased ordinarily resided at the time of death has primary jurisdiction. If the deceased had no fixed place of residence in India, the District Judge of any district where any part of the property of the deceased may be found has jurisdiction. The petition is filed under §372 and the certificate is issued under §373 after the §373(1) public-notice period (usually 30–45 days).

Does a succession certificate cover immovable property such as a flat or land?

No. A succession certificate is granted only in respect of DEBTS and SECURITIES — bank deposits, provident-fund balances, shares, debentures, insurance maturity, etc. For immovable property (flat, land, house), the correct remedy is a letters-of-administration / probate (if there is a will) under §218–§291, OR a partition / declaration suit in the civil court establishing succession. Mixing the two in one petition is a common mistake and leads to return of the petition.

I am a nominee on the bank account — do I still need a succession certificate?

A nominee receives the money from the bank but does NOT become the owner. The Supreme Court in Shipra Sengupta v Mridul Sengupta (2009) 10 SCC 680 held that a nominee holds the funds IN TRUST for the legal heirs. If there are multiple heirs, they can call upon the nominee to distribute as per the personal law of succession. A succession certificate is the simplest court instrument to compel that distribution where the nominee refuses or where the bank itself asks for one.

Inheritance & Succession

Succession Certificate — §372 Indian Succession Act 1925

A loved one has passed away leaving bank balances, FDs, shares, etc. Banks refuse to release money without a court certificate. Apply under §372 Indian Succession Act 1925.

§372 ISA 1925 District Judge Bilingual EN + HI

1. Pick the petitioner's relationship to the deceased

2. Fill petitioner + deceased details

3. Your draft petition

When you need a succession certificate (and when you don't)

✅ Needed for

Bank balances without nomination · FDs · shares · MFs · PF · gratuity.

❌ NOT needed for

Joint accounts · nominated accounts · immovable property.

Timeline + cost

45-day public notice + 3-6 months total. Fee 2-3% of value.

⚠️ Covers debts and securities only — not immovable property. For Will-based succession use Probate.

Succession Certificate — §372 Indian Succession Act 1925

1. Pick the petitioner's relationship to the deceased

Spouse

Son / daughter

Parent

Sibling

Grandchild

Other / specify