Applying for a certificate of sole inheritance on the basis of a will

You must apply for a certificate of sole inheritance at the competent probate court (local court):

• Submit an informal application for a certificate of sole inheritance there and attach all the necessary documents to your letter.
• Alternatively, you can submit the application via an authorized person, such as a notary public or a lawyer, or make a statement to the court for the record.
• Make an affidavit in person before the local court or before a notary. In doing so, you confirm that you are not aware of anything that contradicts the accuracy of the information you have provided in the application for a certificate of inheritance.
  • This is not necessary if the local court waives this requirement.
  • If a notary notarizes the declaration in lieu of an oath, this person can also notarize the application for a certificate of inheritance.
• The local court will check your entitlement and issue the certificate of inheritance.

• Justizportal des Bundes und der Länder: Orts- und Gerichtsverzeichnis

• Justizportal des Bundes und der Länder: Orts- und Gerichtsverzeichnis

You can only apply for a sole heir certificate if you are the sole heir.

• Identity card or passport
• Death certificate of the deceased person, i.e. the testator
• Information on whether there is a lawsuit regarding your inheritance rights
• Proof of why certain persons who would actually be (co-)heirs are not heirs, for example:
  • Death certificates
  • Declarations of inheritance
  • Declarations of renunciation of inheritance
• Wills or inheritance contracts or at least the details thereof, for example in the case of special official safekeeping
• for married couples: proof of matrimonial property regime, if applicable
• in the case of registered civil partnerships: proof of assets, if applicable

• The amount of the fees depends on the value of the estate after deduction of the deceased's debts.
• The issuing of a sole certificate of inheritance by the probate court costs, for example
  • for an estate value of EUR 30,000 EUR 125.00,
  • EUR 273.00 for an estate value of EUR 100,000 and
  • EUR 935.00 for an estate value of EUR 500,000.
• In addition, you must pay fees of the same amount for the notarization of an affidavit at the probate court or with a notary. You may also have to pay writing expenses and VAT.

You do not have to meet any deadlines.

• §§ 2353 bis 2370 Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB)
• §§ 352 bis 352e des Gesetzes über das Verfahren in Familiensachen und in den Angelegenheiten der freiwilligen Gerichtsbarkeit (FamFG)

• Appeal
• Application for revocation of the certificate of inheritance

Forms:
Online procedure possible:
Written form required: no
Personal appearance required:

• for application: no
• for declaration in lieu of an oath: yes

15.11.2021

The text was automatically translated based on the German content.