If you need to claim a deceased relative’s bank account, savings, or other movable assets, you likely need a succession certificate — and NADRA now offers a faster alternative to going through civil court for most straightforward cases. Here’s how to get one.
What a Succession Certificate Actually Covers
A NADRA succession certificate is generally used to claim movable assets such as bank accounts, savings, mobile wallet balances, salary arrears, government dues, and in some cases insurance proceeds, depending on the insurer’s own requirements. It does not cover immovable property like land or houses — that still requires a succession certificate from a civil court. Disputed inheritance claims among legal heirs also need to go through civil court rather than NADRA.
Where You Can Apply
NADRA has significantly expanded access to this service. Legal heirs can now apply at any of over 180 designated Succession Certificate Units at NADRA centres nationwide — including Islamabad, Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and Gilgit-Baltistan — regardless of where the inherited property or asset is actually located. Previously, applicants had to file in the specific province where the property was situated.
Documents You’ll Need
- Death certificate from the Union Council or hospital
- The deceased’s last known CNIC
- The deceased’s parents’ CNICs
- Spouse’s CNIC, if applicable
- Children’s CNICs, or B-Forms for minor children
- Family Registration Certificate (FRC)
- Marriage certificate, if applicable
- A completed application form
- An affidavit declaring family relationships and claims (required in some cases)
Step-by-Step Process
- Register the death with NADRA. Take the death certificate to any NADRA Registration Centre to have the deceased’s record updated.
- Make sure every legal heir’s own NADRA registration is current — spouse, children, and any other heirs should have valid CNICs or B-Forms before applying.
- Submit your application and supporting documents at any Succession Certificate Unit.
- Complete biometric verification. This can be done in person at a designated NADRA centre, or remotely from home through the Pak-ID mobile app.
- NADRA verifies the family records, identifies all legal heirs, and calculates each heir’s share according to the applicable personal/inheritance law.
- Receive the certificate and present it to each bank or institution holding the relevant asset — they may require their own additional forms and signatures from all heirs before releasing funds.
What It Costs
Per NADRA’s current fee schedule, the succession certificate costs Rs. 20,000 if the property/asset value is above Rs. 100,000, and Rs. 10,000 if it’s valued below that. Confirm the exact current fee at your NADRA centre before applying, since fee schedules can be revised.
How Long It Takes
- Routine cases: Typically 4–8 weeks
- Complex cases: Can take 8–16 weeks
- Civil court succession (for disputed cases or immovable property): Generally 3–12 months
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a NADRA succession certificate to claim inherited land?
No. NADRA’s succession certificate covers movable assets only. Immovable property like land or a house still requires going through civil court.
Do I have to apply in the same province where the deceased’s assets are located?
No, not anymore. You can now apply at any NADRA Succession Certificate Unit nationwide, regardless of where the property or asset is located.
What if the legal heirs disagree about the inheritance?
Disputed cases need to be resolved through civil court — NADRA’s process is designed for straightforward, undisputed cases among legal heirs.
Can biometric verification be done without visiting a NADRA centre?
Yes, it can also be completed remotely using the Pak-ID mobile app, in addition to the option of visiting a designated centre in person.
Since NADRA’s process is generally faster than civil court and now accessible from any centre nationwide, it’s worth checking first whether your situation qualifies before assuming you need to go through the courts.
