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Which place to enter?

The location is used to determine the responsible office for the selected administrative service. In most cases you can enter your place of residence to find the competent authority. However, there are also cases in which a different location must be specified. Here are some examples:

Birth certificateYou want to get married and need a birth certificate. You live in Hanover, but you were born in Celle. You must therefore state your place of birth, i.e. Celle.

Business registrationYou would like to register a business in Braunschweig. Your place of residence is Hanover. You must therefore state the location of your future business, i.e. Braunschweig.

Apply for a building permitYou would like to build a house in Wunstorf and therefore apply for a building permit. Her place of residence is currently Hanover. You must indicate the place where the house is to be built. In this case it is Wunstorf.

Applying for a restricted certificate of sole inheritance

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A sole heir certificate attests that you are the sole legal successor to the deceased. This is the case if the deceased person has designated you as the sole or universal heir in the will or on the basis of an inheritance contract. Or if you succeed to the estate as the sole heir within the framework of intestate succession because all other co-heirs have renounced the inheritance.

You can also apply to the probate court for a restricted certificate of inheritance. If there is an estate abroad in the form of objects, this certificate of inheritance is limited to the estate located in Germany.

Requirements

  • You are the sole heir
  • You inherit property in Switzerland and abroad.

Applications / forms

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

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

Which documents are required?

  • Identity card or passport
  • Death certificate of the deceased person, i.e. the testator
  • If applicable, documents to document the status as legal heir, for example
    • family register
    • Birth certificates,
    • marriage certificate
  • 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
  • If applicable, submission or details of wills or inheritance contracts
  • for married couples: Proof of the matrimonial property regime
  • for registered civil partnerships: Proof of the state of assets
  • Statement or proof that the estate is located abroad

What are the fees?

  • The amount of the fees depends on the value of the estate in Germany 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.

Process flow

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

  • Submit an informal application there for a certificate of sole inheritance and attach all the necessary documents.
  • Alternatively, you can submit the application
    • via an authorized person, such as a notary or lawyer, or
    • declare it to the court for the record.
  • Make an affidavit in person before the local court or before a notary public. 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.

What deadlines do I have to pay attention to?

You do not have to meet any deadlines.

What else should I know?

Legal basis

Appeal

  • Appeal
  • Application for revocation of the certificate of inheritance

Author

The text was automatically translated based on the German content.

Source: Serviceportal Niedersachsen (Portalverbund des Bundes und der Länder)

Further Links

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Single points of contact of the state of Lower Saxony, Single points of contact of the countries of Europe, advice and assistance for EU citizens and their families.
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