Switzerland - Obtain Certificate of Inheritance

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Procedure

1. Prepare the following documents:
   1. a copy of the death certificate (available from the civil register office);
   2. proof that you are entitled to inherit (extract from the civil register);
   3. proof that you have not disclaimed your inheritance (declaration of acceptance from all statutory and named heirs or proof that the time limit for a disclaimer has expired).
2. Submission of request to obtain a Certificate of Inheritance: Depending on the canton, certificates of inheritance are normally issued by the office responsible for inheritance matters in the relevant commune. (DE: Erbschaftsamt, Teilungsamt/-behrde; FR: service des successions). You may also send your request to the district prefecture (Regierungsstatthalteramt).

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Required Documents

• a copy of the death certificate (available from the civil register office);
• proof that you are entitled to inherit (extract from the civil register);
• proof that you have not disclaimed your inheritance (declaration of acceptance from all statutory and named heirs or proof that the time limit for a disclaimer has expired).

Office Locations & Contacts

Contact information for your Canton - Link

Eligibility

• There is a will or contract of succession: the statutory heirs have the right to request a certificate of inheritance
• NO will or contract of inheritance: A certificate of inheritance cannot be requested until official confirmation has been granted by the court. The official confirmation will show who is entitled to request the certificate of inheritance.

Fees

The fee for the issuance a certificate of inheritance varies from case to case. The amount ranges from several hundred to several thousand francs. The fee does not include additional costs of obtaining certificates from register offices or other information in Switzerland and abroad.

Validity

Explain the time until which the certificate/document is valid.
e.g. Birth Certificate Valid Forever

Documents to Use

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Sample Documents

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Processing Time

Even in cases where it is easy to establish who the heirs are, it will take about 6 to 12 weeks before a Certificate of Inheritance is issued.

Related Videos

Videos explaining the procedure or to fill the applications. 
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Instructions

Find out where the deceased's last place of residence was, this will determine where you will need to submit your request to obtain a Certificate of Inheritance.

Required Information

A list which displays the kind of information which is required to complete the procedure.
e.g.
1. Date of Birth.
2. City or County of Birth.

Need for the Document

The Certificate of Inheritance provides confirmation of the persons entitlement to inherit and is needed in order to dispose of the assets making up the deceased's estate based on the will or by law. Financial institutions will ask for a Certificate of Inheritance before money can be withdrawn from the deceased's accounts.

Information which might help

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Other uses of the Document/Certificate

• Financial institutions will ask for a Certificate of Inheritance before money can be withdrawn from the deceased's accounts.
• A Certificate of Inheritance is also required when the deceased's real estate is transferred or sold.

External Links

https://www.ch.ch/en/requesting-a-certificate-of-inheritance/

Others

More information which might help people.