Heirs in the United Kingdom can obtain a succession certificate, legal heir certificate or letters of administration in India through a power of attorney holder. Documents are signed before a UK notary or solicitor and apostilled by the FCDO. Where an English grant of probate exists, an authenticated copy supports the Indian application. India charges no inheritance tax; UK inheritance tax may still apply.
- Document route
- Notary + FCDO apostille, or High Commission
- Time difference
- 4.5 to 5.5 hours behind IST
- Handled in India at
- District court and revenue office
- Travel to India
- Usually none
How it works from the UK
We map the Indian assets and decide which document each needs: mutation for land, a succession certificate for deposits and securities without nomination, or ancillary probate where there is a will already proved in England. Heirs give apostilled no-objection affidavits, and one petitions through our advocate. The four-and-a-half to five-and-a-half-hour time difference means your statement can be recorded during an ordinary UK morning.
For families who left two or three generations ago, the harder task is proving the chain: grandparent to parent to you, with names spelt differently on each certificate. We collect Indian records and prepare one-and-the-same-person affidavits so that the court and banks accept the lineage.
What is different for NRIs in the UK
- UK inheritance tax can reach worldwide assets of long-term UK residents; take UK advice.
- An English grant does not operate in India by itself.
- Funds can be remitted to the UK within the annual limit.
Step by step from the UK
Free review call
Calls fit easily into a UK morning, when courts and offices in India are still open. We read your papers on a succession certificate or inheritance claim first, so the call is about your options and not a repeat of the facts.
Authority from UK
Where a representative must act for you in India on a succession certificate or inheritance claim, you sign before a UK notary public or solicitor and obtain the FCDO apostille, or attend the High Commission or a Consulate General. We draft the document and send signing instructions.
Work in India
In India, we file the petition, publish the court notice, lead your evidence by affidavit or video and collect the certificate. Updates for clients in the UK go by email and WhatsApp with scans of whatever is filed.
Result and handover
At the end you receive the certified court order and we help present it to each bank, company and registry. Originals are couriered to your address in the UK if you need them.
The law in full
This page covers what changes when you handle a succession certificate or inheritance claim from the UK. For the Indian law, the complete document checklist, common mistakes and more questions, read our main page on Succession Certificate & Inheritance. For other matters, see all legal services for NRIs in the UK or the Inheritance, Wills & Documents practice area.
Questions from NRIs in the UK
Does a UK grant of probate work in India?
Not automatically. An authenticated copy can be used to obtain ancillary probate or to support mutation and transmission in India.
Can heirs in the UK get a succession certificate without travelling?
Yes, through an attorney holder, with apostilled affidavits and a statement by video link.
Is inheritance from India taxable in the UK?
India does not tax it. Whether UK inheritance tax applies depends on the residence status of the deceased and the heir; ask a UK adviser.