Succession certificate
What it is
A succession certificate is issued by a court and authorises the holder to receive debts and securities belonging to someone who has died.
Whether you actually need one is the most consequential question in a transmission case. It is obtained through a court process, and getting one when the registrar would have accepted something simpler is a significant and avoidable cost.
When you need it
A registrar has specifically required one for the holding in question.
There is no will and no nomination, and the value or circumstances put the case beyond what simpler documents cover.
Entitlement is disputed between family members.
When you don’t
A nomination was registered — that is usually sufficient on its own, with supporting documents.
The registrar has indicated that a legal heir certificate and declarations will do.
Nobody has yet asked whether one is required. That question comes first.
Where this fits
Services that need it
Guides that use this
Problems this solves
Tell us what you are trying to claim and we will tell you exactly which documents apply — before you start filling anything in.