Succession Certificate for Heirs Living Abroad

How do heirs abroad apply for a succession certificate?

1. 1

   Collect the documents

   Death certificate, the deceased's CNIC, NADRA family registration certificate, CNICs/NICOPs of all heirs, and details of the bank accounts or assets.

2. 2

   Choose NADRA or court

   If all heirs agree, apply through NADRA. If any heir objects, or the estate includes disputed property, we file in the civil court.

3. 3

   Give a power of attorney

   Heirs abroad authorise an attorney in Karachi to file and follow the case.

4. 4

   Verify from abroad

   For NADRA applications, heirs abroad can complete biometric verification at a Pakistani mission.

5. 5

   Notice and issue

   A public notice is issued. If no objection is received within 14 days, NADRA proceeds to issue the certificate.

What if the death happened abroad?

A foreign death certificate must be in a form Pakistani offices accept — usually apostilled in the issuing country if it is a member of the Apostille Convention, or legalised through the Pakistani embassy if it is not. Registering the death with NADRA also helps keep the family registration record accurate.

A relative is living in the inherited house and refuses to share. What can I do?

Your share as an heir does not lapse because you live abroad. If a relative claims the property was gifted to them, they must prove a valid gift — offer, acceptance and delivery of possession. We can file a suit for partition and possession, or for administration of the estate, through your attorney.