When a person dies leaving behind bank accounts, a car, shares, or other movable property, the legal heirs cannot simply walk into the bank and claim it. They need a succession certificate — the legal document that certifies who the heirs are and in what shares they inherit. Since 2021, most families in Pakistan can get this from NADRA's Succession Facilitation Units instead of going through a long court process, and in straightforward cases the certificate arrives within about a month.
An illustration (hypothetical example)
This is a hypothetical illustration, not a real case. Names and details are fictional and are given only to explain the procedure step by step.
When Rashid, a retired schoolteacher from Multan, passed away, he left behind a bank balance, a motorcycle, and prize bonds. His widow and three adult children needed a succession certificate to have these transferred to their names. Going to the district court would have meant hiring a lawyer, publishing notices, and waiting months.
Instead, the family visited the NADRA Succession Facilitation Unit in their district. They carried Rashid's death certificate, his CNIC, the CNICs of all four heirs, and their Family Registration Certificate (FRC). At the unit, each heir's biometrics were verified, the application was filed with a declaration of the deceased's assets, and NADRA published the mandatory 14-day public notice inviting objections.
No objection came. On the 30th day, the family received the succession certificate (technically called a "letter of administration" for some asset types) showing each heir's share under Islamic inheritance law. The bank transferred the balance the following week.
Why the NADRA route worked here
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All heirs cooperated. Every legal heir appeared (or was properly represented) and there was no dispute about who the heirs were or their shares. The NADRA route is designed for undisputed cases.
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Documents were complete on day one. Death certificate, CNICs, and the FRC were ready. Most NADRA delays come from families arriving without the Family Registration Certificate.
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Biometric verification went smoothly. All adult heirs were present for biometric verification. Where an heir lives abroad, a biometric-verified power of attorney arrangement is needed — planning for this in advance saves weeks.
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The 14-day notice passed without objection. The public notice is mandatory. Because nobody disputed the claim, the file moved straight to issuance after the notice period.
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The family chose the right forum. With no dispute among heirs, NADRA — not the court — was the correct and faster forum.
Documents to take to the NADRA Succession Facilitation Unit
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Death certificate of the deceased (from Union Council / NADRA)
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CNIC of the deceased
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CNICs of all legal heirs
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Family Registration Certificate (FRC) showing the family tree
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Details of the deceased's movable assets (bank accounts, vehicles, shares, prize bonds)
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Newspaper publication fee (for the 14-day notice), as applicable
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Biometric verification of all heirs at the unit
Common mistakes to avoid
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Going to court when NADRA would do. For undisputed movable-property succession, the court route is slower and more expensive. Reserve courts for disputed cases.
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Going to NADRA when heirs are fighting. If any heir disputes the shares or claims exclusion, NADRA will decline and direct you to the court. Do not waste a month discovering this.
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Missing the Family Registration Certificate. The FRC is the document that proves who the legal heirs are. Get it issued before you apply.
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Forgetting heirs who live abroad. An heir in Dubai or London must still be verified — through the embassy/NADRA overseas process or a proper power of attorney. Their absence stalls the file.
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Not declaring all assets. Declare every account, vehicle, and holding. A certificate that omits assets means a second round of applications later.
This illustration shows a typical outcome, not a guarantee — every application is decided on its own facts. Our complete guide on the NADRA succession certificate process covers fees, the 14-day notice, and what happens when heirs dispute.
Frequently Asked Questions
NADRA or court — which succession certificate do I need?
If all legal heirs agree on who inherits and in what shares, and the property is movable (bank balances, vehicles, shares), NADRA's Succession Facilitation Unit is the faster route. If heirs dispute, or the matter involves immovable property complications, the district court's succession certificate (under the Succession Act 1925) is the proper forum.
How long does the NADRA succession certificate take?
In a clean, undisputed case with complete documents, roughly 30 days: application and biometrics, then a mandatory 14-day public notice period, then issuance if no objection is received. Missing documents or an heir abroad can extend this.
What does it cost?
NADRA charges an application/processing fee plus the newspaper notice cost — modest compared to court litigation. Fees are revised from time to time, so confirm the current schedule at the facilitation unit.
What if one heir objects or refuses to cooperate?
The NADRA process stops. Succession by NADRA requires consensus; a disputed succession must go to the district court, which hears evidence and decides the shares. This is why families should sort out disputes — or at least identify them — before choosing the forum.
Can heirs living abroad be included?
Yes, but they must be verified. Overseas heirs typically verify through NADRA's overseas process or execute a biometric-verified power of attorney in favour of someone in Pakistan. Plan for this early — it is the most common cause of delay.
What if a legal heir is a minor?
A minor heir's share is protected — it is recorded in the certificate, and a guardian (usually the surviving parent, or a court-appointed guardian) handles the formalities on the minor's behalf. The minor's share cannot simply be divided among the adults.
Can a succession certificate be cancelled?
Yes, if it was obtained by fraud, concealment of heirs, or misstatement of assets. Concealing a legal heir to grab a bigger share is a serious matter — the certificate can be revoked and criminal proceedings can follow. Declare everyone honestly.