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After a loss in the family, every task in one checklist

What to do first, which papers, which office: a list made from your answers. We never claim anything on your behalf.

Make your checklist (free) Find forgotten money
None of your details are saved Only official links We never claim money on your behalf

1. What did the family member have?

Tick what applies. A few are ticked as an example.

Was there a nominee on the accounts / policies?

2. Your checklist

0 of 11 tasks done

1First 7 days

Register the death and get the certificate

Registration within 21 days of death is free. If the death was in a hospital, the hospital reports it; if at home, the head of the household or nearest relative informs the municipality / panchayat. If late: from 30 days to 1 year needs the District Registrar's permission, and after 1 year an order of a Magistrate.

Papers: ID of the deceased, ID of the informant, hospital papers (if any). Get several copies of the certificate: almost every claim needs one.

CRS (crsorgi.gov.in) ›

Inform the pension / salary office

Pension or salary credited after the death is recovered later. Inform the bank and the pension / employer office in writing and keep the acknowledgement.

Papers: Copy of the death certificate, PPO / employee number

Make a list of all papers and assets

Keep passbooks, FD receipts, policies, PF UAN, pension PPO, land papers, vehicle RC and share/demat details in one place. Note who the nominee is in each.

2Within 30 days

Legal heir certificate (family tree)

Without a nominee, or for land mutation, you need proof of the legal heirs. In most states it is issued by the tehsil / circle / revenue office or the state e-District portal; rules differ by state, so ask your office.

Papers: Death certificate, IDs of all heirs, an affidavit giving the family details (where asked)

services.india.gov.in ›

Claim the bank account, FD and locker

No nominee: up to ₹15 lakh in a commercial bank and ₹5 lakh in a co-operative bank is paid by a simplified process without a succession certificate: claim form (Annex I-B), indemnity bond (I-C), NOC from other heirs (I-D), and a legal heir certificate or a declaration by a person who knows the family (I-E). Payment within 15 days of complete documents.

Papers: Death certificate, claimants' IDs, passbook / FD receipt, locker key

RBI Directions 2025 ›

LIC / insurance death claim

Inform the servicing branch. For LIC: Claim Form A (Form 3783), certified extract of the death register, the original policy, and age proof (if not admitted earlier). Without a nominee, proof of title. If death is within 3 years of the policy, the branch asks for more. For private insurers, get their list.

Papers: Death certificate, original policy, nominee's ID and bank details

LIC ›

PF, family pension and EDLI insurance

EPFO has one composite death claim form covering PF, pension and EDLI (replacing old Forms 20, 10D and 5-IF). If death was while in service, EDLI insurance is at least ₹2.5 lakh and up to ₹7 lakh. Get the form attested by the last employer.

Papers: Death certificate, UAN, nominee's bank account (cancelled cheque), guardian details if a minor

EPFO ›

3Within 3 months

Land / house mutation (dakhil-kharij)

Apply at the circle / tehsil office or the state land portal. Papers: death certificate and family tree / legal heir certificate. Rules and timelines differ by state.

Papers: Death certificate, family tree / legal heir certificate, land account and plot details / rent receipt, IDs of all heirs

Jharkhand land portal ›

Income tax: register as legal heir

If the deceased's income was taxable or a refund is pending, the heir registers on the e-filing portal ("Register as Representative Assessee") and files the final return.

Papers: PAN of the deceased, death certificate, proof of being the heir

incometax.gov.in ›

Search for forgotten money

Old bank accounts, share dividends, PF and insurance money are often unknown to the family. See the government portals under "Forgotten money" below.

See below ›

Change the name on electricity, gas and ration card

Apply to the electricity company, gas agency and ration office with the death certificate to change the name. The process differs by state and company.

Papers: Death certificate, new holder's ID, old bill / connection papers

3. Forgotten money

₹86,917 crore in bank deposits that nobody has claimed now sits in RBI's DEA Fund (as of 30 June 2026, per the Government's reply in the Rajya Sabha). Source

UDGAM (RBI)Search dormant accounts across many banks in one place. The claim is then made at that bank.udgam.rbi.org.in › EPFPF from old jobs: find it via UAN or the employer, then claim.epfindia.gov.in › IEPFRefund of dividends or shares that moved to the government fund.iepf.gov.in › LICUnclaimed money on LIC policies.licindia.in ›
One-time purchase

Parivar Kit

Letters and formats for every task after a death in the family (bank, insurance, PF, pension, land, vehicle), with a 90-day guide, in both Hindi and English

  • 90-day guide in both Hindi and English: what, when, which papers, which office
  • Bank claim letters under RBI's new rules: with and without nominee (Hindi + English)
  • No-objection letter, legal heirs' affidavit, indemnity bond, locker request
  • LIC, PF, pension, RTO and land mutation letters; 19 letters (11 English + 8 Hindi); land portals for every state
₹699See & buy

Frequently asked questions

If there is a nominee, is the money only theirs?

The bank or company is discharged by paying the nominee. But the nominee generally holds it on behalf of the legal heirs; the heirs divide it among themselves or as per law.

No nominee: is a court succession certificate always needed?

Not always. Under RBI's new rules, up to ₹15 lakh in a commercial bank and ₹5 lakh in a co-operative bank, and up to ₹15 lakh in demat shares, can be paid with simple papers and no succession certificate. For larger amounts or disputes, meet an advocate.

How long can the bank take?

15 days from receiving all documents. If the bank delays, it must pay interest at Bank Rate + 4% a year; for lockers, ₹5,000 per day of delay.

What if the death was registered late?

Free up to 21 days. From 30 days to 1 year it needs the District Registrar's written permission and a fee; after 1 year, a Magistrate's order.

Will muhar.in file the claim for us?

No. We only give information, the checklist and formats. You file the claim yourself on the official portal or at the office. Never share your account details, OTP or password with anyone.

How reliable is this information?

Every fact was checked against an official source on 25-10-2026. Rules can change; confirm with the office concerned.

muhar.in is not a government website and this is not legal advice. The information here is guidance only; confirm every step with the office concerned. We do not save any of your details and never claim money on anyone's behalf. Where a court step (such as a succession certificate) is needed, meet an advocate.