Certificate of inheritance, bank and documents: what is required

Checked on 11.11.2026

Translated from German. Where anything differs, the German text counts: Deutsche Fassung

The bank wants a certificate of inheritance, so does the land registry, and at the counter they say all heirs must come together. What of that generally applies.

Proof that you are an heir

The certificate of inheritance (Erbschein). The probate court issues it on application, made at the court or through a notary. It costs fees by the value of the estate. A joint certificate names all heirs and their shares.
A will with the record of opening. A will together with the probate court's record of its opening is often enough for the bank too: if it is unambiguous, the bank usually may not insist on a certificate, even with a handwritten will. Where there are doubts, a certificate is often needed after all.
For the land register, instead of the certificate only a notarial will or notarial inheritance contract with the record of opening is enough. A handwritten will is not enough there.

At the bank

After the death the accounts belong to all heirs together. They dispose of the balance together; many banks require everyone's signature or a power of attorney. Heirs get information on the accounts against proof of their right to inherit.

At the land registry

If land belongs to the estate, the land register is corrected to the community of heirs. If this is applied for within two years of the death, there is usually no fee for the entry.

Which documents are enough in your case, the probate court, the notary or the bank itself will tell you.

What helps

A list of who asked for what. Bank, insurer, land registry, pension insurance: which document, by when, done or not.
Order certified copies. Several copies of the certificate save trips if many places want to see it.
Everything in one place. Death certificate, will, record of opening, certificate of inheritance, visible to all heirs.