Notarial certificate of inheritance

Instead of waiting for a court hearing, heirs can confirm the inheritance at a notary. The notarial certificate of inheritance (akt poświadczenia dziedziczenia) has the same effect as a final court decision, and the matter is usually closed in one visit.

When it can be done at a notary

All heirs, both statutory and those named in a will, must come to the office together and in person. There must be no dispute between them about who inherits or whether the will is valid, and the matter cannot have been decided earlier by a court or another notary.

A notary cannot issue the certificate if the deceased died before 1 July 1984 or if the inheritance is based on a special will, such as an oral one. In those cases you have to go to court.

How it works

First we talk on the phone or by email about who the heirs are and whether there is a will. Then we send a list of documents. The most important are the death certificate and civil status records showing the family relationship (full list on the Documents page). Documents issued abroad usually need an apostille and a sworn translation into Polish.

At the appointment the heirs make statements recorded in an inheritance protocol. If there is a will, the notary opens and announces it. The notary then draws up the certificate and registers it in the Inheritance Register. From that moment it has the effect of a final court decision.

Notarial deeds in Poland are always drawn up in Polish. We are happy to talk to you in English, but if you do not speak Polish well enough to follow the deed, a sworn translator has to be present when it is signed. Let us know in advance and we will help arrange one.

Afterwards and costs

With the certificate you can update the land register, deal with the deceased’s bank or re-register a car. Close family has 6 months from registration of the certificate to report the inheritance to the tax office on form SD-Z2; otherwise the tax exemption is lost. The maximum notary fee is PLN 100 for the protocol and PLN 50 for the certificate, plus 23% VAT and copies.

Frequently asked questions

Does a notarial certificate of inheritance replace a court?

Yes. It confirms who inherits and in what shares and has the same effect as a court decision confirming the acquisition of an inheritance. All heirs must attend and there must be no dispute between them.

When does an inheritance case have to go to court?

When the heirs disagree, when one of them cannot come to the notary, when the matter was already decided by a court or notary, and in cases of special wills or deaths before 1 July 1984.

How much does it cost?

At most PLN 100 net for the inheritance protocol and PLN 50 net for the certificate, plus 23% VAT and copies at PLN 6 net per page.