The certificate of inheritance in French-speaking Switzerland: procedure and costs
Introduction
After the death of a loved one, you often need to prove your status as an heir to access bank accounts, sell property or finalise the estate. This is precisely the role of the certificate of inheritance, also called certificate of heirship or deed of notoriety depending on the canton.
This official document certifies your status as an heir and specifies your rights in the estate. Without it, it is impossible to unlock the deceased's assets or modify entries in the land register. Yet its issuance remains little known: which authority issues it? What documents must be provided? How much does it cost?
In French-speaking Switzerland, the procedure varies greatly from one canton to another. In Vaud, Fribourg and Valais, it is the Justice of the Peace that intervenes. In Geneva, Neuchâtel and Jura, you must go through a notary. Costs range from 100 to 800 CHF depending on the complexity of the estate and the canton concerned.
This guide details step by step the procedure for obtaining your certificate of inheritance, the necessary documents, delivery times and fees charged in each French-speaking canton. You will also find advice for managing complex situations and speeding up your administrative procedures after a death certificate has been issued.
📌 Summary (TL;DR)
The certificate of inheritance is an official document that proves your status as an heir and your rights in an estate. In French-speaking Switzerland, it is issued by the Justice of the Peace (VD, VS, FR) or by a notary (GE, NE, JU). Costs vary from 100 to 800 CHF depending on the canton and the complexity of the file.
The procedure requires several documents (death certificate, family record book, possible will) and generally takes between 2 and 8 weeks. This certificate is essential for unlocking bank accounts, selling property and finalising all estate procedures.
📚 Table of contents
- What is the certificate of inheritance?
- What is the certificate of inheritance used for in practice?
- Who can request a certificate of inheritance?
- Which authority issues the certificate of inheritance?
- Documents required to obtain the certificate
- Detailed procedure for obtaining the certificate of inheritance
- Delivery times according to French-speaking cantons
- Costs and fees for the certificate of inheritance
- Special cases and complex situations
- Validity period and use of the certificate
- Alternatives to the certificate of inheritance
- Practical advice to facilitate the procedure
What is the certificate of inheritance?
The certificate of inheritance is an official document that proves your status as an heir and establishes your rights to the estate of a deceased person. It identifies all legal heirs and specifies their respective shares in the inheritance.
This document has different names depending on the French-speaking canton: deed of notoriety in Geneva, certificate of heirship in certain cantons, but the function remains identical. It is issued by a competent cantonal authority (Justice of the Peace or notary).
The certificate of inheritance constitutes the essential legal proof for settling an estate. To understand how it fits into the overall process, consult our guide on the steps for settling an estate in Switzerland.
What is the certificate of inheritance used for in practice?
The certificate of inheritance allows you to unlock the deceased's bank accounts, transfer property ownership in the land register, and recover investments, life insurance and other assets.
Banks and insurance companies systematically require it beyond a certain amount (generally 10,000 to 20,000 CHF depending on the institution). The land register requires it mandatorily for any property ownership transfer.
It is not always necessary: for small estates, a bank certificate may suffice. When beneficiaries are directly designated (life insurance, pillar 3a), the certificate is often not required.
Who can request a certificate of inheritance?
Any person with a legitimate interest can request a certificate of inheritance:
Legal heirs (descendants, spouse, parents, siblings)
Testamentary heirs designated in a will
The executor appointed by the deceased
Creditors of the estate in certain specific situations
Each heir can obtain their own original copy of the certificate. Several copies can be issued simultaneously to facilitate parallel procedures with different institutions.
Which authority issues the certificate of inheritance?
The competent authority for issuing the certificate of inheritance varies across French-speaking cantons. Switzerland applies two main systems: the Justice of the Peace system and the notarial system.
This difference directly impacts the procedure, timelines and costs. It is essential to know your canton's system to initiate the procedures correctly.
In all cases, it is the authority of the deceased's last domicile that is competent, regardless of the location of the heirs or the estate's assets.
The Justice of the Peace system (Vaud, Valais, Fribourg)
In the cantons of Vaud, Valais and Fribourg, the Justice of the Peace of the deceased's last domicile issues the certificate of inheritance. It is an administrative authority that manages estates.
The procedure is relatively simple and standardised. You submit your application with the required documents, the Justice of the Peace verifies the documents and issues the certificate.
Timelines are generally 2 to 4 weeks for a simple estate, without disputes or heirs who are difficult to locate. This administrative approach makes the process more financially accessible.
The notarial system (Geneva, Neuchâtel, Jura)
In Geneva, Neuchâtel and Jura, it is a notary who establishes the deed of notoriety (equivalent to the certificate of inheritance). The notary plays an active role in verifying documents and authentication.
The notary carefully verifies filiation, examines any wills, and establishes an authentic deed that is valid until proven otherwise. This procedure offers enhanced legal security.
The formalism is more significant, with fees calculated according to the value of the estate. Timelines vary from 3 to 6 weeks depending on the complexity of the file.
Documents required to obtain the certificate
To obtain your certificate of inheritance, you must provide several official documents:
Official death certificate
Identity documents of all heirs (identity card or passport)
Family record book or civil status certificates proving family relationships
Will and succession pact if they exist
Declaration of acceptance or renunciation of the estate
Inventory of the estate's assets (sometimes required)
Requirements vary slightly depending on the canton. Some authorities request certified true copies rather than originals.
Detailed procedure for obtaining the certificate of inheritance
Obtaining the certificate of inheritance follows a procedure in four main steps. Each step requires rigour and patience.
The total duration varies from 2 to 8 weeks depending on the complexity of the estate, the canton concerned and the completeness of your initial file.
Follow each step carefully to avoid delays and back-and-forth with the competent authority.
Step 1: Gather the documents
Start by gathering all the required documents before submitting your application. This careful preparation considerably speeds up the procedure.
For missing civil status certificates, contact the civil registry office of the place of birth or marriage. Obtaining times can reach 2 to 3 weeks for old documents.
Make certified true copies of all your important documents. Some authorities accept them instead of originals, which allows you to keep the latter safe.
Step 2: Submit the application
Submit your application to the competent authority of the deceased's last domicile: Justice of the Peace (VD, VS, FR) or notary (GE, NE, JU).
In some cantons, a prior appointment is necessary. Enquire before travelling. Most authorities also accept applications by registered post.
You can appoint a representative (lawyer, notary, or relative) to carry out this procedure on your behalf, particularly if you reside abroad.
Step 3: Verification and processing of the file
The authority carefully verifies your file: checking filiation, searching for other potential heirs, examining the will if it exists, and validating family relationships.
This phase can take 1 to 4 weeks depending on complexity. The authority may request additional documents if the file is incomplete.
In some cases, an official publication is made to allow any unknown heirs to come forward. This step extends timelines by several weeks.
Step 4: Issuance of the certificate
Once the file is validated, the authority issues the certificate of inheritance. Usual timelines are 2 to 6 weeks depending on cantons and the complexity of the estate.
You generally receive a notification inviting you to collect the document. Some authorities send it by registered post.
Several original copies can be issued simultaneously if several heirs request them, thus facilitating parallel procedures with different institutions.
Delivery times according to French-speaking cantons
Timelines for obtaining a certificate of inheritance vary considerably across French-speaking cantons:
Vaud: 2 to 4 weeks (Justice of the Peace)
Geneva: 4 to 6 weeks (notary)
Valais: 3 to 5 weeks (Justice of the Peace)
Fribourg: 2 to 4 weeks (Justice of the Peace)
Neuchâtel: 4 to 6 weeks (notary)
Jura: 3 to 5 weeks (notary)
These timelines can be extended in case of complex estates, heirs abroad, or disputes. To better understand the overall timeline, consult our article on the deadlines and steps of an estate.
Costs and fees for the certificate of inheritance
Costs for obtaining a certificate of inheritance vary considerably depending on cantons and the system in place (Justice of the Peace or notary).
Cantons with Justice of the Peace generally apply moderate flat-rate or proportional fees. Cantons with a notarial system have fees calculated according to the value of the estate.
It is essential to know these costs in advance to anticipate the budget necessary for settling the estate.
Fees by French-speaking canton
Here are the official fees by canton for obtaining the certificate of inheritance:
Vaud: 200 to 400 CHF (flat-rate fee of the Justice of the Peace)
Geneva: 500 to 1,500 CHF (notarial fees according to the value of the estate)
Valais: 150 to 350 CHF (Justice of the Peace)
Fribourg: 200 to 400 CHF (Justice of the Peace)
Neuchâtel: 400 to 1,200 CHF (notary)
Jura: 300 to 900 CHF (notary)
These costs are in addition to the inheritance fees and taxes that you will have to pay separately.
Possible additional costs
Beyond official fees, anticipate other potential costs:
Civil status certificates: 20 to 50 CHF per document
Certified translations: 50 to 150 CHF per page for foreign documents
Legalisation/apostille: 50 to 100 CHF per document
Lawyer's fees: 200 to 400 CHF/hour if you use legal counsel
Certified true copies: 10 to 30 CHF per document
These costs accumulate quickly in complex or international estates.
Special cases and complex situations
Certain situations complicate obtaining the certificate of inheritance and require additional procedures. These special cases extend timelines and increase costs.
It is important to identify these situations quickly to adapt your strategy and, if necessary, call upon a legal professional (lawyer or notary).
Here are the three most common situations that pose particular difficulties.
Estate with heirs abroad
When heirs reside abroad, the procedure becomes considerably more complex. You must provide foreign documents with legalisation or apostille according to international conventions.
Certified translations are mandatory for all documents not written in French, German or Italian. A sworn translator must carry out this work.
Timelines are extended by 4 to 8 additional weeks to obtain and authenticate all these documents. The Hague Conventions facilitate certain procedures between signatory countries.
Contested estate
In case of dispute between heirs, the authority does not issue the certificate of inheritance until the conflict is resolved. The dispute must first be settled before the civil court.
This situation blocks all estate procedures, including unlocking bank accounts and transferring property ownership.
Some cantons allow the issuance of a provisional certificate for urgent matters, but its use remains limited. Mediation can speed up conflict resolution.
Death without a will with unknown heirs
When a person dies without a will and all heirs are not identified, the authority launches a procedure to search for heirs.
An official publication is made in the Official Gazette to allow unknown heirs to come forward. The publication period is generally 3 months.
In some cases, a professional genealogical investigation is necessary to find distant heirs. This procedure can take 6 to 12 months and cost several thousand francs.
Validity period and use of the certificate
The certificate of inheritance has no formal expiry date. It reflects the legal situation at the time of its issuance and remains valid as long as no new element calls its content into question.
It can however be contested later if new elements appear: discovery of an unknown heir, appearance of a more recent will, or error in establishing filiation.
Use it quickly for your banking and property procedures. You can obtain several original copies if you need to carry out simultaneous procedures with different institutions.
Alternatives to the certificate of inheritance
The certificate of inheritance is not always mandatory. For small estates (generally less than 10,000 to 20,000 CHF), a simplified bank certificate may suffice.
The certificate of capacity issued by certain authorities allows simple administrative procedures to be carried out without going through the complete certificate of inheritance.
A notarised deed of partition also serves as proof and can replace the certificate for certain institutions. These alternatives have limits however: they are not accepted by the land register nor for complex estates.
Practical advice to facilitate the procedure
Anticipate by creating an estate file during your lifetime: gather your civil status documents, your property titles, and your bank details in a safe place.
Inform your relatives of the location of these important documents. Keep your family record book up to date and keep the civil status certificates of all your family members.
In case of a complex estate, consult a notary or lawyer from the start. Do not hesitate to ask the Justice of the Peace for advice, which can guide you free of charge.
Also consider publishing an obituary to inform the deceased's circle and facilitate contact with all potential heirs.
The certificate of inheritance is an essential document for unlocking an estate in French-speaking Switzerland. Each canton applies its own system, Justice of the Peace or notarial, with variable timelines and costs, generally between 100 and 500 CHF depending on the complexity of the file. The key to a smooth procedure lies in preparation: gather all necessary documents (death certificate, death certificate, family record book, will) before submitting your application.
In simple situations, the certificate is issued within a few weeks. Complex cases, heirs abroad, contested estates or without a will, sometimes require the support of a notary or specialist lawyer.
When you go through this administrative step, do not forget that honouring the memory of your loved one is also part of the grieving process. Publish an obituary on Wolky to inform the circle and create a space for remembrance accessible to all, at any time.
