Kinship notarization for inheritance (亲属关系公证・用于继承)

What this notarization certifies

The notary office certifies the family relationships between the deceased and all statutory heirs, as the basis for inheritance procedures in China or abroad. It maps the full heir circle, so the evidence covers every statutory heir, not just the applicant.

Who can apply in Shanghai

Applicants whose registered or habitual residence is in Shanghai.

Documents to prepare

• Notarization application form (filled in and signed at the notary office)
• Resident ID card or another valid ID — Chinese or foreign passport, or a Taiwan / Hong Kong / Macao travel permit and ID
• Household register (hukou booklet), or a household registration certificate issued by the police
• Proof of living in Shanghai, if your hukou is registered elsewhere — Shanghai residence permit, a property deed or lease in your or a close relative's name, or an employer letter
• IDs and household registers of all statutory heirs
• Kinship evidence for the heirs — marriage certificate, medical birth certificates, only-child certificate, police household certificates, personnel-file kinship certificates, or adoption registration papers
• The deceased's medical death certificate (a copy is accepted if the original is unavailable) and the hukou-cancellation certificate
• Guardian's ID and proof of guardianship, if the applicant is a minor or lacks full legal capacity
• Agent's ID and a letter of authorization, if someone applies on your behalf

Requirements vary case by case — the coordinator confirms your personal checklist before you visit the notary office.

Fee and timeline

• Notary fee: value-based — 0.8% of the benefiting estate value up to ¥500,000 (minimum ¥200), stepping down to 0.1% for the portion above ¥10 million; for real estate, ¥80 per square metre of the benefiting share. The coordinator quotes your case before you commit
• Extra certificate copies: ¥10 (about $1.50) each
• Acceptance review: up to 3 working days; the certificate is normally issued within 15 working days of acceptance

Fees follow Shanghai's published government price standard (2017/2018). The coordinator confirms the current fee and the certified-translation cost before you commit to anything.

Using it abroad

China joined the Hague Apostille Convention in November 2023. For use in a member country — the US, Japan, most of Europe and many others — the notarial certificate receives an apostille and needs no embassy legalization. For non-member countries, consular legalization still applies. Tell the coordinator the destination country and we arrange the correct chain, including a certified translation into the language the receiving authority requires.