Succession Certificate versus Letter of Administration
When someone passes away in Pakistan, their assets don't transfer to the heirs on their own. Two documents do that work — and which one you need comes down to a single question: was the asset movable or immovable?
A Succession Certificate releases movable assets (bank accounts, shares, savings). A Letter of Administration covers immovable property (house, land, plots). If the estate has both, you'll usually need both — and both can now be obtained through NADRA or the civil court.
People often confuse the two, and filing for the wrong one can cost months. Below is the distinction in plain terms, a side-by-side comparison, and a simple way to decide which applies to you.
1 The Two Documents, Briefly
Succession Certificate
Authorises heirs to collect and transfer the deceased's movable property:
- Bank accounts & fixed deposits
- Shares, bonds & securities
- Savings certificates & dues
Letter of Administration
Authorises an administrator to manage and transfer immovable estate:
- Houses & apartments
- Plots & agricultural land
- Commercial property
2 Side-by-Side Comparison
| Aspect | Succession Certificate | Letter of Administration |
|---|---|---|
| Assets covered | Movable — bank accounts, shares, deposits, securities | Immovable — land, house, plots, apartments |
| Purpose | Collect & transfer movable property | Administer, transfer or mutate immovable property |
| Issued by | NADRA (undisputed) or civil court | NADRA (undisputed) or civil court |
| Legal basis | Succession Act 1925; 2021 Act | Succession Act 1925; 2021 Act |
| Typical timeline | ~15–30 days (NADRA) / 2–3 months (court) | Similar; longer if property is disputed |
| Typical use | Releasing a deceased's bank account | Mutation of a house or land into heirs' names |
3 Which One Do You Need?
It depends entirely on what the deceased left behind:
Before you file: mapping out who inherits what helps you list assets correctly. Our free Muslim Inheritance Calculator works out each heir's faraid share in minutes.
4 Can You Need Both at Once?
Yes — and it's common. Most estates contain a mix of a bank account or two and a house or plot. In that case heirs apply for a Succession Certificate for the movable side and a Letter of Administration for the immovable side. Through NADRA, these are issued as two separate documents in the same undisputed application.
5 How Are They Obtained?
Both can now be secured through two routes: NADRA's Succession Facilitation Units for undisputed estates (faster), or the civil court where heirs disagree or NADRA declines. In Sindh, even the NADRA application is filed through legal counsel.
For the full step-by-step — documents, fees, and timelines for each route — see our detailed guide: How to Get a Succession Certificate in Pakistan.
6 Challenges Heirs Face in Karachi
- Documentation delays — death certificate, CNIC cancellation, and property papers;
- Objections from family members disputing shares;
- Forged or false claims by relatives; and
- Overseas heirs who cannot easily attend proceedings.
Our inheritance lawyers in Karachi help heirs clear these hurdles so the rightful share is secured without unnecessary delay.
If you remember one thing
- Movable assets → Succession Certificate; immovable property → Letter of Administration.
- A mixed estate usually needs both.
- Either can be obtained via NADRA (undisputed) or the civil court.
- Filing for the wrong one wastes months — confirm before you file.
7 Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a succession certificate and a letter of administration?
A succession certificate covers movable assets — bank accounts, deposits, shares, and securities. A letter of administration covers immovable property — a house, plot, or land. The dividing line is simply whether the asset is movable or immovable.
When do I need a succession certificate?
When the deceased left movable assets such as bank accounts, savings, or securities that the legal heirs need to encash or transfer.
When do I need a letter of administration?
When the deceased owned immovable property and the heirs need authority to administer, transfer, or mutate it into their names.
Can heirs need both documents?
Yes. Where the estate includes both movable and immovable assets, heirs typically need both — a succession certificate for the movable side and a letter of administration for the immovable side.
Is one of them an "inheritance certificate"?
People sometimes use "inheritance certificate" loosely for either document, but the law treats them as two separate instruments with different scopes. Use the correct one for the asset in question.
Can overseas Pakistanis apply?
Yes. Heirs abroad can authorise a relative or their lawyer through a Special Power of Attorney attested at the Pakistani embassy or consulate, who then handles the application on their behalf.
What if another heir raises objections?
An objection generally moves the matter to the civil court, which hears the evidence and decides shares according to law. Forged or false claims can be challenged and rejected.
Not sure which one you need?
Filing for the wrong document can waste months. GNS Law Associates advises heirs in Karachi on both succession certificates and letters of administration — for local and overseas families. First consultation free.
