Answer By law4u team
Yes, a single succession certificate issued by a competent civil court can cover assets in multiple banks, provided that all the relevant movable assets (such as bank deposits, fixed deposits, bonds, etc.) are properly mentioned in the application for the certificate. Here’s how it works: 1. Scope of the Succession Certificate: A succession certificate is issued under the Indian Succession Act, 1925 to establish the legal heir’s authority to collect debts and securities of a deceased person. This includes: Savings and fixed deposits in banks Provident fund amounts Shares and debentures Insurance claims Other movable assets 2. Multiple Banks Covered: If the deceased had accounts or assets in more than one bank, the applicant must: Mention all the banks and account details in the original petition filed before the District Judge under Section 372 of the Indian Succession Act Provide proper documentation supporting the claim over those assets Once the succession certificate is granted, it will typically list the debts and securities covered, and it can be presented to all the mentioned banks for claiming the respective assets. 3. Limitation: The certificate is valid only for movable assets. For immovable property (like land or house), a legal heir certificate or court declaration of title may be needed separately. If a bank or asset was not included in the application, a separate application or amendment may be required to add that later. Conclusion: Yes, a single succession certificate can cover multiple banks if all such banks and related assets are disclosed in the original application. This simplifies the process and avoids the need to obtain separate certificates for each institution.