What documents do I need for a legal heir certificate in the UAE?

To apply for a legal heir (succession) certificate in the UAE, you generally need to provide the deceased person's death certificate, identity documents of the deceased (such as passport and Emirates ID), and identity documents of the heirs, together with proof of the family relationship between the heirs and the deceased (for example marriage and birth certificates). Documents issued outside the UAE usually need to be attested and translated into Arabic by an accredited translator. For Muslims, the court applies the personal status (Sharia) inheritance rules to determine the heirs and shares; for non-Muslims, a registered will or other applicable rules may govern, which can change the supporting documents required. The application is made to the relevant court (such as Dubai Courts or the court in the relevant emirate). Because the exact list of documents, the fees, and the processing time are set by the court and can differ by case and emirate, confirm the current requirements directly before applying. Inheritance matters can be sensitive and complex, particularly for cross-border estates, so you can compare verified UAE legal professionals on LEXAI to help assemble the paperwork and guide the application.