What is a no-objection certificate from the other legal heirs?
A no-objection certificate, or NOC, is a signed statement from each legal heir who is not claiming, saying they have no objection to the money being paid to the heir who is. Institutions ask for it when there is no nominee, because it protects them from a later dispute. Every non-claiming heir signs one, it is usually notarised, and it goes in with the affidavit of heirship and indemnity bond.
Who signs, and what it says
Every legal heir other than the claimant — in a Hindu family typically the widow, each child, and the deceased's mother, minus whichever one is claiming. Each states who they are, how they were related to the deceased, that they are aware of the claim, and that they have no objection to the money being released to the named claimant. A copy of the signer's identity proof is attached.
Signing an NOC does not necessarily give up the signer's share. It lets the claimant collect the money. What happens to it afterwards is a matter between the heirs, which is why families are wise to record the intended division in a settlement or the affidavit at the same time.
If an heir refuses, or cannot be found
Then the no-nominee shortcut is closed for that institution. Without every NOC, the bank or fund will insist on a succession certificate, because the court process is precisely what exists to resolve who is entitled. That means an advocate and several months.
An heir abroad can sign before the Indian consulate or a notary there and courier the original. A minor heir's NOC is signed by their guardian, and many institutions will still ask for a court's guardianship order for anything substantial.
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Last reviewed 2026-08-31. This is general information, not legal advice. Institution requirements change — confirm before you file.