Inheritance in Russia from Abroad
You live outside Russia. A relative there has passed away, and you are now an heir. Here is what a Russian notary will ask you to send.
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A call from home
Elena has lived in Chicago for fifteen years. One morning she gets a call: her grandmother in Krasnodar has died, and Elena is one of the heirs. She has never done this before, and she cannot fly to Russia right now. This is a common story. Every month, people from Italy, Germany, and the United States write to us with the same problem — a relative in Russia has passed away, and they need to claim what is theirs.
Under Russian law, heirs usually have six months to open an inheritance case with a notary in the city where the person lived. If you cannot travel, a notary in Russia can still handle your case — but only if you give someone a power of attorney to act for you. You will also need to send proof of who died (a death certificate) and proof of your family link to that person (your birth certificate, or your marriage certificate if you inherit through a spouse).
Here is the part people miss. Documents from Italy, Germany, or the US do not become valid for a Russian notary just because you translate them. First, each document needs an apostille — a stamp added by an authority in the country where the document was issued. Russia does not issue apostilles for foreign documents; only the country of origin can do that. Second, once you have the apostille, the document must be translated into Russian, and a Russian notary must certify the translator’s signature. That notarized translation is what the notary handling your inheritance case will actually accept.
Documents usually needed for a Russian inheritance case
- Death certificate of the person who passed away, with an apostille from the country of origin
- Your birth certificate, to prove you are a child or grandchild of the person who died
- Your marriage certificate, if you inherit through a spouse or after a name change
- A power of attorney for a person in Russia who will represent you at the notary's office
- A copy of your foreign passport
- A notarized Russian translation of every document above, certified by a Russian notary
- Proof of the last address of the person who died, if the notary asks for it
Related services for your inheritance case
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Notarized translation
Get your death certificate, birth certificate, and other papers translated and certified for the Russian notary.
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Real estate sale package
If you inherit an apartment or house in Russia and want to sell it from abroad.
You may also need documents from Russia
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Power of attorney from Russia
Many heirs also need a power of attorney issued in Russia, apostilled, so they can act abroad — for example, to sell inherited property or manage a bank account.
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Police clearance certificate
Some countries ask for a Russian police clearance certificate with apostille when you deal with inherited property or a residency matter.
Inheritance in Russia from abroad: common questions
What documents do I need for inheritance in Russia from abroad?
You will usually need a death certificate, your birth or marriage certificate to prove the family link, a power of attorney for someone in Russia, and notarized Russian translations of all of these documents.
Where do I get an apostille for my documents?
The apostille is added in the country where the document was issued. If your birth certificate is Italian, the apostille comes from an Italian authority, not from Russia. Russia cannot apostille a foreign document.
Can someone act for me at the Russian notary if I cannot travel?
Yes. You can give a power of attorney to a relative, a friend, or a licensed representative in Russia. This lets them open and manage the inheritance case for you at the notary's office.
Why isn't a translation from my own country enough?
A Russian notary needs to certify the translator's signature before a translation is valid for a Russian inheritance case. A sworn or certified translation from Italy, Germany, or the US, on its own, is usually not accepted.
How much time do I have to claim an inheritance in Russia?
Heirs usually have six months from the date of death to open the case with a Russian notary. If you are close to this deadline, it is worth acting quickly, since documents and translations take time to prepare.
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We are not a law firm. This page explains typical document requirements, not legal advice for your specific case. The apostille for your documents is issued in the country where they were created, not in Russia. What makes a translation valid for a Russian notary is the notary's certification of the translator's signature, not a sworn translation from abroad. Always confirm the exact requirements with the notary handling your case.
