How to Inherit in Russia When a Relative Has Died in the USA: A Step-by-Step Guide

Inheritance matters often become complicated, particularly when they involve an international dimension. If your relative has died in the United States, the process of claiming an inheritance in Russia may require additional legal steps. In this article we will walk through a case from our practice in detail, explaining how to obtain a death certificate, an apostille, and a certified translation of documents in order to successfully inherit property in Russia.

Step 1: Obtaining the death certificate in the USA

The first and primary document you will need is a death certificate issued by the state in which your relative passed away. To obtain it you should:

1. Contact the Vital Records Office of the state where the death occurred.

2. Submit a request for the death certificate. The application process varies slightly from state to state; some states allow online applications.

Step 2: Apostille

Apostille

1. Contact the Secretary of State's office of the state where the death certificate was issued.

2. Submit an application for apostillisation of the certificate. Make sure you have all the required documents and pay the corresponding fee.

Step 3: Document translation

Once you have received the apostilled US death certificate, the next step is to have the document translated into Russian.

1. Find an accredited translator or a translation bureau whose translations are certified by a notary.

Translation of the apostille from English into Russian

2. Order a translation of the death certificate and the apostille into Russian. The translation must be accurate and precise, as any distortion of information may cause problems further down the line.

Translation of the death certificate, State of Florida, USA

Step 4: Registering the documents in Russia

Now that you have the apostilled death certificate and its notarially certified translation, you can proceed with the inheritance process in Russia.

1. Contact a notary in Russia to open the probate file. Bring the original death certificate, the apostille, and the translation.

2. The notary will verify the authenticity of the documents and initiate the probate process.

Step 5: Observing deadlines and additional documents

In Russia, there are specific deadlines for claiming an inheritance — typically six months from the date of the testator's death. It is therefore important to act promptly. The notary may also request additional documents, such as a will (if one exists) or documents confirming your relationship with the deceased.

Conclusion

Inheriting in Russia following the death of a relative in the USA requires completing a number of legal procedures and preparing documents in two countries. First, you need to obtain the death certificate in the USA with an apostille, and then have it translated into Russian. Those documents must then be registered with a Russian notary.

Please contact us for a consultation if you need to obtain a US death certificate with an apostille and a Russian translation in order to claim an inheritance in Russia. We also assist in obtaining other standard US documents, such as birth certificates, divorce decrees, and marriage certificates.

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