Documents Required for Inheriting Real Estate in Ukraine: A Complete List

The process of registering an inheritance of real estate in Ukraine requires submitting a specific set of documents to a notary. The absence or incorrect preparation of any of these documents may prevent you from obtaining a certificate of inheritance. Learn more about the list of required documents, what to do if they are lost, and the option of establishing ownership through the courts

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Inheriting real estate in Ukraine involves compiling a set of documents that must be submitted to a notary. The Ministry of Justice of Ukraine emphasizes that errors in the documents or their absence can significantly delay the process of obtaining a certificate of inheritance.

We explain below exactly which documents need to be prepared, what to do if they are lost, and what to pay attention to.

How to find out which documents are required for a specific inheritance case

After opening the inheritance case, the notary determines the composition of the estate and provides the heir with a written notice listing the documents that must be gathered to issue a certificate of inheritance. This list is tailored individually depending on the type of property and the basis of inheritance—by law or by will. Therefore, the first step is to contact a notary and obtain this certificate.

About the construction market in Ukraine during the war—read here.

List of key documents for inheriting real estate

To formalize the inheritance of real estate, the following must be provided to the notary:

1. The decedent’s death certificate. This is issued by the civil registry office. The notary may also independently verify the fact of death through the State Register of Civil Status Acts of Citizens. In the absence of a death certificate, the notary may request a copy of the civil registry entry or a full extract from the registry. A death registered abroad must be confirmed by a document from the competent authority of the foreign state, which must be legalized to be valid in Ukraine, except in cases provided for by international treaties.
2. The heir’s passport and taxpayer identification number (if available).
3. Documents confirming a family relationship with the deceased (for intestate succession). These include a birth certificate, a marriage certificate, copies of final court decisions establishing the fact of family or other relationships, as well as relevant documents issued by authorities of foreign states.
4. The original will or a duplicate thereof (for testamentary succession).
5. Documents establishing title to real estate. These include a purchase and sale agreement, a gift deed, a life estate agreement, a certificate of ownership, an agreement on the division of inherited property, a state title deed for a land plot, etc.
6. Technical passport for the real estate property (if available).
7. Documents confirming cohabitation with the decedent at the time the estate was opened. These may include an extract from the local community registry, a certificate of residence registration, a Ukrainian passport in booklet form with a registration mark (for estates opened before December 1, 2021), a court decision, etc.

1. Persons registered together with the decedent and residing with him or her on the date of death are deemed to have accepted the inheritance without filing an application.

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Loss or Damage of Title Documents: Procedure

The absence of documents confirming the decedent’s ownership of real estate does not automatically result in the loss of the right to inherit. The procedure for obtaining duplicates depends on the type of property and the document itself. Duplicates of documents certified or issued by a notary are issued upon a written application by the persons in respect of whom the notarial act was performed, their successors in title, heirs, or the executor of the will, as well as at the request of the notary handling the inheritance case.

We discussed prices for new construction in Ukraine in our previous article.

Filing a lawsuit to establish ownership of inherited property

There are situations in which it is impossible to restore title documents. In such cases, the heir may file a lawsuit to establish ownership of the inherited property. Before doing so, two steps must be taken: submit an application to the notary to accept the inheritance within six months of the testator’s death and obtain a written refusal from the notary to perform notarial acts.

During the court proceedings, the heir must substantiate their right to the property, provide all available evidence, and, if necessary, call witnesses. The court also independently requests information from the competent authorities to determine the validity of claims to the inherited property. The court’s decision recognizing ownership serves as the basis for state registration. Once the decision becomes final, the heir applies to a notary or the Administrative Services Center to register ownership.

Why is it important to check documents in advance?

Timely verification of the availability and correct execution of all documents helps avoid delays and complications in the inheritance process. This applies to both property owners and potential heirs—it is advisable to ensure the documentation is in order even before the estate is opened.

Real Estate Legal Support from Visit Ukraine

The procedure for registering real estate inheritance involves numerous legal nuances, and a mistake at any stage can result in wasted time or even the loss of property rights. The Visit Ukraine portal offers the services of a real estate attorney who can assist with resolving property ownership disputes, handling inheritance matters, preparing and managing transactions, verifying documents, and other real estate-related issues.

Book a consultation with a real estate lawyer on the Visit Ukraine portal—protect yourself from legal risks and settle your inheritance without unnecessary complications!

Reminder! In our previous article, we discussed home prices in Kyiv and the suburbs in 2026.

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