Draft circular on Reserve Bank of India (Settlement of Claims in respect of Deceased Customers of Banks) Directions, 2025

DRAFT CIRCULAR RBI/2025-26/ DoR.MCS.REC. /01.01.003/2025-26 August xx, 2025 Reserve Bank of India (Settlement of Claims in respect of Deceased Customers of Banks) Directions, 2025 I. Introduction The nomination facility in deposit accounts, safe deposit lockers and articles in safe custody under the provisions of Sections 45ZA to ZF of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 read with Section 56 of the Act ibid is intended to facilitate expeditious settlement of claims by banks upon death of a deceased customer and to minimise hardship caused to the family members. Further, in cases where nomination is not registered, the extant instructions require banks to adopt a simplified procedure up to a threshold limit. However, it is observed that divergent practices are being followed by banks. Hence, it has been decided to review the extant instructions and issue revised regulations to streamline the procedures and standardise the documentation to bring improvement in the quality of customer service in this regard. II. Preliminary A. Preamble 2. These Directions are issued to provide a harmonized framework and to standardise the documentation for settlement of claims in respect of deposit accounts, safe deposit locker and articles in safe custody of a deceased customer and to minimise the difficulties faced by the nominees/ survivors/ legal heirs. B. Powers Exercised 3. In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 read with Section 56 of the Act ibid, the Reserve Bank of India (hereinafter called the Reserve Bank), being satisfied that it is necessary and expedient in public interest to do so, hereby, issues the Directions hereinafter specified.C. Short Title 4. These Directions shall be called the Reserve Bank of India (Settlement of Claims in respect of Deceased Customers of Banks) Directions, 2025. D. Effective Date 5. Instructions issued vide these Directions shall be complied with as expeditiously as possible but no later than January 1, 2026. E. Applicability 6. These Directions shall apply to all commercial banks and co-operative banks. F. Definitions 7. In these Directions, unless the context otherwise requires, (a) ‘Accounts with survivorship clause’ refers to joint deposit accounts styled as ‘either or survivor’, or ‘anyone or survivor’, or ‘former or survivor’ or ‘latter or survivor’ or any other such clause. (b) ‘Apostille’ refers to a certificate that authenticates the origin of a public document (e.g., a birth, marriage or death certificate, a judgment, an extract of a register or a notarial attestation). Apostilles can only be issued for documents issued in one country party to the Apostille Convention and that are to be used in another country which is also a party to the Convention. In India, such attestations are done by Ministry of External Affairs. (c) ‘Customer’ refers to an individual(s) who may be a depositor or a locker hirer or has placed articles in safe custody with a bank. (d) ‘Depositor’ refers to an individual(s) that has any type of deposit accounts with a bank such as Savings account, Current account, Term Deposit account, etc. (e) ‘Equivalent e-document’ shall have the same meaning as defined in paragraph 3(a)x of the Master Direction - Know Your Customer (KYC) Direction, 2016 as amended from time to time. (f) ‘Officially Valid Document’ refers to the documents as detailed in paragraph 3(a)(xiv) of the Master Direction - Know Your Customer (KYC) Direction, 2016. (g) ‘Probate’ shall have the same meaning as defined in Section 2(f) of the Indian Succession Act, 1925. 2(h) ‘Will’ shall have the same meaning as defined in Section 2(h) of the Indian Succession Act, 1925. III. Settlement of Claims in Deposit Accounts of Deceased Depositor G. Accounts with nominees/ survivorship clause 8. Deposit accounts where a depositor had made a nomination in terms of the provisions of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 or where the account was opened with survivorship clause, the payment of the outstanding balance upon the death of the depositor to the nominees/ survivors shall be considered a valid discharge of a bank’s liability, provided: (i) the bank has exercised due care and caution in establishing the identity of the nominees/ survivors and the deceased status of the account holder by obtaining appropriate documentary evidence (physical or equivalent e- document); (ii) there is no order from the competent court, as on the date of settlement/ payment, restraining the nominees/ survivors or the bank from receiving/ making the payment from the account of the deceased depositor; (iii) it has been made clear in writing to the nominees/ survivors that they would be receiving the payment from the bank as a trustee of the legal heirs of the deceased depositor, i.e., such payment to her/ him shall not affect the right or claim which any person may have against the nominees/ survivors to the extent of the payment made to them; and (iv) there is no ‘Will’ left behind by the deceased depositor. 9. Payment made to the nominees/ survivors, subject to the foregoing conditions, shall constitute a full discharge of a bank's liability. Therefore, in such cases, while making payment to the nominees/ survivors of the deceased depositor, a bank shall not insist on production of other legal documents such as succession certificate, letter of administration, probate of Will, etc., or seek any bond of indemnity/ surety from the nominees/ survivors/ third-party, irrespective of the amount standing to the credit of the deceased account holder. A bank shall require submission of the following documents in such cases: (i) Claim form, as given in Annex I-A, duly signed by the nominees/ survivors; (ii) Death certificate; and 3(iii) Officially Valid Document of the nominee/ survivor towards verifying her/ his identity and address. H. Accounts without nominee/ survivorship clause 10. Simplified Procedure for settlement of claims A bank shall adopt a simplified procedure for settlement of claims in deposit accounts where a deceased depositor had not made any nomination or in cases of joint accounts without nominee/ survivorship clause, keeping in view the imperative need to avoid inconvenience and undue hardship to the claimant/ legal heir. For settlement of such claims, a bank, based on its risk management systems, shall fix a threshold limit, subject to a minimum of ₹15 lakh. (a) Claim amount up to the threshold limit In case, there is no ‘Will’ left behind by the deceased depositor nor is there any contesting claim nor an order from a competent court restraining the claimants nor the bank from receiving/ making the payment, the bank shall settle the claim in cases up to the threshold limit, based on (i) Claim form, as given in Annex I-B, duly filled and signed by the claimants other than those who have signed the letter of disclaimer/ no objection; (ii) Death certificate; (iii) Officially Valid Document of the claimants towards verifying his/ her identity and address; (iv) Bond of indemnity/ surety, as given in Annex I-C, signed by the claimants; (v) Letter of disclaimer/ no objection, as given in Annex I-D, from non-claimant legal heirs, if applicable; and (vi) Legal Heir Certificate issued by a competent authority or Declaration regarding the legal heirs of the deceased depositor as given in Annex I-E, by an independent person who is well known to the family of the deceased but unconnected with it and acceptable to the bank. No bond of indemnity/ surety from a third-party shall be obtained in case of claims up to the threshold limit. (b) Claim amount above the threshold limit In case where claim amount is above the threshold limit, in addition to the documents 4mentioned at paragraph 10(a)(i) to (v) above, the claim shall be settled based on • Succession certificate; or • Legal Heir Certificate issued by a competent authority or Declaration regarding the legal heirs of the deceased depositor as given in Annex I-E, sworn as an affidavit before a Judge/ Judicial Magistrate, by an independent person who is well known to the family of the deceased but unconnected with it and acceptable to the bank. The claim may be accompanied by a Bond of Indemnity/ surety from third-party individuals, as given in Annex I-C, acceptable to the bank and good for the claim amount. 11. Settlement of Claims not falling under the Simplified Procedure (a) Claims involving ‘Will’ without any dispute A bank shall settle claims involving ‘Will’ left behind by a deceased depositor on the basis of Probate of Will/ Letter of Administration, as applicable, in addition to documents mentioned at paragraph 10(a)(i) to (v) above. A bank may act as per ‘Will’ of the deceased without insisting on production of the probate of such Will, provided the same is not inconsistent with applicable laws, there is no dispute regarding the Will and the bank is otherwise satisfied as to the genuineness of the Will. (b) Cases involving contesting claim/ dispute A bank shall settle claims, where there are contesting claims or dispute among the claimants/ legal heirs with respect to the Will of the deceased depositor, on the basis of Probate of Will or Letter of Administration or Succession Certificate or Court decree, as applicable, in addition to documents mentioned at paragraph 10(a)(i) to (v) above. Further, where there is an order from a Court restraining the bank from making the payment, the claim shall be settled based on subsequent Court decree to that effect. (c) No bond of indemnity/ surety shall be insisted from a third party in cases falling under either paragraph 11(a) or 11(b). I. Treatment of pipeline flows in the name of a deceased depositor 12. In order to avoid hardship to the nominees/ survivors/ legal heirs of a deceased depositor, a bank shall obtain appropriate agreement/ authorisation from the nominees/ survivors/ legal heirs with regard to the treatment of pipeline flows in the name of the 5deceased account holder. In this regard, the bank shall adopt either of the following two approaches: (i) The bank could be authorized by the nominees/ survivors/ legal heirs of a deceased account holder to open an account styled as 'Estate of Shri/ Smr/ Kum. ________________, the Deceased' where all the pipeline flows in the name of the deceased account holder could be allowed to be credited, provided no withdrawals are made. OR (ii) The bank could be authorized by the nominees/ survivors/ legal heirs to return the pipeline flows to the remitter with the remark 'Account holder deceased' and to intimate the nominees/ survivors/ legal heirs accordingly. The nominees/ survivors/ legal heirs could then approach the remitter to effect payment through a negotiable instrument or through electronic transfer. J. Premature termination of term deposit accounts in case of depositor’s death 13. A bank shall incorporate a clause in the account opening form itself to the effect that in the event of the death of the depositor, premature termination of term deposits would be allowed without any penal charge, even if the deposit is within the lock-in- period. 14. Premature termination of term deposits opened jointly, with or without survivorship clause, shall require the consent of all the account holders, when all of them are alive, and that of the surviving depositors and the legal heirs of the deceased joint holder, in case of death of one of the depositors. However, if a specific mandate is furnished by all the depositors jointly to the bank, either at the time of placing the term deposit, or anytime subsequently during the tenure of the deposit, then premature withdrawal option shall be allowed to the survivors, on the death of any of the depositors, without seeking the concurrence of the legal heirs of the deceased joint deposit holder. K. Settlement of claims in respect of missing persons 15. The settlement of claims in respect of missing persons shall be governed by the provisions of Sections 110 and 111 of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023. As such, the nominee/ legal heir has to raise an express presumption of death of the depositor under the said legal provisions before a competent court. If the court 6presumes that she/he is dead, then the claim in respect of a missing person can be settled on the basis of court orders as per the procedure applicable for settlement of claims in respect of a deceased depositor. 16. A bank shall formulate a policy which would enable it to settle the claims of a missing person after considering the legal opinion and taking into account the facts and circumstances of each case. Further, keeping in view the imperative need to avoid inconvenience and undue hardship to the common person, a bank, keeping in view their risk management systems, shall fix a threshold limit, up to which claims in respect of missing persons could be settled without insisting on production of any documentation other than (i) First Information Report (FIR) and the non-traceable report issued by police authorities and (ii) letter of indemnity from the claimant. IV. Settlement of Claims in Safe Deposit Locker and Articles in Safe Custody kept by Deceased Customer L. Claims with Nominees/ Survivors 17. If a sole locker hirer nominates an individual(s) to receive the contents in the locker in case of her/ his death, a bank shall give access of the locker to such nominees with liberty to remove the contents of the locker. In case of a minor nominee, bank shall ensure that, the contents of locker, when sought to be removed on behalf of the minor nominee, are handed over to a person who is, in law, competent to receive the contents of safe deposit locker on behalf of such minor. 18. In case the locker was hired jointly with the instructions to operate it under joint signatures, and the locker hirers nominates any other individual(s), in the event of death of any of the locker hirers, the bank shall give access of the locker and the liberty to remove the contents jointly to the nominees and the survivors. In case the locker was hired jointly with survivorship clause and the hirers instructed that the access of the locker should be given to "either or survivor", "anyone or survivor" or "former or survivor" or according to any other survivorship clause permissible under the provisions of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, the bank shall follow the mandate in the event of death of one or more of the joint locker hirers. 19. The following documents shall be obtained by a bank in this regard for processing the claim: 7(i) Claim form, as given in Annex I-A, duly signed by the survivors/ nominees; (ii) Death certificate; and (iii) Officially Valid Document of the survivor/ nominee towards verifying her/ his identity and address. 20. A bank shall, however, ensure the following before giving access to the contents to the nominees/ survivors: (i) Exercise due care and caution in establishing the identity of the nominees/ survivors and deceased status of the locker hirers by obtaining appropriate documentary evidence (physical or equivalent e-document); (ii) There is no order or direction as on date from Courts/ Forums restraining the nominees/ survivors or the bank from giving access to the locker of the deceased customer and liberty to remove the contents of such locker; and (iii) Make it clear to the nominees/ survivors that access to and liberty to remove the contents of the locker is given to them only as a trustee of the legal heirs of the deceased locker hirer, i.e., such access and liberty to remove the contents given to them shall not affect the right or claim which any person may have against the nominees/ survivors to whom the access is given. 21. After receipt of the documents mentioned at paragraph 18 above and being satisfied to the genuineness of the claim, the bank shall correspond with the nominees/ survivors in writing and fix a date and time for making an inventory of the contents of the safe deposit locker. The same shall be undertaken in the presence of the nominees and/or survivor sand/ or their authorised representatives, two independent witnesses (should not be employee or ex-employee of the bank), the safe deposit vault custodian and another employee of the bank not associated with locker operations, and recorded as per the inventory form given in Annex I-F. The bank shall then hand over the possession of the contents of the locker to the nominees/ survivors/ the person competent to receive the contents on behalf of the minor, as the case may be, and obtain an acknowledgment, as given in Annex I-F, that all the contents in the locker of the deceased hirer have been removed and the locker is empty, and they have no objection to allotment of the locker to any other locker hirer as per norms of the bank. 822. Production of legal documents, viz., succession certificate, letter of administration, probate of Will, etc., or bond of indemnity/ surety from the nominees/ survivors shall not be required unless there is any discrepancy in nomination. 23. Similar procedure shall be followed for return of articles kept by the deceased customer in the safe custody of the bank. However, inventory form given in Annex I- G shall be used in such cases. M. Cases without nominee/ survivor 24. In case where the deceased locker hirer had not made any nomination or where the joint hirers had not given any mandate that the access may be given to one or more of the survivors by a clear survivorship clause, a bank may obtain the following documents to settle the claims without obtaining any legal documentation such as succession certificate, letter of administration, etc. provided there is no dispute amongst the legal heirs: (i) Claim form, as given in Annex I-B, duly filled and signed by the claimant legal heirs; (ii) Death certificate; (iii) Officially Valid Document of the claimants towards verifying his/ her identity and address; (iv) Letter of disclaimer/ no objection, as given in Annex I-D, from non- claimant legal heirs, if applicable; and (v) Legal Heir Certificate issued by a competent authority or Declaration regarding the legal heirs of the deceased locker hirer as given in Annex I-E, sworn as an affidavit before a Judge/ Judicial Magistrate, by an independent person who is well known to the family of the deceased but unconnected with it and acceptable to the bank. 25. After receipt of the above documents and being satisfied to the genuineness of the claim, the bank shall correspond with the claimants in writing and fix a date and time for making an inventory of the contents of the safe deposit locker, as given in form prescribed in Annex I-F, in the presence of all legal heirs or their duly authorised representatives, two independent witnesses (should not be employee or ex-employee of the bank), the safe deposit vault custodian and another employee of the bank not associated with locker operations. The claimants may remove the contents of the 9locker subsequent to submission of the Bond of Indemnity, as given in Annex I-H, signed by all legal heirs. 26. Cases involving dispute amongst the legal heirs shall be settled based on Probate of Will or succession certificate or letter of administration or court order/ decree, as the case may be. 27. Similar procedure, as prescribed in paragraphs 22 and 23 above, shall be followed for return of articles kept by the deceased customer in the safe custody of the bank. However, inventory form given in Annex I-G shall be used in such cases. V. Operational and Compensation related aspects N. Standardisation of procedure for submission of claims 28. A bank shall use the standardized forms for receiving the claims and other documents as per the formats provided in Annex I-A to I-H. 29. The standardised forms and other documents required for settlement of claims with respect to the deposit accounts/ safe deposit locker/ articles in safe custody kept by a deceased customer shall be made available in all the branches as well as on the bank’s website for the convenience of the claimants. Further, a bank shall also display, on its website, the list of documents to be submitted by a claimant and the procedure to be followed for settlement of claims in various scenarios. 30. A claimant shall be allowed to lodge the claim at any of the bank’s branches against acknowledgment. In case all requisite documents required for processing of the claim have been submitted by the claimant, the bank shall also issue a confirmation in this regard. However, in case of pending or incomplete/ incorrect documents, the bank shall intimate the claimant about the list of such documents along with the acknowledgement. On subsequent submission of all the required documents, the bank shall issue a confirmation to the claimant that all requisite documents have been received for processing of the claim. 31. A bank may provide the facility for online lodgement of such claims through its website. Upon a claimant uploading the claim form along with the requisite documents, the bank shall send acknowledgement/ confirmation through appropriate channels and also make available the provision for online tracking of the status of the claim. In such cases, if the bank requires the claimant to produce original documents for submission or verification, the same shall be allowed to be done at any of its branches. 10O. Time limit for settlement of claims 32. A bank shall settle a claim in respect of deposit accounts of a deceased customer within a period not exceeding 15 calendar days from the date of receipt of all the requisite documents associated with the claim. 33. In case of safe deposit locker/ articles in safe custody, the bank shall, within 15 days of receipt of all the requisite documents, process the claim and issue communication to the claimant for fixing the date for taking inventory of the locker/ articles in safe custody. P. Compensation for delay in settlement of claims 34. If any deposit related claim is not settled within the timeframe stipulated at paragraph 32 above, then the bank shall communicate to the claimants the reasons for such delay. Further, in cases of delay attributable to the bank, compensation shall be paid to the claimants by the bank in the form of interest, at a rate not less than the prevailing Bank Rate + 4% per annum, on the settlement amount due for the period of delay. The reference date for reckoning the amount due and the prevailing Bank rate shall be the date of receipt of all requisite documents from the claimant. 35. In claims related to safe deposit locker/ articles in safe custody, the bank shall be required to pay compensation to the claimants at the rate of ₹5,000 for each day of delay, in cases where it doesn’t adhere to the timeline prescribed in paragraph 33 above. VI. Miscellaneous Q. Authentication modes for ‘proof of death’ document issued outside India 36. In cases involving death of a customer outside India, ‘proof of death’ document is issued by an authority outside the country. In such cases, a bank shall accept the certified copy of the document issued for ‘proof of death’, authenticated in the country of its issuance in any one or more of the following modes: (i) verified by authorised officials of overseas branches of Scheduled Commercial Banks registered in India; 11(ii) verified at branches of overseas banks with whom Indian banks have correspondent banking relationships; (iii) verified by a Court Magistrate or Judge; (iv) consularised by Indian Embassy/ Consulate General in the country of issuance; (v) apostilled. R. Customer Awareness and Publicity 37. A bank shall create awareness among its customers about the benefits of the nomination facility/ survivorship clause and give wide publicity to these facilities along with the procedure for settlement of claims. S. Repeal Provisions 38. With the issuance of these Directions, the instructions contained in the circulars mentioned in Annex II, issued by the Reserve Bank, shall stand repealed from the effective date of these Directions. 39. Notwithstanding the repeal provisions under paragraph 38 above, anything done or any action taken or purported to have been done or taken, or any direction given or any proceeding taken or any penalty or fine imposed under the repealed enactments shall, insofar as it is not inconsistent with the provisions of these Directions, be deemed to have been done or taken under the corresponding provisions of these Directions. 12Annex I-A Application Form for Settlement of Claim in Deposit Accounts/ Release of Contents of Safe Deposit Lockers/ Return of Articles in Safe Custody kept by Deceased Customer (cases with Nomination or Joint Account with survivorship clause) The Branch Manager Date: _________________ Bank _________________ Branch Madam/ Dear Sir, Claim as *Nominee/ Survivor for Payment of Balances in the *Deposit Accounts/ Release of Contents of Safe Deposit Lockers/ Return of Articles in Safe Custody kept by Shri/ Smt/ Kum. ________________ (Name of *Deceased/ Missing Customer) I/ We ________________________ (Nominee(s)/ Survivor(s)) hereby declare that I am/ we are the *Nominee(s)/ Survivor(s)/ appointed as Guardian of a Minor Nominee/ Survivor in the *Deposit Accounts/ Safe Deposit Lockers/ Articles in Safe Custody kept by Shri/ Smt/ Kum. ______________________ (Name of Deceased/ Missing Customer) who *expired on ____________/ is missing/ not traceable since _________________. 2. I/ We furnish below the required information about the deceased customer: (a) Date and Place of Death _____________________________________________ (b) Details of Death Certificate No. ________ dated_________ Authority_______________ (copy enclosed). (Original to be produced for verification) (c) Age _______ Yrs. (d) Marital Status: Married / Unmarried/ Widow(er) (e) Address: ______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ City/ District: ___________ Pin Code: ________ State: ________ Country: __________ 3. I/ We, therefore, submit my/ our Claim as Nominee(s)/ Survivor(s)/ Guardian on behalf of Minor Nominee/ Survivor for *payment of the balance with accrued interest in deposit accounts/ release of contents of safe deposit lockers/ return of articles in safe custody kept by deceased customer as per details given below: 13a. Deposit Accounts Sr. Nature of Deposits Account No. Amount Date of Maturity No. (SB/ CA/ TD, etc.) (in case of TD) 1. 2. 3. 4. Total b. Safe Deposit Locker No. __________________ Mode of Holding: ________________ Details of Articles (if known): ________________ c. Safe Custody Article Receipt No. ____________ Details of Articles (if known): ________________ 4. Details of Nominee/ Survivor: 4.1 I/ We request the bank to transfer the balance payable (after making the required adjustments, set-off, if any) in deposit accounts of the deceased to the account(s) given below: Sr. Detail of nominee(s)/ Mobile Email Bank Name, No. survivor(s) Number Address Account Type & Number, and IFSC details Name Address 1 2 3 4 4.2 I/ We request the bank to *release the contents of safe deposit lockers/ return the articles in safe custody to the following persons: Sr. Detail of nominee(s)/ survivor(s) Mobile Email Address No. Number Name Address 1 2 3 4 144.3 For the minor nominee/ survivor, name of such nominee/ survivor and his/ her natural/ legal guardian are given below: Sr. Name of the Date of Name of Relationship Address Mobile Number No. Minor Birth the with Minor of the and Email Nominee/ Guardian Guardian address of the Survivor Guardian 1 2 5.1 I/ We undertake that (i) There is no Will left behind by the Deceased to the best of my/ our knowledge and belief. (ii) I/ We shall hold/ receive the aforesaid amount/ articles in a fiduciary capacity as a trustee of the rightful beneficiary(ies) and any settlement made to me/ us shall not affect their rights. (iii) The aforesaid *accounts/ safe deposit locker/ safe custody articles are not the subject matter of any dispute and that there is no Court order restraining me/ us or the bank from settling the claim in my/ our favour or otherwise. (iv) I/ We authorise the bank to exercise its right to lien and set-off and accordingly, to deduct the outstanding dues which are payable to the bank in relation to credit facilities availed by the Deceased or any other dues payable to the bank, from the balance held by the Deceased in the aforementioned account(s). 5.2 I/ We declare that (i) I/ We have attached the following documents for the purpose of settlement of my/ our claim: ☐ *Death certificate (of deceased customer)/ First Information Report (FIR) and the non-traceable report issued by police authorities (in case of missing person) ☐ Officially Valid Document1 in support of the identity and address of the Nominee(s)/ Survivor(s) making the claim. (ii) The facts stated above are true and correct to the best of my/ our knowledge and belief. 1 “Officially Valid Document” (OVD) means the passport, the driving licence, proof of possession of Aadhaar number, the Voter's Identity Card issued by the Election Commission of India, job card issued by NREGA duly signed by an officer of the State Government and letter issued by the National Population Register containing details of name and address. 156. Name and signature of the *nominees/ survivors who will receive the balance payable/ articles in safe deposit locker/ safe custody: Sr. Name of nominee(s)/ survivor(s)/ Signature/ Thumb impression2 No. Guardian of Minor Nominee 1 2 3 4 Name and address of witness (in case of claimant(s) placing the thumb impression): Signature of witness: *(Delete whichever is not applicable) __________________________________________________________________________ FOR OFFICE USE (may be prepared by the bank as per its official requirement) 2 In case a claimant is unable to sign, he/ she may place the thumb impression in the presence of a witness known to the bank. 16Annex I-B Application Form for Settlement of Claim in Deposit Accounts/ Release of Contents of Safe Deposit Lockers/ Return of Articles in Safe Custody kept by Deceased Customer (cases other than Nomination or Joint Account with survivorship clause) The Branch Manager Date: _________________ Bank _________________ Branch Madam/ Dear Sir, Claim for Payment of Balances in the *Deposit Accounts/ Release of Contents of Safe Deposit Locker/ Return of Articles in Safe Custody kept by Shri/ Smt/ Kum. ________________ (Name of Deceased/ Missing Customer) I/ We ________________________ (Claimant(s)) hereby declare that I am/ we are the claimant(s) in the *Deposit Accounts/ Safe Deposit Locker/ Articles in Safe Custody kept by Shri/ Smt/ Kum. ______________________ (Name of Deceased/ Missing Customer) who *expired on ____________/ is missing/ not traceable since _________________. 2. I/ We furnish below the required information about the deceased customer: (a) Date and Place of Death: _____________________________________________ (b) Details of Death Certificate No. _________ dated_________ Authority________________ (copy enclosed). (Original to be produced for verification) (c) Age: ___________ Yrs. (d) Marital Status: Married / Unmarried/ Widow(er) (e) Address: _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ City/ District: __________ Pin Code: ________ State: ________ Country: ___________ (f) Religion: ___________________ Mention which law of succession is applicable _________ (Hindu, Mohammedan, etc.) (g) Name, Relation & Age of the legal heirs of the deceased: Sr. Name & Address Age Relation Mobile Number & Whether No. Email Address signing Letter of Disclaimer (Yes/ No) 1 2 3 4 17(h) In case of minor legal heirs, details of Natural Guardian/ Legal Guardian: Sr. Name of the Date of Name of Relationship Address Mobile Number No. Minor Legal Birth the with Minor of the and Email Heir Guardian Guardian address of the Guardian 1 2 3. I/ We, therefore, submit my/ our Claim for *payment of the balance with accrued interest in deposit accounts/ release of contents of safe deposit lockers/ return of articles in safe custody kept by deceased customer as per details given below: a. Deposit Accounts Sr. Nature of Deposits Account No. Amount Date of Maturity No. (SB/ CA/ TD, etc.) (in case of TD) 1. 2. 3. 4. Total b. Safe Deposit Locker No. __________________ Mode of Holding: _________________ Details of Articles (if known): ____________________ c. Safe Custody Article Receipt No. _____________ Details of Articles (if known): ____________________ 4. I/ We lodge my/ our claim for the above *balance with accrued interest/ safe deposit locker/ articles in safe custody of the above-named deceased in terms of: (Select the applicable option) Will of Late Shri/ Smt/ Kum. _________________ dated _______________ (copy enclosed). The Will has neither been Probated nor has any Letter of Administration been obtained with respect to the same. Will of Late Shri/ Smt/ Kum. ______________ dated _______________ and a probate granted by the court of __________ located at ____________________ vide order dated __________________ (copy enclosed). Letter of Administration No. ___________ dated ___________ issued by _________ at ____________ (copy enclosed). 18Succession Certificate dated ___________ granted by the Court of ______________ located at _____________ vide order dated ______________ (copy enclosed). Court decree dated _____________ issued by the Court of ___________________ located at _____________ (copy enclosed). Legal Heir Certificate granted by ______________ at __________ vide order dated ______________ (copy enclosed) Declaration/ Affidavit from an independent person regarding the legal heirs of the deceased depositor (copy enclosed). 5.1 I/ We request the bank to transfer the balance payable (after making the required adjustments, set-off, if any) to the account of claimant(s) given below: Sr. Name of Claimant Bank Name and IFSC Branch Details No. A/c No. 1 2 3 4 For the minor claimant, name of such claimant and his/ her natural/ legal guardian are given below: Sr. Name of the Minor Date of Birth Name of the Relationship with No. Claimant Guardian Minor 1 2 5.2 I/ We request the bank to * release the contents of safe deposit lockers/ return the articles in safe custody to the following persons: Sr. Name of Claimant No. 1 2 3 4 6.1 I/ We undertake that (i) I/ We shall hold/ receive the aforesaid amount/ payment in a fiduciary capacity as a trustee of the rightful beneficiary(ies) and any settlement made to me/ us shall not affect their rights. (ii) The aforesaid *accounts/ safe deposit lockers/ safe custody articles are not the subject matter of any dispute and that there is no Court order restraining me/ us or the bank from settling the claim in my/ our favour or otherwise. 19(iii) I/ We authorise the bank to exercise its right to lien and set-off and accordingly, to deduct the outstanding dues which are payable to the bank in relation to credit facilities availed by the Deceased customer or any other dues payable to the bank, from the balance held by the Deceased customer in the aforementioned account(s). (iv) To indemnify and hold the bank harmless against any claims, suits, legal proceedings by any legal heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives, arising out of/ in connection with the settlement of this deceased claim in accordance to this request letter. 6.2 I/ We declare that: (i) I/ We have attached the following documents for the purpose of settlement of my/ our claim: ☐ *Death certificate (of deceased customer)/ First Information Report (FIR) and the non-traceable report issued by police authorities (in case of missing person) ☐ Officially Valid Document3 in support of the identity and address of the Claimant(s) making the claim. ☐ Will/ Probate of Will ☐ Letter of Administration ☐ Succession Certificate ☐ Court Decree/ order ☐ Legal Heir Certificate ☐ Declaration/ Affidavit from an independent person regarding the legal heirs of the deceased customer ☐ Bond of indemnity/ surety signed by Claimant(s) ☐ Bond of indemnity/ surety signed by Third Party(ies) ☐ Letter of disclaimer/ no objection from non-claimant legal heir(s) (ii) The facts stated above are true and correct to the best of my/ our knowledge and belief. 3 “Officially Valid Document” (OVD) means the passport, the driving licence, proof of possession of Aadhaar number, the Voter's Identity Card issued by the Election Commission of India, job card issued by NREGA duly signed by an officer of the State Government and letter issued by the National Population Register containing details of name and address. 207. Name and signature of the claimants who will receive the balance payable/ articles in safe deposit locker/ safe custody: Sr. Name of the Claimant/ Guardian of Minor Signature/ Thumb impression4 No. Claimant 1 2 3 4 Name and address of witness (in case of claimant(s) placing the thumb impression): Signature of witness: *(Delete whichever is not applicable) Note :_____ Bank is not responsible for any delay in disposal of the claim due to lack of full particulars furnished in this application and may insist on calling for a Legal Document in case there are disputes among legal heirs and all of them do not join in indemnifying the bank, or give Letter of Disclaimer, or where the bank has reasonable doubt about the genuineness of the claimants being the only heirs of the deceased customer. The Bank shall duly advise the claimants in such cases. __________________________________________________________________________ FOR OFFICE USE (may be prepared by the bank as per its own requirement) 4 In case a claimant is unable to sign, he/ she may place the thumb impression in the presence of a witness known to the bank. 21Annex I-C BOND OF INDEMNITY/ SURETY (To be duly stamped as per the Stamp Act applicable to the State) (For Settlement of Claim in Deposit Accounts of Deceased Customer without production of Legal Documents) The Branch Manager Date: _________________ Bank _________________ Branch IN CONSIDERATION of your paying or agreeing to pay us, (Mention here the name of the claimant(s)) 1. ___________________________________________________ 2. ___________________________________________________ 3. ___________________________________________________ 4. ___________________________________________________ the sum of Rupees ________________________________________ standing at the *credit of following deposit accounts with your bank in the name of Shri/ Smt/ Kum. ________________________________ since deceased, without production of Probate of Will or Letter of Administration or a Succession Certificate to his/ her estate: Sr. Nature of Deposits Account No. Amount Date of Maturity No. (SB/ CA/ TD, etc.) (in case of TD) 1. 2. 3. 4. Total We, ____________________________________________________, do hereby for (Mention here the Name of the *claimants/ sureties) ourselves and our heirs, legal representatives, executors and administrators, jointly and severally UNDERTAKE AND AGREE to indemnify you and your successors and assign against all claims, demands, proceedings, losses, damages, charges and 22expenses which may be raised against or incurred by you by reasons or in consequence of your having agreed to pay/ or paying the said sum to the claimants as aforesaid. SIGNED AND DELIVERED by the above named 1. __________________________________ 2. __________________________________ 3. __________________________________ 4. __________________________________ (Heirs/ claimants of the deceased customer) Signed and delivered by the above named on this ___________day of __________two thousand_______________________. *SIGNED AND DELIVERED by the above named 1. __________________________________ 2. __________________________________ (Sureties) Signed and delivered by the above named on this ___________day of __________two thousand_______________________. *(Delete whichever is not applicable) 23Opinion Report on Surety 1. Name in Full 2. Address 3. Academic Qualification 4. Age 5. Occupation (If employed, please state the name of the employer and since when employed). 6. Present Monthly Income/ Salary (Attach a Salary Certificate, if income is by way of salary) 7. Total yearly income from all sources 8. No. of dependents 9. Personal Assets a. Immoveable Property, viz., land/ Building, etc. (please give details of acquisition, present value, etc.) b. Investments (Term Deposits, Shares, etc., if any) c. Life Insurance Policy d. Other Assets e. Details of Bank Accounts, if any (Name and address of Bank with Account No. (Savings bank/ Current) to be furnished). 10. Personal Liability, if any 11. Please indicate whether surety is related to claimants Yes/No 12. Period for which claimants are known Yrs. I confirm that all the statements made by me in this application are true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief. Place: Date: Signature (Surety) __________________________________________________________________ Remarks of the Bank Official 24Annex I-D LETTER OF DISCLAIMER (To be duly stamped as per the Stamp Act applicable to the State) The Branch Manager _________________ Bank _________________ Branch Dear Sir, Details of deposit account(s)/ safe custody articles/ safe deposit locker in the name of Shri/ Smt/ Kum. _____________________________ since deceased are as follows: a. Deposit Accounts Sr. Nature of Deposits Account No. Amount Date of Maturity No. (SB/ CA/ TD, etc.) (in case of TD) 1. 2. 3. 4. Total b. Safe Deposit Locker No. __________________ Mode of Holding: _________________ c. Safe Custody Article Receipt No. __________ Details of Articles (if known): ______________ 2. With reference to the above account(s)/ safe deposit locker/ safe custody articles, I/ We, the legal heirs of Shri/ Smt./ Kum. _________________________ (Name of deceased customer), have to advise that we have no interest in the above deposits/ assets and as such we have no objection to your paying the *balance amount in the above account(s)/ releasing the contents in safe deposit locker/ returning the safe custody articles lying with you in the name of the aforesaid Shri/ Smt/ Kum. ______________________(Name of the deceased customer) to Shri/ Smt/ Kum.: 1. _______________________________ 2. _______________________________ 3. _______________________________ 254. _______________________________ Such payment of the *balance in the above account(s)/ release of the contents in safe deposit locker/ return of the safe custody articles would be completely binding on us and we will not question the bank’s action in doing so. I/ We undertake to bind ourselves, our heirs and legal representatives not to revoke the declaration made herein. Sr. Name of the Claimants (who Age (yrs) Signature No. relinquish their rights) 1 2 3 4 Signed on this _________day of __________two thousand_____________. *(Delete whichever is not applicable) 26Annex I-E DECLARATION/ AFFIDAVIT (To be duly stamped as per the Stamp Act applicable to the State) I, _____________________________ S/D/O _______________________________ residing at __________________________________________________________ do hereby make oath*/solemnly affirm and say as follows: That Shri/ Smt /Kum. _______________________________ (Name of the deceased customer) hereinafter, referred to as “the deceased” died intestate on ___________________at ______________________. 2. That I know the deceased and his/ her family since the last __________ years. 3. That at the time of his/ her death, the deceased left surviving him/ her the following persons who according to the law by which they are governed, are the only legal heirs of the deceased entitled to succeed to the estate of the deceased on an intestate succession: Sr. Name Age (yrs.) Relationship with the No deceased 1 2 3 4 4. That I am not related in any manner whatsoever to the deceased or any of the above-mentioned persons nor have I any claim or interest of whatsoever nature in the estate of the deceased. 5. That I am informed, and I verily believe that the deceased has left certain *deposits/ safe deposit locker/ articles in safe custody with the ________________ Bank ____________ branch, to which the above-mentioned persons are entitled to claim. 6. That I am making this solemn declaration sincerely and conscientiously believing the same to be true and with full knowledge that it is on the strength of this declaration that the ________________ Bank ______________ branch, has agreed at my request to make payment of the amount of the deposits and *deliver the articles in safe deposit locker/ safe custody to the above mentioned persons without insisting 27on production of a grant of legal document to the estate of the deceased from a competent Court by them. *Sworn/ solemnly affirmed at this ________day of ______two thousand__________. (Signature of Declarant) in the presence of ___________________ before me Judge/ Magistrate *(Delete whichever is not applicable) 28Annex I-F Form of Inventory of Contents of Safe Deposit Locker The following inventory of contents of Safe Deposit Locker No. ______________________ located at __________________________ Branch of _____________________ Bank, *hired in her/ his sole name by Shri/ Smt./ Kum. ________________________ (deceased), *hired jointly by Shri/ Smt./ Kum. (i) ___________________________________ (deceased) (ii) ___________________________________ (iii) ___________________________________ was taken on this ______________ day of ______________ two thousand__________. Sr. Description of Articles in Safe Deposit Other identifying particulars, No. Locker if any 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 2. For the purpose of inventory, access to the locker was given to the nominee/ survivor/ legal heirs/ a person mandated by the legal heirs and surviving hirers • *By breaking open the locker under her/ his/ their instructions. • *Who produced the key to the locker 3. The above inventory was taken in the presence of: (i) Nominee/ Legal heirs of deceased joint hirer(s)/ person mandated by Nominee (including minor nominee) or Legal Heirs Shri/ Smt./ Kum. _________________ __________________ Address _______________________ (Signature) 29Shri/ Smt./ Kum. _________________ __________________ Address ________________________ (Signature) And (ii) Survivors in case of Joint hirers (if applicable) Shri/ Smt./ Kum. ________________ __________________ Address _______________________ (Signature) Shri/ Smt./ Kum. _________________ __________________ Address ________________________ (Signature) (iii) Witness(es) Shri/ Smt./ Kum. ________________ __________________ Address _______________________ (Signature) Shri/ Smt./ Kum. _________________ __________________ Address ________________________ (Signature) (iv) On behalf of Bank Custodian: Shri/ Smt./ Kum. ___ _______________ Address _______________________ __________________ (Signature) Bank employee other than Custodian: Shri/ Smt./ Kum. __________________ Address ____________________________ ___________________ (Signature) *(Delete whichever is not applicable) 30_______________________________________________________________________ ACKNOWLEDGEMENT *I, Shri/ Smt./ Kum. __________________________________ legal heir/ mandate holder *We, Shri/ Smt./ Kum. ________________________________ ________________________________ ________________________________ legal heirs, and Shri/ Smt./ Kum. _____________________________________ _____________________________________ _____________________________________ surviving hirers hereby acknowledge the receipt of the contents of the safe deposit locker comprised in as set out in the above inventory. Shri/ Smt./ Kum. ____________________________ (Legal Heir/ Mandate Holder) Shri/Smt./ Kum. ________________________ ___________________ Signature Shri/ Smt./ Kum. ________________________ __________________ Signature Shri/ Smt./ Kum. ________________________ ___________________ Signature Date and Place ____________________ (*Delete whichever is not applicable) 31Annex I-G Form of Inventory of Articles left in Safe Custody The following inventory of articles left in safe custody with _______________________ Branch of _____________________ Bank, by Shri/ Smt./ Kum. ____________________ (deceased), under an agreement/ receipt number _____ dated ________ was taken on this ____________ day of ______________ two thousand__________ Sr. Description of Articles in Safe Custody Other identifying particulars, if any No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 2. The above inventory was taken in the presence of: (i) Nominee or Legal Heirs or Person mandated by Nominee (including Minor Nominee)/ Legal Heirs Shri/ Smt./ Kum. _________________ __________________ Address _______________________ (Signature) Shri/ Smt./ Kum. _________________ __________________ Address ________________________ (Signature) (ii) Witness(es) Shri/ Smt./ Kum. ________________ __________________ Address _______________________ (Signature) Shri/ Smt./ Kum. _________________ __________________ Address ________________________ (Signature) (iii) On behalf of Bank Custodian: 32Shri/ Smt./ Kum. __________________________________ __________________ Address ________________________________________ (Signature) Bank employee other than Custodian: Shri/ Smt./ Kum. __________________________________ ___________________ Address ________________________________________ (Signature) __________________________________________________________________________ ACKNOWLEDGEMENT *I, Shri/ Smt./ Kum. __________________________________ nominee/ legal heir/ mandate holder *We, Shri/ Smt./ Kum. _________________________________ _________________________________ __________________________________ legal heirs, and Shri/ Smt./ Kum. ______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ surviving hirers hereby, acknowledge the receipt of the articles kept in the safe custody comprised in as set out in the above inventory. Shri/ Smt./ Kum ________________________ (Legal Heir/ Mandate Holder) Shri/ Smt./ Kum. ________________________ Signature __________________ Shri/ Smt./ Kum. ________________________ Signature _ __________________ Shri/ Smt./ Kum. _________________________ Signature ___________________ Date and Place ___________________________ (*Delete whichever is not applicable) 33Annex I-H LETTER OF INDEMNITY WITH RESPECT TO DELIVERY OF SAFE DEPOSIT LOCKER/ ARTICLES KEPT IN SAFE CUSTODY BY THE DECEASED CUSTOMER (without production of Legal Documents) (To be stamped as per the Stamp Act applicable to the State) The Branch Manager _________________ Bank _________________ Branch In consideration of your delivering or agreeing to deliver to me/ us, _______________________________ _______________________________ (Heir(s) of the deceased customer) the articles mentioned hereunder: Safe Deposit Locker No./ Safe Details of the Description Weight Custody Article articles Receipt No. and held in the name of Shri/ Smt/ Kum. ___________________________ since deceased, without production of any succession certificate/ letters of administration. I/ We ______________________ and _________________ (Heir(s) of the deceased customer) do hereby for ourselves and our heirs, legal representatives, executors and administrators, jointly and severally undertake and agree to indemnify you, the Bank, and its successors and assigns against all claims, demands, proceedings, losses, damages, charges and expenses which may be raised against you or incurred by you by reason or in consequence of having delivered or agreed to have deliver to me/ us the above mentioned articles of the deceased from the safe deposit locker/ sealed boxes in safe custody. 34Signed and delivered by the above named on this ___________ day of ________ two thousand ___________. SIGNED AND DELIVERED by the above named (1) ____________________________________ (2) ____________________________________ (Heirs of the deceased customer) 35Annex II List of circulars/ Part of the circulars repealed Sl. Circular No. Date Subject No. 1. DBOD.No.Leg.BC.95/ 09/06/2005 Settlement of Claims in respect of 09.07.005/2004-05 Deceased Depositors - Simplification of Procedure 2. RPCD.CO.RF.BC.No.12/ 12/07/2005 Settlement of Claims in respect of 07.38.01/2005-06 Deceased Depositors - Simplification of Procedure 3. UBD.BPD.Cir.No.4/ 14/07/2005 Settlement of Claims in respect of 13.01.00/2005-06 Deceased Depositors - Simplification of Procedure - UCBs 4. RPCD.CO.RRB.BC.22/ 19/07/2005 Settlement of Claims in respect of 03.05.33/2005-06 Deceased Depositors - Simplification of Procedure 5. DBOD.No.Leg.BC.80/ 02/05/2008 Settlement of Claims in respect of 09.07.005/2007-08 Missing Persons 6. UBD (PCB) BPD Cir No:45/ 12/05/2008 Settlement of Claims in respect of 13.01.000/2007-08 Missing Persons 7. RPCD.CO.RF.BC.No.70/ 14/05/2008 Settlement of Claims in respect of 07.38.01/2007-08 Missing Persons 8. RPCD.CO.RRB.BC.No.26/ 12/09/2008 Settlement of Claims in respect of 03.05.33/2008-09 Missing Persons 9. UBD.BPD.(PCB).CIR.No.32/ 21/01/2013 Settlement of Claims in Respect of 13.01.000/2012-13 Deceased Depositors - Simplification of Procedure - UCBs 10. DBOD.No.Leg.BC.48/ 03/09/2013 Settlement of Claims of Deceased 09.07.005/2013-14 Depositor - Simplification of Procedure - Placing of Claim Forms on Bank's Website 11. UBD.BPD.(PCB)CIR 05/09/2013 Settlement of Claims of Deceased No.10/13.01.000/2013-14 Depositor - Simplification of Procedure - Placing of Claim Forms on Bank's Website 12. RPCD.CO.RRB.BC.No.33/ 10/09/2013 Settlement of Claims of Deceased 03.05.33/2013-14 Depositor - Simplification of Procedure - Placing of Claim Forms on Bank's Website 13. RPCD.CO.RCB.BC.No.30/ 10/09/2013 Settlement of Claims of Deceased 07.51.014/2013-14 Depositor - Simplification of Procedure - Placing of claim forms on bank’s Website 14. 18/08/2021 Paragraphs 5.2 and 5.3 of Circular on DOR.LEG.REC/40/ Safe Deposit Locker/Safe Custody 09.07.005/2021-22 Article Facility provided by the banks- Revised Instructions 36