Documents Needed to Report a Deceased Estate in South Africa (2026 Checklist)
Quick summary
Reporting a deceased estate to the Master of the High Court needs a specific set of documents — the reporting pack. The pack you need depends on whether the estate falls under section 14 (Letters of Executorship — estates of R250,000 or more) or section 18(3) (Letters of Authority — small estates).
This checklist covers every document you need, where to get it, whether the original or a certified copy is required, and the most common reasons each one gets rejected.
The two reporting packs
| Pack | When used | Time to issue |
|---|---|---|
| Section 14 — Letters of Executorship | Estates of R250,000+ or any property in deceased’s sole name | 8–12 weeks |
| Section 18(3) — Letters of Authority | Small estates under R250,000, no property | 3–6 weeks |
Both packs include some of the same documents, but the section 14 pack is significantly more detailed.
Documents about the deceased
1. Unabridged death certificate (BI-132)
Required for: Both packs
Original or certified copy? Certified copy
Where to get it: Home Affairs, on application form BI-130
Cost: R75
Time: 6–8 weeks
The most important single document. The abridged BI-5 handed out by the funeral director is not enough — the Master requires the full BI-132 which includes cause of death and identifying particulars.
Order the BI-132 the same week you arrange the funeral. Most estate delays trace back to a late application for this certificate.
2. Certified copy of deceased’s ID
Required for: Both packs
Original or certified copy? Certified copy (Commissioner of Oaths or SAPS)
Where to get it: From the deceased’s home, safe, or wallet
Cost: Cost of certification (R0 at SAPS)
If the original ID was destroyed or lost, apply at Home Affairs for a certified copy of the ID record (DHA-9). Takes 2–3 weeks.
3. Original will (if any)
Required for: Both packs (where one exists)
Original or certified copy? Original. Photocopies are not accepted.
Where to get it:
– The deceased’s home safe or filing cabinet
– A safety deposit box at the bank
– The office of the attorney who drafted it
– The trust department of FNB, Standard Bank, ABSA, Nedbank or Sanlam
– A drawer, a folder, anywhere — search thoroughly
If the original is genuinely lost, a separate declaration of lost will application under section 2A of the Wills Act is needed. This is a High Court application — get an attorney.
4. Marriage certificate
Required for: Both packs, if married
Original or certified copy? Certified copy
Where to get it: Home Affairs (form BI-130) if missing
Cost: R75
Time: 2–4 weeks
Must show the deceased’s name as it appears on the death certificate. If the deceased’s surname changed during marriage, the certificate must support the chain (or an affidavit must explain it).
5. Antenuptial contract (ANC)
Required for: Both packs, if married out of community of property
Original or certified copy? Certified copy from the Deeds Office
Where to get it: First, the conveyancing attorney who drafted the marriage. If lost, the Deeds Office search service (Pretoria).
Cost: R75
Time: 1–2 weeks
If you do not know whether the deceased had an ANC, search for it before lodging. Marriage in community of property changes who inherits — getting this wrong means the pack is rejected.
6. Divorce decree
Required for: Both packs, if previously divorced
Original or certified copy? Certified copy
Where to get it: The High Court that granted the divorce
Cost: Court fee (~R100)
If the deceased was divorced and the will pre-dates the divorce, the will may have been varied by the divorce. The Master needs to see the decree.
Documents about the assets
7. Bank statements
Required for: Both packs
Original or certified copy? Plain printed statement (not certified)
Where to get it: Online banking, or the bank branch
Cost: R0 (online) / R20 per page (branch)
You need the last 3 months of statements for each account, plus a balance confirmation for the date of death. The Master uses these to verify the inventory.
8. Title deeds (for property)
Required for: Section 14 pack only, if property
Original or certified copy? Either — Master accepts a Deeds Office search printout
Where to get it: Deeds Office, Pretoria
Cost: R75 per property
Time: 1–2 weeks
For property owned in the deceased’s sole name. Joint property still needs a search to confirm the deceased’s half-share.
9. Vehicle registration documents
Required for: Both packs, if vehicles
Original or certified copy? Plain copy of the registration certificate
Where to get it: The deceased’s home, or via the NaTIS system
Cost: R0 (home) / R50 (NaTIS print)
Confirm the vehicle is in the deceased’s name, with a current licence disc. If the licence is expired, the executor must renew it before transfer.
10. Investment statements
Required for: Both packs, if investments
Original or certified copy? Plain printed statement
Where to get it: The investment company (Sanlam, Old Mutual, Allan Gray, etc.)
Cost: R0
Each investment needs a date-of-death valuation. The investment company will provide this on request once they receive the death certificate.
11. Life-insurance policy statements
Required for: Both packs, if policies
Original or certified copy? Plain printed statement
Where to get it: The insurer
For each policy, you need to identify whether it pays to a named beneficiary (paid directly, not part of the estate) or to the estate (paid into the Estate Late account, included in inventory).
12. Pension fund / retirement annuity statements
Required for: Both packs, if applicable
Original or certified copy? Plain printed statement
Where to get it: The fund administrator
Most pension fund payouts go directly to dependants (section 37C of the Pension Funds Act) and do not form part of the estate. The fund makes this decision — the executor does not control it. Still include the policy details in the inventory for completeness.
Documents about the heirs
13. Certified IDs of all heirs
Required for: Both packs
Original or certified copy? Certified copy
Where to get it: From each heir
Cost: R0 at SAPS
Every person named in the will, or every intestate heir, must provide a certified ID. If an heir is a minor, provide their birth certificate instead.
14. Next-of-kin information
Required for: Section 14 pack, if no will
Form: J155 next-of-kin affidavit
Original or certified copy? Original, signed in front of a Commissioner of Oaths
Who signs: An adult next-of-kin who knew the deceased’s family
Lists all surviving spouse, children (living and predeceased), parents (if no descendants), and other relatives. Verified by family records and, where needed, Home Affairs searches.
15. Contact details for each heir
Required for: Practical purposes
Format: A simple list
Phone number, email, postal address. Needed for the executor’s communication and for the L&D account distribution.
Documents about the executor
16. Certified ID of executor
Required for: Both packs
Original or certified copy? Certified copy
Where to get it: Home / wallet, certified at SAPS
17. Proof of address (executor)
Required for: Both packs
Original or certified copy? A recent utility bill or bank statement, not older than 3 months
Where to get it: Home
The Master needs to know where to send correspondence.
18. Acceptance of trust as executor (J190)
Required for: Section 14 pack
Original or certified copy? Original, signed in front of a Commissioner of Oaths
Who signs: You as executor
Your formal acceptance of the appointment. Without it, no Letters of Executorship.
19. Acceptance of trust as Master’s representative
Required for: Section 18(3) pack
Original or certified copy? Original
Who signs: The person nominated as representative
The section 18(3) equivalent of the J190.
20. Executor’s bond (where required)
Required for: Section 14 pack, where executor is not exempted in will
Original or certified copy? Original
Where to get it: A surety company (Lombards, Hollard, Bryte)
Cost: 1–2% of estate value
Time: 1–2 weeks
Only required if the will does not exempt the executor from security, or if the executor is not the surviving spouse, child or parent of the deceased.
The forms
21. J294 — death notice
Required for: Both packs
Where to get it: Master’s Office or DoJ website
Signed by: An informant — adult who knew the deceased personally
Witnessed by: Commissioner of Oaths
The foundational form. Captures the deceased’s personal details, marital history, and family.
22. J243 — inventory of estate
Required for: Both packs
Where to get it: Master’s Office or DoJ website
Signed by: Executor or representative
Lists every asset at date-of-death value. The total here determines whether the estate qualifies for section 18(3) or requires section 14.
23. Section 18(3) cover letter
Required for: Section 18(3) pack only
Format: Plain letter to the Master applying for Letters of Authority
Signed by: Proposed representative
24. J155 — next-of-kin affidavit
Required for: Section 14 pack, if no will
Where to get it: Master’s Office or DoJ website
Signed by: Adult next-of-kin
Witnessed by: Commissioner of Oaths
Certification — who can certify
A certified copy must bear the stamp and signature of a person authorised to commission oaths or certify copies. The following are authorised:
- South African Police Service members (any rank)
- Postmasters
- Bank managers (some, but check)
- Attorneys, advocates and notaries (in their professional capacity)
- Magistrates and Justices of the Peace
- Commissioner of Oaths appointment-holders
Most SAPS stations will certify at no charge. Take the original and the copy — they verify the copy against the original, stamp and sign.
The same person can usually commission oaths (e.g. on the J294) and certify copies. Confirm before you sit down for the affidavit.
Where families lose time
Estate delays cluster around three documents:
- Unabridged death certificate — order from Home Affairs the week of the funeral. 6–8 weeks lead time.
- Antenuptial contract — most families do not know one exists. Search before lodging.
- Original will — banks and attorneys hold many wills. Phone every bank the deceased used.
Save weeks by attacking these three first.
Estate value affects what you lodge
The threshold for section 18(3) is less than R250,000 gross value. If the inventory comes in at or above R250,000, the entire pack must be re-prepared under section 14 — different forms, more documents, executor’s bond. Get the value right before deciding which pack to lodge.
Frequently asked questions
What if a document is missing?
The Master accepts a sworn affidavit explaining the absence and what efforts were made to find it. This works for marriage certificates, ANCs, and some identification documents — not for the death certificate or original will.
Do I need original or copies?
Originals: will, J294 (affidavit), J190 (affidavit), executor’s bond.
Certified copies: death certificate, ID, marriage certificate, ANC, IDs of heirs.
Plain copies: bank statements, investment statements, vehicle papers.
When in doubt, certify.
Do all the documents need to be in English?
Documents in any official South African language are accepted. Other languages must be translated by a sworn translator. The translation is lodged with the original, not in place of it.
What if there are multiple wills?
Lodge the most recent valid will. If you are not sure which is most recent, lodge all of them and let the Master decide. This is rare and best handled by an attorney.
Can I lodge without all documents?
Yes — partial lodgement is accepted. The Master holds the file and issues a letter of requirements listing what is still needed. Better to lodge complete the first time, but partial lodgement saves time if one document (like the BI-132) is the only thing outstanding.
How MasterAssistant can help
We offer fixed-fee document review and reporting pack preparation:
- Document review & checklist — R650. We confirm which pack applies, list missing documents, give you the BI-130 / Deeds search instructions.
- Reporting pack — small estate — R2,500. We draft J294, J243, section 18(3) cover letter and acceptance forms.
- Reporting pack — full estate — R4,500. We draft J294, J190, J243, J155 if needed, and supporting affidavits.
Download our free deceased estate document checklist — a printable tick-list of every document needed.
Need help compiling the pack? Call 087 001 0733 or start online. Free 10-minute call to confirm which pack you need.
Last updated: 17 May 2026. Documents and forms listed are those used by the Master of the High Court Pretoria in 2026. Form versions occasionally change — confirm with the Master before lodging.