Managing an international inheritance is often more complex than handling an inheritance within a single country. There may be heirs living in different countries, assets located abroad, documents issued in another language, or procedures involving notaries, registries, banks, consulates, and government authorities in multiple jurisdictions.

In the middle of all this, one common question usually arises: which documents do I need, and which ones must be translated? In many cases, if the document is written in a language different from the one accepted by the authority reviewing it, you will need a certified translation.

At Easytrads, we encounter this situation frequently. Families often need to submit certificates, wills, powers of attorney, property deeds, or banking documents and are unsure whether a standard translation is sufficient. Let’s organise everything in a practical way.

What Is an International Inheritance?

An international inheritance is one that involves more than one country. This may happen because the deceased person lived abroad, owned assets in another country, the heirs reside overseas, or the required documents were issued by foreign authorities.

For example, it may involve a property in Spain inherited by someone living in another country, a foreign bank account, a will signed outside Spain, or a death certificate issued in another language.

In these situations, the documentation must be properly understood and accepted in the country where the inheritance process takes place. This is where apostilles, legalisation, and certified translations become essential.

Essential Documents for an International Inheritance

The exact documents required may vary depending on the country, notary, bank, or public authority involved. However, there are several documents that commonly appear in most international inheritance cases.

Death Certificate

The death certificate officially confirms the person’s death. It is one of the most important documents required to begin any inheritance procedure.

If the certificate was issued abroad and must be presented in Spain, you may need a certified translation into Spanish. Likewise, if it was issued in Spain and needs to be presented abroad, it may have to be translated into the language of the destination country. For this type of document, you can visit our certified translation of certificates section.

Will or Declaration of Heirs

If there is a will, it will normally need to be submitted. If no will exists, a declaration of heirs or an equivalent legal document may be required depending on the country.

These documents usually contain legal terminology, names, dates, family relationships, and provisions regarding assets. Therefore, when they are written in another language, a certified translation is generally required.

Birth, Marriage, and Family Relationship Certificates

In many inheritance cases, it is necessary to prove the relationship between the deceased person and the heirs. This may require birth certificates, marriage certificates, family record books, or other documents establishing family relationships.

If you need to translate this type of documentation, you can go directly to services such as birth certificate or marriage certificate.

Documents Related to Assets, Accounts, and Property

In addition to proving the death and identifying the heirs, it is also necessary to identify the assets that form part of the inheritance.

Property Deeds, Land Registry Records, and Real Estate Documents

If the inheritance includes houses, commercial premises, land, or other real estate located in another country, property deeds, land registry records, purchase agreements, cadastral certificates, or notarial documents may be required.

In these situations, a certified translation may be necessary to present the documents before a notary, land registry, court, or foreign public authority.

Bank Certificates, Statements, and Life Insurance Documents

Banks and insurance companies are also frequently involved. They may require account ownership certificates, balance certificates, bank statements, account records, life insurance documents, or other financial documentation.

These documents contain sensitive information, making confidentiality and security especially important. At Easytrads, you can manage these cases through our business and financial documents section.

Tax Documents and Proof of Tax Payments

An international inheritance may also involve tax payment receipts, tax returns, tax assessments, asset valuation reports, or tax residency certificates.

Before translating these documents, it is advisable to check exactly what the relevant authority requires, as not every document always needs to be translated—only those that will be officially submitted.

When Do You Need a Certified Translation for an International Inheritance?

You need a certified translation when an inheritance document is written in a language different from the one accepted by the authority reviewing it and official legal validity is required.

This may apply to foreign documents submitted in Spain or Spanish documents presented in another country. It can also apply when dealing with notaries, registries, banks, courts, consulates, or tax authorities.

A certified translation is not simply an informative translation. It is prepared by an authorised sworn translator and includes the translator’s signature, stamp, and certification, allowing it to be used in official legal procedures.

Apostille, Legalisation, and Certified Translation: What to Check First

Another common question in international inheritance cases is: should I obtain the apostille first, or translate the document first?

The answer depends on the document and the country involved. In some situations, the foreign document must first be apostilled or legalised before it can be submitted. If the apostille forms part of the document being presented, it is generally advisable to translate it as well.

For this reason, before requesting a translation, check whether the receiving authority requires an apostille or legalisation. If your document has already been apostilled, you can request the certified translation of the apostille together with the rest of the document.

Quick Reference Table: Common Documents in an International Inheritance

Document	Typical Purpose	When to Translate It
Death certificate	To officially confirm the death	If it is written in another language
Will	To prove the deceased’s wishes	If it must be submitted officially
Family certificates	To prove family relationship	For notaries, registries, or consulates
Property deeds	To prove ownership of real estate	If assets are located in another country
Banking documents	To identify accounts, balances, or funds	For banks or public authorities
Apostille	To validate documents internationally	If it forms part of the application

How to Request a Certified Translation Online

Requesting a certified translation for an international inheritance does not have to make the process more complicated. At Easytrads, you can do everything online: upload your document as a PDF or a clear photograph, review the price before making payment, and receive your official translation.

You can begin through our Certified Translation Store or, if your document is not listed in the catalogue, use our Certified Translation for Other Documents service.

The standard turnaround time is generally 48–72 hours. If you have a notary appointment, a banking deadline, or another urgent requirement, you can also check our urgent certified translation service, available for many document types depending on the language and length.

Common Mistakes When Preparing International Inheritance Documents

One of the most common mistakes is submitting incomplete documents. In inheritance procedures, a single page, signature, stamp, or attachment may be essential.

Another frequent mistake is failing to check whether an apostille is required before requesting the translation. If the receiving authority requires the document to be apostilled first, translating an earlier version may mean repeating the entire process.

It is also important to avoid using non-certified translations when official legal validity is required. It may appear to be a faster solution, but if the authority rejects the translation, valuable time will be lost.

Frequently Asked Questions About International Inheritance Documents

Which documents are usually required for an international inheritance?

Death certificates, wills, declarations of heirs, family certificates, property deeds, banking documents, insurance documents, powers of attorney, and tax records.

Does a death certificate need to be translated?

Yes, if it is written in another language and must be submitted to an authority that requires an official certified translation.

Is a digitally signed PDF certified translation accepted?

Yes, for many online procedures. If the notary, bank, or public authority requires a printed copy, you can also request delivery in paper format.

Can I request an urgent certified translation?

Yes. Easytrads offers an urgent service for many document types, depending on the language, document length, and translator availability.

Translate Your International Inheritance Documents with Easytrads

If you are managing an international inheritance and need to translate certificates, wills, property deeds, apostilles, or banking documents, we can help. We work with authorised sworn translators, handle your documents confidentially, and guide you if you have any questions about turnaround times, delivery formats, or document requirements.

You can upload your files through the Easytrads Store or contact us via our Contact page if your case involves multiple documents or you need advice before getting started.