How to Find Out If an Inheritance Case Is Open in Ukraine 2026: Online Portals, Deadlines, and Notary Regulations

The loss of a relative is a difficult time, which also brings numerous legal responsibilities. For those who have relatives in Ukraine, one of the most pressing legal questions is: how to find out if an inheritance case is already open, whether a will exists, and which notary is handling the estate?

As of August 2026, Ukraine operates a highly digitalized notary registry system, allowing heirs to perform initial checks online. This article provides a comprehensive guide on checking inheritance status, the strict 6-month deadline, and how the Supreme Court of Ukraine protects heirs' rights.

1. The Crucial Rule: The 6-Month Deadline

Under Ukrainian civil law, heirs have exactly 6 months from the date of the deceased's death to file a claim.

Please note: the 6-month period is the deadline to submit the initial application to accept or decline the inheritance, not the timeline for receiving final ownership certificates. An important update for 2026: martial law does not extend the inheritance deadline. Previous temporary extensions have been revoked by the Ministry of Justice. If you miss this window, your only option will be to petition a Ukrainian court to grant an extension, which requires proving "insurmountable and objective difficulties".

2. Checking Inheritance Status Online via the Official Portal

To simplify the process and support citizens (especially those residing abroad), the Notary Chamber of Ukraine (NPU) launched a free, public portal: rs.npu.ua ("Search for Heirs"). Historically, notaries published notices to find heirs in physical state newspapers like Uryadovyi Kuryer. Today, all public notifications are online, forming a single national database.

How to Search the Online Registry

1. Go to the official website: https://rs.npu.ua/.

2. Enter the last name of the deceased in Ukrainian.

3. If a case has been opened and the notary is looking for heirs, the active notice will appear.

4. The system will display the notary's name, office address, contact details, and a "Respond to Announcement" button.

3. Checking the Closed State Inheritance Register

The public search on rs.npu.ua only displays cases where the notary actively initiated a search for missing heirs. If other relatives opened the case but did not request a public notice, it won't appear on the public website. To get a definitive answer, you should consult any practicing notary in Ukraine. Notaries have secure access to the centralized State Inheritance Register.

Documents Required for a Notary Search

• Your passport and tax ID (TIN);

• The death certificate of the deceased (original or copy);

• Proof of relationship (birth or marriage certificates, etc.).

The notary will search the official state database. If the case is already open, they will provide the contact information of the specific notary handling the file. If no case is open, you can initiate it immediately with the notary you visited.

4. "First Come, First Served" Notary Choice Rule

Under Ukrainian law, only one inheritance case can be opened in Ukraine for a deceased person. This case must be registered within the notary district of the deceased's last registered place of residence. This creates a critical tactical rule:

• The heir who is the first to file an application chooses the notary who will manage the entire estate.

• All other heirs must submit their claims to this chosen notary.

The law prohibits transferring an active case to another notary. Therefore, it is highly recommended to act promptly and open the case with a trusted, professional notary of your choosing.

5. Landmark Supreme Court Rulings Protecting Heirs

According to Article 63 of the Law of Ukraine "On Notary", a notary who receives notice of an inheritance is legally obligated to notify heirs whose place of residence or work is known. They can also summon heirs via public newspapers or digital platforms. If a notary neglects this duty, heirs have strong grounds for appeal.

Supreme Court of Ukraine Precedent (Case № 703/4978/19)

The Supreme Court ruled that if a notary was aware of a will but failed to take active steps to contact the designated heir (such as sending a letter or publishing a notice on rs.npu.ua), this failure constitutes a valid and respectful reason for missing the 6-month deadline. Based on this precedent, courts routinely rule in favor of heirs, granting them an additional 2-month window to submit their claims.

Conclusion & Legal Assistance

Inheritance procedures in Ukraine require strict adherence to timelines. Missing a deadline or choosing the wrong representative can lead to costly and stressful litigation.

Contact our notary office in Kyiv! We will instantly check the Ukrainian State Inheritance Register for active files or wills. If no case has been opened yet, we will help you initiate it smoothly, providing expert legal support, premium service, and complete security for your family's assets. Also check out these sections: opening an inheritance case, application for acceptance of inheritance and certificate of inheritance by will.