Inheriting a German Bank Account – Guide for U.S. Heirs

Inheriting a German bank account is not as simple as presenting a will. German banks follow strict legal formalities and will freeze accounts until the required documentation, most often the Erbschein (Certificate of Inheritance), is submitted.

U.S. heirs should prepare the following documents:

• Death certificate – translated into German and apostilled

• Proof of identity and legal relationship to the deceased

• Erbschein or equivalent notarized proof of inheritance

• Finanzrechtliche Unbedenklichkeitsbescheinigung (German tax clearance certificate)

Once the bank verifies these documents, it can release the funds, close the account, or transfer the balance to an international account.

At the German American Law Center PLC, our German-American legal team, working in partnership with our German office, Rechtsanwaltskanzlei PECHER, handles the entire process directly with German banks. This minimizes the risk of paperwork rejection, avoids costly delays, and ensures your inheritance is processed efficiently.

If you’ve inherited German assets or expect to, don’t leave the process to chance. Contact the German American Law Center PLC ( 📞 +1.989.687.5255) or Rechtsanwaltskanzlei PECHER (📞+49.351.454099.11) today to receive expert legal guidance and ensure your rights are fully recognized under German law.