• If the bank deposits are inherited by multiple heirs, the bank will require all heirs to appear and handle the procedure together. The heirs cannot each handle the process separately. If some heirs are unable to appear for any reason, the required documents will differ depending on whether they reside in Taiwan or abroad.
  • For those residing in Taiwan：

1. The principal’s inheritance application form, national ID card, seal registration certificate, and power of attorney. The seal affixed must match the seal registration certificate issued by the Household Registration Office. The format of the power of attorney differs from bank to bank, so the form must be downloaded from each bank.
2. The authorized representative’s national ID card and seal, which must be the registered seal recorded with the Household Registration Office.

• For those residing abroad：

1. A letter of authorization, or power of attorney, signed by the local Taiwan overseas mission, or verified by an institution established or designated by the Executive Yuan or by an entrusted private organization, such as the Straits Exchange Foundation.
2. The seal of each principal.
3. The authorized representative’s national ID card and seal.

• To handle bank deposit inheritance, the following documents must be prepared：

1. Bank deposit inheritance application form, including the inheritance system chart.
2. Deposit documents, such as a passbook or certificate of deposit.
3. Household registration transcripts or household certificates that can confirm all legal heirs, with notes included.
4. Estate tax payment certificate or tax exemption certificate. This is not required if the inherited deposit amount is NT$200,000 or less.
5. Documents proving the decedent’s death, such as a death certificate, a household deregistration transcript issued within the past three months, or a court judgment declaring death.
6. The national ID cards and seals of all heirs if the matter is handled by authorization. If the heirs handle the matter in person, they may sign personally.
7. Official court letter approving the inheritance waiver for recordation, if any heir has chosen to claim inheritance waiver with the court.
8. Power of attorney and seal registration certificate, if any heir is unable to appear on site to handle the procedure together.
9. Overseas power of attorney verified by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office.

• For inheritance of small deposits with a relatively low amount, such as NT$30,000 or less, subject to each bank’s actual rules, an article on this website has mentioned: “Seal registration certificates from all heirs are not required. It is sufficient for one heir to sign an affidavit as the representative.”
• After preparing the documents listed above, the heir may fill out a small deposit inheritance affidavit at the bank. The documents under Item 6, namely the identity documents and registered seals of all heirs, do not need to be prepared.

2. Is there a deadline for bank deposit inheritance, or a deadline for closing a deceased person’s bank account? The answer is: “There is no specific inheritance deadline.”

• Therefore, if a family member passes away and the account is not closed, there is generally no immediate consequence. However, this usually occurs with accounts that have only a small deposit balance.
• In fact, movable property such as stocks, funds, and safe deposit boxes is also not subject to any time limit for inheritance. Uninherited property will still remain under the deceased person’s name.
• Only real estate inheritance transfer must be completed within six months from the decedent’s death, unless there is a reason not attributable to the applicant. If there is a reason not attributable to the applicant, that period may be deducted. For example, in cases involving an extension for estate tax filing, an application to the court for inheritance waiver, a special representative, or guardianship declaration, when calculating the overdue fine for inheritance registration, the applicant may claim deduction of the application period to reduce or exempt the fine.
• If real estate inheritance registration is not completed for more than one year, and after public notice by the land administration authority no heir still applies for registration, the land administration authority will list the land and building for management for 15 years. After the period expires, the National Property Administration will publicly auction the property. The auction proceeds will be preserved for 10 years, and if no one claims them, they will belong to the national treasury, meaning they will be confiscated by the state.