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Guide · Estate inventory
How much does a genealogy report cost in 2026?
The cost of a genealogy report consists of two parts: a fixed service fee and variable authority fees. The service fee is always the same, but the authority fees depend on several factors. In this article, we explain everything openly.
Published March 2026 · Reading time approx. 4 minutes
Written byRasmus NykänenLawyer
Price summary
When ordering through Sukuselvitys.fi, the pricing is as follows:
Fee
Amount
When invoiced
Service fee (incl. VAT 25.5%)
79.00 €
At the time of order
Paper delivery (optional)
10.00 €
At the time of order
Authority fees
Varies
Invoiced when the report is complete
About authority fees: Authority fees are invoiced to you separately when the genealogy report is complete, at the same time as delivery. We do not add any markup: the fees are exactly the same as if you ordered the documents yourself. You can pay them from the estate's funds.
What does the 79 euro service fee cover?
The service fee is not just a forwarding charge. It covers all the professional work required to compile a complete genealogy report:
Registry history research to determine which registries held the deceased's records throughout their life
Ordering official certificates from all relevant authorities: EVL, DVV, the Orthodox Church, the National Archives, and when needed from Sweden
Tracking orders and communicating with authorities if questions arise during processing
Verifying the complete document set to ensure that everything needed for the estate inventory and bank processing is included: the deceased's unbroken chain from age 15 to death, but also certificates for heirs, spouses, and if needed the deceased's parents
Delivering the completed documents via secure email, and if requested also by post
Family and inheritance law professionals handle every order. You do not need to know which registries are relevant or how to verify the completeness of the documents.
Why can't authority fees be quoted in advance?
Authority fees cannot be stated in advance because the amount depends on how many registries need to be contacted. Each authority has its own price list, and the number of required documents only becomes clear once the registry history has been researched.
Factors affecting authority fees
Residential locations: Each parish or registry keeper charges separately.
Registry keepers: EVL, the Orthodox Church, DVV and the National Archives all have different pricing.
Time period: Digitised records (before 1999) may carry different fees than electronic registry records.
Family situation: If an heir died before the deceased or the deceased was childless, the number of required certificates increases.
Example: Simple case
The deceased lived in the same city their entire life and belonged to the Lutheran church. Typically one genealogy certificate from EVL and possibly one from DVV are needed. Authority fees can be as low as a few dozen euros.
Example: Complex case
The deceased changed register during their lifetime (e.g. left the church), older records are held by the National Archives, and one heir has residential history in Sweden. Orders go to multiple authorities, and fees can reach several hundred euros.
Are genealogy report costs tax-deductible?
Yes. Both the service fee and authority fees are deductible for inheritance tax purposes. They are recorded in the estate inventory deed as estate expenses, not as a personal tax deduction for any individual heir.
Comparison: DIY vs. professional service
When ordering yourself, the authority fees are identical. You save the 79 € service fee, but spend several hours researching registry history, sending orders to different authorities, and tracking progress. The service fee is equivalent to approximately 1–2 hours of professional work.
Remember: The 79 € service fee is tax-deductible for inheritance tax and reimbursable from the estate's assets after probate.
Frequently asked questions
Service fee from 79 € (79–159 € depending on the scope of the case) plus authority fees billed separately at actual cost (typically about 120–250 € in a straightforward case, or 400–800 € for a childless and unmarried deceased). The total depends on how many registries are involved.
Yes. Both the service fee and authority fees are deducted from the estate's assets before inheritance tax is assessed. They are recorded in the estate inventory deed as estate expenses.
DIY saves the 79 € fee, but authority fees are the same. The time investment is often significant, as the research takes weeks and requires dealing with multiple authorities.
The 79 € service fee is a fixed one-time payment including VAT. On top of that we only invoice the actual authority fees that arose. We do not charge hourly add-ons even if the registry history turns out to be complex or requires several follow-up requests.