Genealogy report in Finland: what it is and how to get one
A genealogy report (sukuselvitys) proves who the deceased's legal heirs are, and it is a required attachment for the estate inventory in Finland. The report is compiled as a set of official certificates from several registers, and it can also be ordered from abroad.
What is a genealogy report?
A genealogy report (sukuselvitys) is not a single document but a series of official certificates that together form an unbroken chain documenting the deceased person's family relationships. In practice, the chain is required to cover the period from the deceased's 15th birthday until the date of death.
Each certificate shows the person's name, date of birth, marital status, spouse, children, and the dates for which the certificate is valid. Together, the certificates prove who the legal heirs of the deceased are.
Why from age 15? The requirement that the chain of certificates covers from the deceased's 15th birthday is an established administrative practice applied by Finnish authorities and courts. The historical rationale is that marriages, and therefore potential heirs, were possible from that age. Although the current minimum marriage age is 18, the practice has remained. This requirement is not explicitly stated as "from age 15" in the text of the Code of Inheritance itself, but it is consistently required in practice.
Why is it needed?
The genealogy report is a mandatory attachment to the estate inventory deed (perukirja) under the Code of Inheritance (PK 20:5): an extract from church records or the corresponding register showing the surviving spouse and heirs must be attached to the estate inventory deed. Without it, the estate inventory cannot in practice be completed. Banks also require the genealogy report before they allow access to the deceased's accounts.
The report confirms that all heirs have been identified. This protects both the heirs and any third parties dealing with the estate.
Where to order: the Finnish registry system
Finland's population registry is fragmented across several authorities. The correct source for the genealogy report depends on the deceased's religious affiliation and residential history during each period of their life:
Evangelical Lutheran Church (EVL)
The vast majority of Finns have been members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church at some point. The church's regional archive centres (aluekeskusrekisterit) issue certificates for the periods of church membership. This is the most common source. Typical processing time: 2–3 weeks.
Digital and Population Data Services Agency (DVV)
DVV holds records for periods when the deceased was not a member of any church. Since church membership rates have declined in recent decades, DVV certificates are increasingly common. Processing time: 2–6 weeks.
Orthodox Church
For periods of Orthodox Church membership, certificates are obtained from the Orthodox Church's own registry. For the most recent periods, please verify directly with the Orthodox Church or DVV whether records have been transferred, as administrative arrangements may have changed.
National Archives (Kansallisarkisto)
Old church records and records from ceded territories (such as Karelia, which Finland ceded to the Soviet Union after World War II) are held by the National Archives. These certificates can take several weeks.
Swedish authorities
If the deceased lived in Sweden, certificates may be needed from Skatteverket (tax authority, from 1 July 1991 onward) or Riksarkivet (national archives, before 1 July 1991).
How long does it take?
The total time depends on how many authorities are involved. A simple case (one or two authorities) typically takes 3–5 weeks. A complex case (multiple authorities, historical records, Swedish periods) can take 6–10 weeks or longer.
Because the estate inventory must be completed within 3 months of the death, it is advisable to order the genealogy report soon after the death.
Ordering yourself vs. using a service
You can order the genealogy report yourself by contacting each authority separately. This requires identifying the correct authorities, submitting individual orders, following up on each one and verifying that the chain is complete.
If you are unfamiliar with the Finnish system, especially if you live abroad, this can be a time-consuming and confusing process.
Authority processing times are the same regardless of who places the orders. The total time can stretch, however, if certificates are ordered one at a time as each new need becomes clear. When all orders are placed at once, the total time is determined by the slowest authority, and if you know the deceased's register history, you can place the orders in parallel yourself as well.
Alternatively, you can order the report through Sukuselvitys.fi: the correct authorities are identified from the deceased's information, all certificates are ordered, each order is followed up and the completeness of the chain is verified before delivery.
Service fee: from 79 € (incl. VAT 25.5%, 79–159 € depending on the scope of the case). The fee covers determining the deceased's register history, placing the orders with all the authorities involved and verifying that the resulting set is complete. It also includes a completeness guarantee: if anything is missing from the delivered set, it is supplemented free of charge. Authority fees are billed separately at actual cost and depend on the number of certificates needed (typically about 120–250 € in a straightforward case, or 400–800 € for a childless and unmarried deceased). Estate inventory costs are typically settled from the estate's assets. For how specific costs are treated for inheritance tax purposes, please consult a tax adviser or legal professional.
What if you live abroad?
If you are an heir living outside Finland, you can still order the genealogy report. The service works fully online: you fill in the order form with the deceased's basic information, all communication with the Finnish authorities is handled for you and the completed report is delivered to you electronically.
A life certificate (elossaolotodistus) may be required for heirs whose status as living persons does not appear from the deceased's genealogy report. If you live abroad, this certificate may need to be obtained from the registration authority of your country of residence, a notary public, or the Finnish embassy. Please check with the relevant authority for your specific situation.