Genealogy report in Finland — what it is and how to get one
The genealogy report (sukuselvitys) is the most important document you need for an estate inventory in Finland. It proves who the legal heirs are. This guide explains what the report contains, where it comes from and how to order it, especially if you live 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. This is essential for the estate inventory.
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 be completed. Banks also require the genealogy report before they allow access to the deceased's accounts.
The report ensures that all heirs are identified and that no one is excluded from the inheritance. 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.
Since the estate inventory deadline is 3 months, it is essential to order the genealogy report immediately after the death occurs.
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.
Alternatively, a service like Sukuselvitys.fi handles the entire process: we identify the correct authorities based on the deceased's information, order all certificates, follow up with each authority and verify the chain is complete before delivery.
Service fee: 79 € (incl. VAT 25.5%). Authority fees are billed separately and depend on the number of certificates needed (typically 135–425 €). Reasonable estate inventory costs are reimbursable from the estate's assets under the Code of Inheritance, which means these costs are generally borne by the estate rather than by individual heirs personally. Please consult a tax adviser regarding the treatment of specific costs for inheritance tax purposes.
What if you live abroad?
If you are an heir living outside Finland, you can still order the genealogy report. Our service is fully online. You fill in the order form with the deceased's basic information and we handle all communication with Finnish authorities. 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.
Frequently asked questions
We handle the certificates so you don't have to
We identify the correct authorities, order all required certificates and verify the complete document set. You can focus on everything else. Service fee €79, government fees according to actual costs.
Order genealogy report — 79 €