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Tracking Deceased Estates in South Africa 2026

Not only can you report deceased estates online these days, but also deceased estates can be tracked online; the Master’s Office has a case management system which allows public access through a portal. You can use the online system to determine which Master's Office is administering the deceased estate. The system allows a "Deceased Search" using one or more of the following details: Deceased's Surname, Deceased's First Names, ID number, date of birth, a range for Date of Death, the Master's Office and Place of Death, Estate File Number and Estate Status. The system returns same and Estate Type and a URN code (Unique Reference Number).

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Example

So, for example, if you search for "Nelson Mandela" you get the following result:

• Surname: Mandela
• First name: Nelson Rolihlahla
• Identity passport number: 1807185276083
• Date of death: 2013/12/05
• Estate type: Executorship
• Status: Registered
• Estate file number: 002645/2014
• Master's office: Johannesburg Masters Office
• Master representative / Executor
  • Clement Temba Sangoni
  • George Bizos
  • Dikgang Ernest Moseneke

Looking for a tax number

The executor can contact SARS who should be able to provide the tax number; alternatively the executor could contact the deceased's old employer who might still have the tax number on record. Note that a deceased estate can be reported to the Master without the tax number.   

Deceased Estate Information

If a relative has died, perhaps without a will, and you are unsure of what do:

• Report deceased estate to the Master online
• Steps to take when your parent dies without a will.
  • Applying for a death certificate
  • J192 form - next-of-kin
  • Nomination to act as executor
• Lawyers in Cape Town specialising in deceased estates.
• Administrators in Cape Town for deceased estates .
• Letter of executorship requirements in South Africa.
  • J192 form - next-of-kin (if no will)
  • Nomination to act as executor (if no will)
  • J190 form assistance
• Administration of deceased estates in South Africa.
• Property transfer cost in a deceased estate.
• Inheritance and child maintenance obligations.
• Intestate Succession Act
• Tracking deceased estates
• Death of a spouse before divorce if finalised

Wills

• How to write a will.
• Example of a last will and testament.
• Get your will drafted for free (by a lawyer).
• List of lawyers that draft wills in Cape Town.
• Consider updating your will when these events occur:
  • when divorcing; to avoid your ex-spouse possibly inheriting everything.
  • death of somebody mentioned in your will,
  • the birth of a child you may want to include in your will,
  • marriages

Connect with a Deceased Estate Expert today

Deceased Estate discussion forum

Note that this is a public forum - exercise caution before acting on info and use at own risk. Anybody may ask and answer, and you don't know what their level of expertise is. No information on this website should be acted on without first consulting with a lawyer to test its validity. Do not share private details here.