[Code of Federal Regulations] [Title 25, Volume 1] [Revised as of April 1, 2005] From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access [CITE: 25CFR15.101] [Page 66] TITLE 25--INDIANS CHAPTER I--BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR PART 15_PROBATE OF INDIAN ESTATES, EXCEPT FOR MEMBERS OF THE FIVE CIVILIZED TRIBES--Table of Contents Subpart B_Starting the Probate Process Sec. 15.101 How do I begin the BIA probate process? As soon as possible you should contact the nearest BIA agency or regional office where the decedent was enrolled to inform us of the decedent's death. (a) You should provide a certified copy of the death certificate, if one exists. (b) If a death certificate does not exist, you should provide an affidavit of death prepared by the tribe with whom the decedent was associated or someone who knows about the decedent's death that specifies what is known about the date and cause of the decedent's death. A copy of any supporting documents that may be available, such as an obituary or death notice or a church or court record, should be provided along with the affidavit.