Call the bank's estate services line to report the death. They will freeze the account to protect...

Call the bank's estate services line to report the death. They will freeze the account to protect the funds while you gather paperwork.

You will need a certified death certificate, your photo ID, and (for sole accounts) Letters Testa...

You will need a certified death certificate, your photo ID, and (for sole accounts) Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration from probate court.

Joint accounts with rights of survivorship transfer automatically. The surviving owner just needs...

Joint accounts with rights of survivorship transfer automatically. The surviving owner just needs a death certificate to update the account.

Accounts with a payable-on-death beneficiary bypass probate entirely. The beneficiary claims the ...

Accounts with a payable-on-death beneficiary bypass probate entirely. The beneficiary claims the funds with a death certificate and their ID.

Before closing anything, check for autopay, direct deposits, and pending transactions that could ...

Before closing anything, check for autopay, direct deposits, and pending transactions that could bounce or trigger fees.

How to Close a Bank Account After Someone Dies

Last reviewed: March 2026

Key takeaways

Call the bank's estate services line to report the death. They will freeze the account to protect the funds while you gather paperwork.
You will need a certified death certificate, your photo ID, and (for sole accounts) Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration from probate court.
Joint accounts with rights of survivorship transfer automatically. The surviving owner just needs a death certificate to update the account.
Accounts with a payable-on-death beneficiary bypass probate entirely. The beneficiary claims the funds with a death certificate and their ID.
Before closing anything, check for autopay, direct deposits, and pending transactions that could bounce or trigger fees.

What to do before you call the bank

Stop and check three things before you pick up the phone. Skipping these creates problems that are harder to fix later.

Check how the account is owned. Look at the most recent statement or log into online banking if you have access. There are three types:

Joint account with rights of survivorship. The surviving owner automatically gets full control. You just need a death certificate to remove the deceased's name.
Payable-on-death (POD) account. The named beneficiary claims the funds directly. No probate needed.
Sole account with no beneficiary. This goes through probate. You will need Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration from the court before the bank releases anything.

Check for autopay and direct deposits. Review the last two months of statements for recurring charges (insurance premiums, subscriptions, utilities) and incoming deposits (Social Security, pension, payroll). These do not stop automatically when someone dies. Social Security payments received after the date of death will be reclaimed by the government.

Gather your documents. Every bank will ask for some combination of these:

Certified death certificate (not a photocopy)
Your government-issued photo ID
The deceased's Social Security number and account numbers
Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration (for sole accounts)
The will or trust document (if one exists)

For a detailed explanation of account types, ownership rules, and what happens with investment accounts, credit cards, and loans, see our complete guide to closing financial accounts after a death.

Chase

Estate Services: 1-866-926-6909 (Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 7 PM ET)

Chase also handles estate notifications online at chase.com/personal/estate-services, or you can visit any branch in person. Anyone can report the death, regardless of their relationship to the account holder.

After you notify them, Chase sends an estate services kit with forms to complete. You can submit documents online, by mail, or by fax.

For other Chase account types:

Auto loans: 1-877-828-4771 (Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5:30 PM ET)
Home lending: 1-866-299-6752 (Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 8 PM ET)
J.P. Morgan investments: 1-800-648-4782 (Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 8 PM ET; Saturday, 8 AM to 6 PM ET)

Chase Ultimate Rewards points are automatically redeemed as a cash statement credit at 1 cent per point when they are notified of the death. That credit becomes part of the estate balance.

Bank of America

Estate Servicing Operations: 1-888-689-4466 (Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 8 PM ET)

You can also notify Bank of America online at bankofamerica.com/estateservices, or visit any financial center in person (scheduling an appointment is recommended).

When you call, have the deceased's full legal name and Social Security number ready. Bank of America will identify all accounts linked to that person and walk you through what is needed for each one.

Wells Fargo

Estate Care Center: 1-888-790-7980

Wells Fargo offers multiple ways to submit estate documents:

Online: Through their notification form at wellsfargo.com (search "estate services"), where you can upload the death certificate and other documents
By mail: Wells Fargo Bank N.A., Estate Care Center, Attention: D1118-02D, PO Box 71208, Charlotte, NC 28201-1245
Overnight delivery: Wells Fargo Bank N.A., Estate Care Center, Attention: D1118-02D, 12301 Vance Davis Drive, Charlotte, NC 28269-7699
Fax: 1-866-358-1145
In person: Any Wells Fargo branch (schedule an appointment under "death of a loved one")

For other Wells Fargo account types:

Brokerage accounts (Wells Fargo Advisors): 1-800-603-1584
WellsTrade accounts: 1-800-662-8211
Private Bank accounts: 1-877-646-8560

If the deceased was receiving federal benefits by direct deposit (Social Security, VA), Wells Fargo may need to return payments received after the date of death before releasing funds. This process is called reclamation and can delay account closure.

Citibank

Estate Servicing Center: 1-833-956-0413 (Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 9 PM ET)

You can also visit any Citibank branch for assistance.

Citibank places a hold on individual accounts once notified of the death. The Estate Servicing Center will walk the executor or administrator through next steps for each account type.

For Citi credit cards, ThankYou points must be redeemed for cash rewards by the estate representative within one year of the cardholder's death. After that, they expire.

US Bank

Customer service (handles estate inquiries): 1-800-872-2657 (available 24 hours)

Ask for the Life Events Team when you call. They specialize in guiding families through the account resolution process. You can also visit any US Bank branch.

US Bank does not have a separate dedicated estate services department like some larger banks. The Life Events Team handles everything through the general customer service line.

For accounts with a payable-on-death beneficiary, the beneficiary claims the funds by presenting a death certificate and signing an affidavit.

Common problems to watch for

These are the issues that catch people off guard after reporting a death to the bank.

Debit cards stop working immediately. Once the bank is notified, any debit cards linked to a sole account are deactivated. If bills were being paid with that card, they will start bouncing. Make a list of autopay charges before you call.
Social Security claws back payments. Benefits deposited after the date of death must be returned. The bank may freeze the equivalent amount until the reclamation process is complete. This can tie up funds for weeks.
Power of attorney is no longer valid. A POA expires the moment the person dies. Even if you had full power of attorney during their life, you cannot use it to access their accounts after death. You need Letters Testamentary or to be a joint owner or named beneficiary.
Some banks release funeral funds early. If you need money from a sole account to pay for the funeral before probate is complete, ask the bank. Some will release a limited amount for documented funeral expenses, but this varies by institution and is not guaranteed.
Online banking and bill pay shut down. When the bank processes the death notification, online banking access and any scheduled bill payments through the bank's system are discontinued. Download any transaction history or statements you might need before the account is fully closed.
Safe deposit boxes at the same bank may also be restricted. Access may require Letters Testamentary and, in some states, a bank officer or state tax representative must be present when the box is opened.

Tracking all of the financial, legal, and administrative steps after a death is easier with a centralized checklist. Use our free after-death checklist to stay organized.

Track your progress with our free checklist

A calm, step-by-step guide to help you handle what comes next.

Open the Checklist

This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or tax advice. Consult a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation.

Last reviewed: 2026-03-21