How to Close a Bank Account After a Death | Honorly
FINANCIAL ACCOUNTS

How to Close a Bank Account After a Death

Updated September 2026

Closing a bank account after someone dies isn't always as simple as calling the bank. What happens next depends on how the account was owned, whether a beneficiary was named, and whether probate is required. This guide walks through what you'll need, who can handle it, and the steps to close or transfer the account.

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To close a deceased person's bank account, you'll typically need to notify the bank, provide a certified death certificate, and show that you have authority to handle the account. Solely owned accounts may require Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration, while joint and payable-on-death accounts can often be handled without probate. Requirements vary by bank and account type.

AT A GLANCE
Who can handle it Executor, administrator, joint owner, or named beneficiary, depending on the account
Documents you may need Certified death certificate, photo ID, and estate or trust documents
Does it require probate? Not always
What happens to the funds? They may pass directly to a joint owner or beneficiary, or become part of the estate
WHAT'S INVOLVED

How do you close a bank account after someone dies?

  1. 01
    Identify the account and how it's owned
    Start by determining whether the account was individually owned, jointly owned, or had a payable-on-death beneficiary. How the account is titled determines who can access it and what happens next.
  2. 02
    Contact the bank
    Notify the bank of the death and ask for its estate services department. Each institution handles deceased account holders differently, so ask exactly what documents and forms they require.
  3. 03
    Gather the required documents
    Banks commonly request a certified death certificate and government-issued ID. If you're acting as executor or administrator, you may also need Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration showing that you're authorized to act for the estate.
  4. 04
    Determine what happens to the funds
    A joint account may pass to the surviving owner. A payable-on-death account may pass directly to the named beneficiary. Funds in a solely owned account without a beneficiary will generally need to be handled through the estate.
  5. 05
    Complete the bank's requirements
    Submit the requested documents and forms and follow the bank's instructions to close, transfer, or retitle the account.
  6. 06
    Keep a record of the closure
    Save the bank's final correspondence and account records with the rest of the estate documentation.
BY ACCOUNT TYPE

Which type of account are you dealing with?

Account typeWhat typically happens
Individual accountMay require probate and authority from the court before funds can be accessed
Joint accountGenerally passes to the surviving owner
Payable-on-death accountGenerally passes directly to the named beneficiary
Trust-titled accountHandled by the successor trustee according to the trust and bank requirements
DOCUMENTS

What documents will the bank ask for?

ONE IMPORTANT THING TO KNOW

A Power of Attorney ends when someone dies, so it generally cannot be used to access their accounts after death.

The exact requirements vary, but you may be asked for:

FINDING ACCOUNTS

What if you don't know about every account?

You're not alone. There is no single database that shows every bank account someone owned.

Finding accounts can mean reviewing mail and email, tax returns, credit reports, personal records, and unclaimed property databases. Our guide to locating bank accounts after someone dies walks through exactly where to look.

HOW HONORLY HELPS

How does Honorly help?

Honorly handles the legwork. We contact banks and financial institutions, help gather and submit the required documentation, follow up with each institution, and keep track of what has been completed.

You stay the executor or administrator and remain legally responsible for the estate. We handle the calls, paperwork, and follow-ups.

COMMON QUESTIONS

Frequently asked questions about closing a bank account after a death

Do you need probate to close a bank account after someone dies?

Not always. Joint accounts and accounts with payable-on-death beneficiaries can often be handled outside probate. Solely owned accounts without a named beneficiary typically require probate or a small estate procedure before someone can access the funds.

Can I use their online banking login?

Going through the bank's estate services is the safer approach. Using someone else's online banking credentials after their death may violate the bank's terms and create complications during estate settlement.

Does the bank automatically know when someone dies?

No. The bank generally needs to be notified of the death. Until that happens, automatic payments and other account activity may continue.

What if we don't know every bank they used?

Start with their mail, email, tax returns, credit report, wallet, phone, and personal records. You can also search state unclaimed property databases for dormant or forgotten assets.

About Honorly

Let us handle it.

Honorly is an estate settlement service that handles the administrative, financial, and legal tasks that follow a loved one's passing, so families aren't left to figure everything out alone.

We handle the calls, paperwork, and follow-ups that come after a loss, so your family can focus on each other.

Talk to our team