How to Notify Danske Bank (Northern Ireland) of a Death: Bank Bereavement Guide 2026

How to notify Danske Bank (Northern Ireland) of a death — step by step

1. Contact Danske Bank

   Call 0345 600 2882 or visit the online bereavement help page. Danske Bank in the UK operates exclusively in Northern Ireland.

2. Provide the death certificate and account details

   You will need a certified copy of the death certificate, the account number from any correspondence, and your own ID and contact details.

3. Accounts frozen

   Danske Bank will freeze the deceased's accounts on notification. Direct debits and standing orders will be stopped.

4. Supply probate or letters of administration

   In Northern Ireland, probate is granted by the Probate Registry of the High Court. Provide a certified copy once obtained to authorise dealing with the accounts.

5. Funds released and accounts closed

   Danske Bank will release funds and close all accounts once all documents are received. The process typically takes 2–4 weeks.

What documents does Danske Bank (Northern Ireland) need?

• Certified copy of the death certificate
• Grant of probate or letters of administration (when available)
• The executor's or administrator's ID (passport or driving licence)
• The executor's or administrator's proof of address (utility bill or bank statement, dated within 3 months)
• Account numbers or bank statements if known

Have multiple certified copies of the death certificate ready. Banks and financial institutions each require an original or certified copy — you cannot usually pass a single copy between organisations. See our guide to how many death certificates you need.

How long does Danske Bank (Northern Ireland) take?

Danske Bank (Northern Ireland) typically takes 2–4 weeks to process a bereavement notification once all required documents have been received.

During this period, accounts or services will typically be frozen until the estate is administered. This means no new transactions can be authorised. Frozen bank accounts cannot send or receive money, so it is important to ensure the estate has an accessible source of funds for ongoing costs such as funeral expenses.

What happens after you notify Danske Bank (Northern Ireland)?

Once Danske Bank (Northern Ireland) receives your notification and confirms receipt, the account or service will be frozen and no new transactions will be authorised. Estate administration can then begin.

Danske Bank (Northern Ireland) will write to you with a bereavement reference number and a list of the documents they require to proceed. At that stage you will need to provide the grant of probate (or letters of administration) along with certified copies of the death certificate before funds can be released to the estate. Once the grant is in hand, you can proceed to close the deceased's bank account and release funds to the estate.

What cannot wait