How to Notify Santander of a Death: Bank Bereavement Guide 2026

How to notify Santander of a death — step by step

1. Contact Santander's bereavement team

   Call 0800 389 6655 or use the online bereavement form. Santander's team is trained to handle sensitive cases and can advise on the next steps without you needing to visit a branch.

2. Provide documentation

   You will need a certified copy of the death certificate and your own identification. If you have the deceased's account number or a recent bank statement, have it ready — but Santander can locate the accounts with just the name and address.

3. Accounts frozen and reviewed

   Santander will freeze all sole accounts on notification. They will send you a full list of accounts held (current accounts, savings, ISAs) so you know what needs to be dealt with.

4. Supply probate documents

   Once you have the grant of probate or letters of administration, send certified copies to Santander. The bank will not release sole account funds until these are received.

5. Funds released and accounts closed

   Santander will transfer the estate balance to the account you specify and issue written confirmation of closure for all accounts.

What documents does Santander 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 Santander take?

Santander 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.

Using the Death Notification Service for Santander

Santander is a member of the Death Notification Service (DNS). The DNS lets you notify multiple banks and building societies at once, saving time if the deceased held accounts at several institutions. You can use the service online at deathnotificationservice.co.uk or by telephone on 0800 158 2227.

However, notification via the DNS is the first step only. You must still contact Santander directly to close accounts, transfer funds, and release assets to the estate. The DNS does not replace the full bereavement process — it simply triggers an initial notification.

For more on services that help manage death administration, see our complete guide to UK death administration services.

What happens after you notify Santander?

Once Santander 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.

Santander 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.

What cannot wait