How to Notify Banks After a Death in the UK: Complete 2026 Guide
How do I notify banks after a death?
Contact each bank's bereavement team within 1-3 days to freeze accounts and prevent fraud. Provide the death certificate and request date-of-death valuations. Most banks release £5,000-£50,000 for funeral costs before probate.
Have more questions on UK death administration? Let Farra help.
Step-by-Step: How to Notify Banks After a Death
Here's the complete process for notifying banks:
When to notify
Within 1-3 days of death, before fraudulent activity can occur
Who can notify
Executor, administrator, next of kin, or family member with death certificate
Documents needed
Death certificate (interim or certified copy), your ID, proof of authority (will naming you as executor)
What happens
Bank freezes sole accounts immediately, joint accounts may remain accessible
Accessing funds
Banks can release £5,000-£50,000 for funeral expenses before probate
Timeline
2-4 weeks to receive full account details and probate valuations
Why You Must Notify Banks Immediately
Notifying banks quickly after a death serves several critical purposes:
1. Prevent Fraud and Unauthorised Transactions
Once someone dies, any transactions on their account become unauthorised. If family members continue using the deceased's cards or online banking without notifying the bank, this is technically fraud - even if done with good intentions to pay legitimate bills. Banks can pursue recovery of these funds from the estate or individuals who made transactions.
2. Stop Direct Debits and Standing Orders
Continuing direct debits can cause complications when closing accounts or distributing the estate. Subscriptions, memberships, and insurance policies will continue to be paid unnecessarily, reducing the estate value. Some payments (like life insurance premiums) may invalidate claims if they lapse.
3. Secure the Estate Assets
Executors have a legal duty to secure estate assets immediately. This includes bank accounts. Freezing accounts prevents beneficiaries or family members from accessing funds inappropriately before probate is complete and protects executors from liability for losses.
4. Access Funds for Funeral Costs
Most banks will release funds for funeral expenses from the deceased's account before probate is granted - but only if you've officially notified them of the death and provided the funeral invoice. Typical release limits range from £5,000 to £50,000 depending on the bank. Read our guide on accessing funds to pay for a funeral.
Which Banks and Financial Institutions to Notify
You need to notify every financial institution where the deceased:
Current or Savings Accounts
All high street banks, online banks, and building societies
Credit Cards or Loans
Card issuers and loan providers (including car finance, personal loans)
Investments or ISAs
Investment platforms, stocks and shares ISAs, cash ISAs
Pensions
Private pension providers, workplace pensions, SIPPs. See our guide on claiming private and workplace pensions after death.
Insurance Policies
Life insurance, home insurance, car insurance
Payment Services
PayPal, Revolut, Monzo, Starling, other fintech accounts
Business Accounts
Business bank accounts if they were self-employed or a company director
How to Find All Bank Accounts
You may not know about all the deceased's accounts. Here's how to find them:
Search the Home
Look for:
- →Bank statements (paper or email printouts)
- →Cheque books and debit/credit cards
- →Passbooks for savings accounts
- →Online banking login details or password notes
- →Letters from banks about accounts, investments, or loans
- →Tax returns showing interest from unknown accounts
- →Direct debit or standing order lists
Check Financial Documents
- →Last tax return - shows interest earned from all accounts (banks must be listed)
- →Will - may list major assets including banks where accounts are held
- →Mortgage documents - show which bank holds the mortgage
- →Payslips - show which bank receives salary (look for employer pension contributions too)
Use My Lost Account Service
The My Lost Account service (mylostaccount.org.uk) searches for lost bank and savings accounts across UK banks, building societies, and National Savings & Investments. Free to use for tracing accounts of deceased individuals. Searches take 3 months but can find dormant or forgotten accounts worth thousands.
Check for Unclaimed Assets
Search the Unclaimed Assets Register for insurance policies, pensions, investments, and bank accounts that may have been lost or forgotten. Costs £25 per search but covers multiple asset types.
Documents You Need to Notify Banks
Banks require different documents depending on the situation:
Essential Documents for All Notifications
- ✓Death certificate - Interim death certificate (free, issued immediately after registering the death) works for initial notification. Certified copy (£12.50 from Register Office) required for formal probate valuations
- ✓Your ID - Passport, driving licence, or other photo ID to verify your identity
- ✓Deceased's account details - Account numbers, sort codes, or customer reference numbers if available
Additional Documents for Executors
- ✓Original will - Shows you're named as executor and have authority to manage accounts
- ✓Grant of Probate - Required to close accounts and withdraw funds (except funeral expense releases). Apply for probate after gathering all valuations
Additional Documents for Next of Kin (No Will)
- ✓Proof of relationship - Birth certificate, marriage certificate, or civil partnership certificate
- ✓Letters of Administration - Required to close accounts and access funds when there's no will. Apply after gathering all valuations
Documents for Funeral Payment Requests
- ✓Funeral invoice - Itemised bill from funeral director showing costs
- ✓Proof you paid - Receipt or bank statement showing you paid the funeral costs from your own funds
Order Multiple Death Certificates During Registration
Order at least 5-10 certified death certificates when you register the death. They cost £12.50 each during registration but £15+ if ordered later. You'll need separate certificates for multiple banks (many won't accept photocopies), the Probate Registry, HMRC, pension providers, insurance companies, and property transfers. Ordering extras during registration saves time and money.
Detailed Process: Notifying Each Bank
Follow this process for each bank and financial institution where the deceased held accounts:
Step 1: Contact the Bank's Bereavement Team
Most major banks have dedicated bereavement services:
- →Find the bereavement phone number - Check the bank's website for "bereavement services" or "death notification" - don't use the general customer service number
- →Call during business hours - Bereavement teams typically operate Monday-Friday 9am-5pm
- →Have account details ready - Account numbers, sort codes, or the deceased's customer reference number speeds up the process
- →Request a bereavement pack - Ask them to send their bereavement information pack by email or post
Step 2: Complete the Bank's Notification Form
Each bank has its own notification process:
- →Download or request the form - Available on the bank's website or sent in the bereavement pack
- →Provide deceased's details - Full name, date of birth, date of death, last known address
- →Provide your details - Your name, relationship to deceased, contact details, your role (executor, administrator, next of kin)
- →List what you need - Tick boxes for: freeze account, date-of-death balance, funeral payment release, probate valuation
Step 3: Send Required Documents
Submit your notification package:
- →Certified copy of death certificate - Most banks accept posted copies (they'll return the original)
- →Copy of your ID - Certified by solicitor or bank staff
- →Copy of the will - If you're named as executor (original will stays with you)
- →Send by recorded delivery - Or hand-deliver to a branch and get a receipt
Step 4: Request Date-of-Death Valuations
For probate, you need the exact balance on the date of death for all accounts:
- →Request in writing - Ask for "date-of-death balance for probate purposes"
- →Include interest statements - Any interest earned between death and probate must be reported
- →Request account history - Final 12 months of statements helps identify regular payments and assets
- →Most banks provide free - Probate valuations are typically free for executors
- →Allow 2-4 weeks - Banks need time to generate official probate valuations
Step 5: Confirm Account Freeze
Verify the bank has secured the account:
- →Ask for written confirmation - Letter or email confirming date account was frozen
- →Return debit cards - Cut up and return or destroy the deceased's debit and credit cards
- →Disable online banking - Request the bank closes online access immediately
- →Check standing orders stopped - Confirm all direct debits and standing orders have been cancelled
What Happens to Different Types of Accounts
Different account types are handled differently when someone dies:
Sole Current and Savings Accounts
Status:
Frozen immediately when bank is notified
Access:
Only with probate (or funeral payment exception)
What happens:
- →All cards, online banking, and cheques stop working instantly
- →Direct debits and standing orders are cancelled
- →No withdrawals allowed except funeral payment releases (typically £5,000-£50,000)
- →Account stays frozen until executor provides Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration
- →Interest continues to accrue on savings accounts during the freeze
Joint Bank Accounts
Status:
Depends on account type
Joint tenancy (most common):
- →Surviving account holder retains full access to account immediately
- →Entire account balance passes to survivor by survivorship
- →Does NOT form part of the deceased's estate
- →No probate needed to access funds - surviving holder can use account as normal
- →Bank may freeze 50% of funds temporarily for investigation
Tenants in common (rare for bank accounts):
- →Deceased's share (usually 50%) forms part of their estate and is frozen
- →Surviving account holder may have limited access to their own share
- →Probate required to release deceased's share
Credit Cards and Loans
Status:
Account frozen, cards cancelled
Payment:
Executors pay from estate funds during probate
What happens:
- →Cards stop working immediately
- →Interest may continue to accrue on outstanding balances
- →Debts are paid from the estate during probate
- →Debts are written off if estate is insolvent (insufficient funds to pay all debts)
- →Family members are NOT personally liable for deceased's unsecured debts (unless they were joint account holders or guarantors)
ISAs (Individual Savings Accounts)
Status:
Frozen on notification
Access:
With probate, but spouse gets APS benefit
What happens:
- →Account maintains ISA tax-free status for 3 years after death
- →Spouse or civil partner can inherit "additional permitted subscription (APS)" allowance equal to ISA value
- →APS lets surviving spouse invest extra amount (equal to deceased's ISA) in their own ISA, above annual limit
- →Interest continues tax-free during probate period
- →Non-spouse beneficiaries receive cash value but lose ISA wrapper
Premium Bonds
Status:
Remain in prize draws for 12 months after death
Notification:
Write to NS&I with death certificate
What happens:
- →Bonds continue entering monthly prize draws for 12 months
- →Any prizes won go to the estate and are distributed to beneficiaries
- →After 12 months, bonds are automatically cashed
- →Value forms part of estate for inheritance tax purposes
Business Bank Accounts
Status:
Frozen immediately
Urgent action:
Contact business accountant immediately for continuity planning
What happens:
- →Sole trader accounts freeze - executors must manage business closure
- →Limited company accounts require board resolution appointing new signatories
- →Partnership accounts continue - surviving partners take control according to partnership agreement
- →Business may face cash flow crisis if deceased was sole signatory
How to Access Funds Before Probate
Probate can take 3-9 months, but you may need funds sooner for funeral costs or estate administration. Here's how to access money before probate:
Funeral Payment Release
Most banks will release funds directly to funeral directors or reimburse you for funeral costs:
- Release limits: Typically £5,000 to £50,000
- What's covered: Funeral director fees, cremation/burial, flowers, catering
- Process: Submit funeral invoice with death certificate
- Payment time: Usually 5-10 working days
Small Estate Release
Banks can release entire account balance without probate if:
- Total under £5,000-£50,000 (varies by bank)
- You provide death certificate and proof of entitlement
- All executors sign indemnity forms
- Estate is straightforward with no disputes
Common thresholds: Barclays/HSBC/Lloyds/Santander/Nationwide £50,000, NatWest £25,000
Joint Account Access
If the deceased had a joint account with you:
- You typically retain immediate access to all funds
- No probate required for joint tenancy accounts
- Money legally passes to you by survivorship
- Be aware of inheritance tax implications if large sums transferred before death
Don't Use Deceased's Cards - Even for Legitimate Expenses
Never use the deceased's debit or credit cards after death, even to pay their bills or buy essentials. Once someone dies, all transactions on their accounts become unauthorised - regardless of your intentions. Banks can:
- Pursue recovery of funds from you personally
- Report fraud to police in serious cases
- Delay probate while investigating transactions
- Hold you liable for any losses to the estate
Instead: Use your own funds and reclaim from the estate later, request funeral payment release for immediate costs, or ask the bank to pay specific urgent bills from the frozen account.
Timeline: How Long Each Step Takes
Here's the typical timeline for notifying banks and accessing funds:
Days 1-3
Notify all banks by phone (accounts frozen same day). Request bereavement packs and stop using deceased's cards
Week 1
Register the death, get 5-10 death certificates, complete bank notification forms, and submit by recorded delivery
Weeks 2-4
Banks process notifications and provide date-of-death valuations. Request funeral payment release if needed (processed in 5-10 working days)
Weeks 6-12
Gather all valuations, complete inheritance tax forms, and submit probate application (8-12 weeks for online, 12-16 weeks for paper)
Weeks 12-28
Receive Grant of Probate, send to banks, and funds released within 2-4 weeks
Bank Notification Checklist
First 3 Days
- Identify all banks and financial institutions
- Call each bank's bereavement team to freeze accounts
- Request bereavement packs from each bank
- Cut up and destroy all debit/credit cards
Week 1
- Order 5-10 death certificates when registering death
- Complete bank notification forms for each institution
- Send death certificates and forms by recorded delivery
Weeks 2-4
- Request date-of-death valuations for probate
- Request funeral payment release if needed
- Confirm all accounts are frozen and direct debits stopped
- Gather all valuations and statements for probate application
Common Problems and Solutions
Problem: Can't Find All Bank Accounts
Solution:
- →Use My Lost Account service (free, searches all UK banks and building societies)
- →Check last tax return for interest from unknown accounts
- →Search email for bank correspondence if you have access to deceased's email
- →Contact credit reference agencies (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion) - credit reports list all accounts
- →Check direct debits on known accounts - may reveal other banks used for payments
Problem: Bank Won't Release Funeral Payment
Solution:
- →Check bank's specific release limit (some only allow £5,000, others £50,000)
- →Ensure you've provided itemised funeral invoice, not just estimate
- →Submit proof you paid from your own funds (your bank statement showing payment)
- →Ask to speak to bereavement team manager if frontline staff refuse
- →If account balance is insufficient, use funds from joint account or claim from multiple banks
Problem: Account Frozen But Bills Need Paying
Solution:
- →Pay urgent bills from your own funds - reclaim later from estate
- →Ask bank to pay specific bills directly from frozen account (they may agree for utilities, mortgage)
- →Apply for funeral payment release even if only to cover bills, not funeral costs
- →Use funds from joint account if deceased was joint holder (but track carefully)
- →For small estates, request immediate release if total under bank's probate threshold
Problem: Bank Lost Death Certificate
Solution:
- →This is why you should order 5-10 certificates during registration
- →Order replacement certified copies from Register Office (£15 each, more expensive than during registration)
- →Send by recorded delivery and keep tracking receipt
- →Hand-deliver to branch and ask staff to certify they've received it
- →Some banks now accept digital death certificates from Tell Us Once service
Problem: Multiple Executors Can't Agree
Solution:
- →Most decisions require unanimous agreement from all executors when multiple appointed
- →Banks typically require all executors to sign authority forms before releasing funds
- →Consider mediation if executors disagree about account handling or distribution
- →One executor can renounce (give up executor role) if they don't want involvement
- →In serious disputes, court can remove an executor or appoint independent administrator
Problem: Overseas Bank Accounts
Solution:
- →Notify international banks immediately - use international bereavement contacts
- →Some countries require local probate (like USA, France, Spain) - UK probate may not be enough
- →Check if double taxation treaties apply to foreign accounts and inheritance
- →Include foreign account values in UK probate application (all worldwide assets must be declared)
- →Seek specialist international probate advice if significant foreign assets (over £50,000)
Bank-Specific Bereavement Contacts
Major UK banks have dedicated bereavement teams. All banks typically process funeral payments within 5-10 working days:
| Bank | Phone | Funeral Release Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Barclays | 0800 400 100 | Up to £50,000 |
| HSBC | 0800 085 2580 | Up to £50,000 |
| Lloyds / Halifax / BOS | 0800 085 2404 | Up to £50,000 |
| NatWest / RBS / Ulster | 0800 404 8172 | Up to £25,000 |
| Santander | 0800 389 7399 | Up to £50,000 |
| Nationwide | 0800 30 30 30 | Up to £50,000 |
| TSB | 0345 835 3858 | Up to £30,000 |
| Metro Bank | 0345 08 08 500 | Case by case |
Search "[Bank name] bereavement" online to find dedicated support pages and email contact forms.
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