Farra is a death administration assistant for UK families. Get step-by-step guidance for registering a death, applying for probate, notifying banks, and managing bereavement admin. From essential documents to practical checklists, Farra simplifies estate paperwork and funeral-related tasks so you can focus on what matters.
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To claim Premium Bonds after someone dies, you need to contact NS&I to notify them of the death, then submit a claim as the executor or administrator of the estate. NS&I will repay the full face value of the Bonds — plus any unclaimed prizes — directly to the estate. The Bonds stay in the monthly prize draw for 12 months after the date of death, so there is no rush to claim immediately unless you need the funds.
The first step is to let NS&I know that the bondholder has died. You can do this in one of three ways:
When you contact NS&I, have the following information to hand if possible: the bondholder's full name (including any maiden name or previous names), their date of birth, date of death, and their NS&I holder number. The holder number appears on Premium Bond certificates, prize cheque counterfoils, and any letters from NS&I. If you cannot find the holder number, NS&I can trace the account using the bondholder's personal details — it simply takes a little longer.
Tip
If the deceased held other NS&I products — such as Income Bonds or Direct Saver accounts — mention these when you call. NS&I can deal with all their products at the same time, saving you a separate claim later.
NS&I will ask you to provide several documents to verify the death and your authority to act on behalf of the estate. The exact requirements depend on the total value of NS&I holdings and whether probate has been granted, but the standard list is:
Send documents by recorded delivery to protect against loss. NS&I typically processes claims within 10 working days of receiving a complete set of documents, though this can vary during busy periods.
Whether NS&I requires a grant of probate (or letters of administration) depends on the total value of all NS&I products held by the deceased — not just Premium Bonds, but also any Income Bonds, Direct Saver accounts, and other NS&I holdings combined.
For smaller total holdings, NS&I will often release the funds without a grant. For larger holdings, a grant is required before they will pay out.
Important
NS&I's probate threshold can change. At the time of writing, the threshold is typically around £5,000, but you should always verify the current figure directly with NS&I at nsandi.com or by calling their bereavement line. Getting it wrong could delay your claim.
If the deceased's total NS&I holdings are below the threshold, you can usually claim by providing the death certificate and claim form alone. This is a significant benefit for smaller estates, as obtaining probate can take several weeks and involves court fees.
If you are unsure whether you need probate for the wider estate — not just NS&I — our guide on applying for probate explains the full process.
One of the most important things to know about Premium Bonds after death is that NS&I keeps the Bonds in the monthly prize draw for 12 full calendar months after the date of death. This means the deceased's Bonds can still win prizes — from the £25 minimum up to the £1 million jackpot — even though the holder has passed away.
The 12-month period runs from the first day of the month following the death. For example, if someone died on 15 March, their Bonds would remain in the draw from April through to the following March — a full 12 draws.
This rule applies regardless of whether you have already started the claim process. However, if the claim is completed and NS&I has already repaid the Bonds before the 12 months are up, the Bonds are removed from future draws at that point. For large holdings, it may be worth waiting until the 12-month window has passed before finalising the claim, to maximise the chance of winning additional prizes.
Example
Margaret held £30,000 in Premium Bonds when she died in January 2026. Her executor notified NS&I but waited until February 2027 to complete the claim. During those 12 months, Margaret's Bonds won three prizes totalling £125. NS&I paid out the full £30,000 face value plus the £125 in prizes — a total of £30,125 to the estate.
It is surprisingly common for Premium Bond prizes to go unclaimed. The bondholder may have changed address without updating NS&I, or prize cheques may have been lost in the post. NS&I holds unclaimed prizes for up to six years.
When you make a bereavement claim, NS&I automatically checks for any unclaimed prizes linked to the holder number and adds them to the payout. This includes prizes won both before and after the date of death (during the 12-month eligibility window).
You can also check for unclaimed prizes yourself using NS&I's free online prize checker. You will need the holder number to use this tool. It is worth checking before you submit your claim, so you have a clear picture of the total amount the estate should receive.
Remember that Premium Bond prizes are tax-free — this applies to prizes won both before and after the holder's death. The estate does not need to pay income tax on any prize winnings.
A common question from families is whether Premium Bonds can be transferred to a spouse, child, or other beneficiary. The answer is no — Premium Bonds are non-transferable. They must be cashed in by NS&I and the proceeds paid to the estate.
Once the funds have been paid to the estate, the executor can distribute them to beneficiaries according to the will (or intestacy rules if there is no will). Beneficiaries who wish to hold Premium Bonds themselves can then purchase new Bonds in their own name using their inheritance, subject to the current maximum holding limit.
For probate purposes, the face value of Premium Bonds must be included in the estate valuation. This is the amount originally invested in the Bonds, not any speculative future prize winnings. NS&I can provide a valuation letter confirming the total holding if you need one for the probate application.
Once NS&I has received all the required documents — the death certificate, completed claim form, holder number, and grant of probate (if applicable) — they typically process the claim within 10 working days. Payment is made by bank transfer to the account specified on the claim form, or by warrant (cheque) if you prefer.
The overall timeline depends on how quickly you can gather the necessary documents. If probate is not required, you could realistically have the funds within two to three weeks of first contacting NS&I. If probate is needed, the claim will take as long as the probate process itself — usually 8 to 12 weeks from application to grant, though this varies.
If you choose to wait for the 12-month prize eligibility window to expire before finalising the claim, factor this into your estate administration timeline. Some executors notify NS&I early, gather all documents, and then submit the claim form at the 12-month mark to minimise delays at that stage.
Planning ahead
If you are waiting for the 12-month window, use the time to complete other estate administration tasks. Our guide on notifying banks after death covers the process for other financial institutions that may need to be dealt with in parallel.
These guides cover related topics that may be helpful as you work through the estate:
How to claim NS&I Premium Bonds after someone dies. Whether prizes are still paid, the NS&I claim process, and whether probate is required.
Step-by-step guide to notifying banks after a death in the UK. What documents you need, how to access funds before probate, joint accounts, funeral payment releases, and full timeline.
Step-by-step probate application process, forms needed, costs, and typical timeframes for grant of probate.
Can you close a fixed-rate savings account early when the account holder dies? Bank policies, documentation needed, and how to access funds.
Is the family liable for a deceased person's credit card debt? Who is responsible, how to notify the card company, and what happens to the balance.
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