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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.
Virgin Money will release funds without probate if the total balance held across all Virgin Money accounts is below £50,000 (as of July 2026). This is in line with the £50,000 level used by major banks such as Barclays and Lloyds. For estates above £50,000, a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration is required.
Virgin Money's probate threshold is £50,000 as of 2026. This applies to the combined balance across all sole Virgin Money accounts. If the total is below £50,000, Virgin Money may release the funds without a formal Grant of Probate.
Virgin Money acquired Clydesdale Bank and Yorkshire Bank (trading as CYBG plc) in 2018 and was subsequently acquired by Nationwide Building Society. If the deceased held accounts at Clydesdale or Yorkshire Bank, contact Virgin Money directly to confirm how those accounts are handled. For a comparison of thresholds across all major UK banks, see our probate threshold guide for 2026–27.
When notifying Virgin Money of a bereavement, you will typically need:
For estates above £50,000, Virgin Money requires the original Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration. Ensure you obtain sufficient certified copies when the grant is issued.
Virgin Money's bereavement support team is available via:
On notification, Virgin Money will freeze the deceased's accounts. Our guide on notifying banks after a death explains how to manage the process across multiple institutions.
Not sure if you need probate?
1 in 3 applications are sent back. In under 2 minutes, we'll tell you whether you need it and what to do next.
Yes, Virgin Money participates in the Death Notification Service (DNS). Using the DNS allows you to notify Virgin Money and other participating institutions simultaneously. After the DNS notification, Virgin Money will contact you to collect the documentation needed to progress the estate.
Yes, Virgin Money participates in the Direct Payment Scheme(IHT423). Where inheritance tax is owed on the estate, Virgin Money can pay HMRC directly from the deceased's account before probate is granted, provided sufficient funds are available.
Complete HMRC form IHT423 and submit it to Virgin Money alongside the IHT400. For guidance on IHT timing and interest, see our guide on probate delays and IHT interest.
Virgin Money typically releases funds within 10 to 15 working days of receiving all required documentation. Straightforward cases may be resolved more quickly.
Our estate administration checklist helps you track progress across multiple financial institutions simultaneously.
For estates where the total Virgin Money balance is under £50,000, Virgin Money uses a simplified small estates process. You will be asked to complete a declaration or indemnity form confirming your entitlement to the funds. This is typically completed within 5 to 10 working days.
Even where Virgin Money does not require probate, other parts of the estate may still require a grant — particularly if there is property or shares. Our guide on when you don't need probate explains what triggers the probate requirement.
For a full overview of UK probate, visit our complete UK probate guide for 2026. To decide how to handle probate, read our DIY probate versus solicitor costs guide. For inheritance tax questions, see our IHT guide for 2026–27. Use Farra's free estate tool to build your personalised estate administration plan.
Before you assume you need probate
Do you actually need a grant — and what would it cost?
A Virgin Money balance is only part of the picture. Whether the estate needs probate at all depends on the whole picture — property, other accounts, and how everything was owned — not a single threshold. It is worth checking before you start filling in forms.
Guide reviewed July 2026. Bank thresholds change and can vary by account type — always confirm the current figure with the provider before relying on it.
1 in 3 probate applications are sent back.
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Where they normally lived, even if they died somewhere else.
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