Guide
How to close a bank account when someone dies
Most UK banks have a dedicated bereavement team. The process is similar across banks — here’s what to expect and what they’ll ask for.
At a glance
- Contact the bank’s bereavement team to register the death.
- Follow the bank’s instructions to provide or upload the death certificate details it needs.
- The bank freezes sole accounts; joint accounts usually pass to the other holder.
Step by step
- Contact the bank’s bereavement team to register the death.
- Follow the bank’s instructions to provide or upload the death certificate details it needs.
- The bank freezes sole accounts; joint accounts usually pass to the other holder.
- If court authority is required, the bank will tell you which document applies where the person lived.
- Once settled, the account is closed and the balance paid to the estate.
What they’ll ask you for
- The death certificate details or certified copy the bank requests
- The account details, if you have them
- Proof of your identity and your role (executor or next of kin)
Good to know
Each bank sets its own rules for releasing funds. Ask what documents it needs before applying for court authority. England and Wales use probate or letters of administration; Scotland uses confirmation; Northern Ireland has its own probate process.
Where to go
The official UK services and trusted support for this — so you can act, not just read.
Common questions
- What happens to a joint bank account?
- It usually passes automatically to the surviving account holder, who can keep using it. You should still tell the bank so the account can be put into their sole name.
- Can I use the account to pay for the funeral?
- Sometimes. Ask the bank whether it can pay the funeral director directly from the account before court authority is issued, and what evidence it needs.
General information to help you find your way — not legal or financial advice. Last reviewed June 2026.