Closing accounts

Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citi: what each one asks for

The big banks ask for similar things, with small differences.

Most large US banks follow a similar process after a customer dies. Each has a bereavement or estate services team, a page on its website, and a list of documents it needs.

What most of them ask for

• The customer's full legal name and Social Security number
• A death certificate, often a certified copy
• The ID of the person contacting them
• Proof of authority for an executor or administrator, such as letters testamentary, letters of administration or a small-estate affidavit
• For a payable-on-death beneficiary, their ID and the death certificate

How each one usually starts

• Bank of America: an online form for reporting a death, plus a phone line and branches
• Wells Fargo: an online form or a call to its estate services team, and branches can help
• Citi: searching "Citi deceased customer" finds its current steps and phone number

Searching "[bank name] report a death" or "[bank name] estate services" usually finds the current page and phone number.

Differences families sometimes notice

• Whether a certified death certificate is required, or a photocopy is enough
• Whether documents can be uploaded online or must be mailed or brought in
• How long the process takes, often a few weeks