How do I inform you of a bereavement?

We know that coping with bereavement isn't easy, so we want to help simplify the banking part. Please select from the following options:

• Reporting death online
• Report death via Webchat
• Report death branch
• Report death via post
• What happens with a joint account?

Reporting death online

The quickest and easiest way to let us know about a bereavement is via our online service(opens in a new window).

Before you start to fill out the form, you will need to have the following details handy in advance so that we can help you:

• Your full name, address and mobile number
• The full name and address of the deceased customer
• The sort code and account number of the deceased (we only need one account number, even if there are multiple accounts)
• The Death Certificate number (if known)

We'll then contact you explaining the next steps.

If you don’t have the death certificate yet, you can still start the process but we won’t be able to send out the condolence letter to let you know of the next steps until we have received the death certificate.

To make things easier, if the person who died held accounts with a number of financial providers, there’s a free online Death Notification Service(opens in a new window) where you can complete one notification that is then sent to all the participating financial providers you need to notify. The financial providers (including several associated brands) that are part of this service are:

• NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland, Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds Banking Group, Nationwide, Santander UK (a full list of participating banks can be found on the Death Notification Service web site – see link above)

Please note that this is an online notification service only. If you use it, those organisations will update their records and contact you within 10 days to let you know the next step.

Report death via Webchat

If you need support to register a bereavement, we recommend in the first instance you webchat with our dedicated team who can help you or will arrange an appointment at a branch.

A member of staff will talk you through the process and answer any questions you have.

We can take you through the process and answer any questions you have through a secure live chat

Report death via Branch

You can visit any RBS branch to notify us of a bereavement. You can also go into any of our Group branches (including NatWest and Ulster Bank) to notify us.

Please provide us with the information below for the deceased customer:

• Date of death.
• Title, first name and last name.
• Full address and postcode.
• Account number and sort code for at least one account.
• Confirm if a will was left.
• Date of birth.
• Death certificate reference number (if known).

We’ll also need your details, or the details of the closest next of kin:

• Title, first name and last name.
• Full address and postcode.
• Email address.
• Mobile number.
• Relationship to the deceased.

Giving us supporting documentation

You can check the support documentation we may ask from you.

Report death via Post

Sending original documents through the post can result in them going missing and although we can return the documents to you, we’re unable to send them through a tracked service.

We recommend attaching to an email (UK documents only), taking them into a branch or have copies certified by a solicitor and posted to us.

However, should you wish to notify us by post then post a letter containing the details we need, along with supporting documentation to:

• Bereavement Services
• PO Box 5612
• Manchester
• M61 0WN

Please provide us with the information below for the deceased customer:

• Date of death.
• Title, first name and last name.
• Full address and postcode.
• Account number and sort code for at least one account.
• Confirm if a will was left.
• Date of birth.
• Death certificate reference number (if known).

We’ll also need your details, or the details of the closest next of kin:

• Title, first name and last name.
• Full address and postcode.
• Email address.
• Mobile number.
• Relationship to the deceased.

Giving us supporting documentation

You can check the support documentation we may ask from you.

What happens with a joint account?

When you notify us of a bereavement, the deceased's name will be removed but the account will remain open and available to the surviving party.

We will review any lending products with you to help meet your needs.

Once the bereavement process has been completed, if you want to close the account completely, please take a look at the How do I close an account? for more information on how to close a joint account.