Where to start looking for a deceased person's accounts
The bank does not announce that an account exists. You have to find it yourself, usually by searching through the person's papers, contacting institutions you know about, and asking people who might know. The bank will not release account information to you just because you say you are the executor or next of kin — you will need to prove it with documents.
Start with what you can see: check the deceased person's home for bank statements, cancelled checks, deposit slips, credit card statements, online banking passwords written down, or letters from banks. Look in desk drawers, filing cabinets, and safe deposit boxes. Many people keep a list of accounts somewhere, though not always in an obvious place.
If you find nothing written down, contact the banks where you know the person had accounts — even if those accounts were closed years ago. The bank can tell you whether the person had other accounts there. Ask specifically: "Did this person have any other checking, savings, or investment accounts with your institution?" Banks keep records for years after accounts close.
Key Takeaways
- Search the deceased person's home for bank statements, cancelled checks, and account lists before contacting any institution.
- Contact banks where you know the person had accounts; they can tell you about other accounts at that same institution even if they are closed.
- You will need to provide the death certificate and proof of your authority (executor letter, court order, or next-of-kin documentation) before a bank releases account information.
- The IRS, state unclaimed property programs, and the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators database can help locate accounts you cannot find through direct contact.
- Some accounts may be held in trust or joint ownership, which changes how the bank handles them and who can access them.
Using the death certificate to unlock account information
Once you have located a bank or found one you think might hold an account, you will need to provide a certified copy of the death certificate. This is the document that proves the person is dead and gives you standing to ask questions about their accounts. You can order certified copies from the county vital records office where the person died, or sometimes from the funeral home that handled the arrangements.
When you contact the bank, ask to speak with the estate or probate department, not the regular customer service line. Tell them you are looking for accounts held by the deceased person and that you have a death certificate. They will ask you to mail or bring in the certified copy along with proof of your authority — usually an executor letter from the court, a will, or a next-of-kin affidavit depending on the state and the size of the estate.
Different banks have different procedures. Some will tell you over the phone whether an account exists; others will not confirm anything without the documents in hand. Ask what they need from you in writing so you do not make multiple trips or send documents twice.
Checking unclaimed property databases for forgotten accounts
If a bank account goes inactive for a set period — usually three to five years, depending on the state — the bank must turn the money over to the state's unclaimed property program. This money does not disappear; it sits in a state fund waiting for someone to claim it. You can search for unclaimed accounts without contacting the bank directly.
Start with the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA) website, which links to every state's unclaimed property search tool. Search under the deceased person's name in the state where they lived and in any other states where they may have had accounts. The search is free and takes a few minutes.
If you find an account listed, the state will tell you the name of the institution and the amount. To claim it, you will need to file a claim with that state, which requires the death certificate and proof of your authority. The process varies by state but usually takes four to eight weeks.
Contacting the IRS and financial institutions for tax records
The IRS knows about accounts that generated interest or investment income. If the deceased person filed tax returns, those returns list banks where they received 1099 forms (interest income) or 1098 forms (mortgage interest). You can request the deceased person's tax transcripts from the IRS using Form 4506-C, which shows income sources by year.
You do not need to be the executor to request a tax transcript — you can request it as a surviving spouse, dependent, or representative with a power of attorney. The IRS will mail the transcript to you, and it will show which banks and financial institutions sent the person income documents. This gives you a list of places to contact.
This method works best for accounts that earned money. Checking accounts with no interest and accounts that were closed before the person died may not appear on tax records at all.
What to do when you find an account
Once you have located an account, the bank will freeze it and require you to prove your authority before releasing any money. If the account is in the person's name alone, you will need either a court order (from probate court) or an affidavit stating that you are the executor or next of kin. The requirements depend on the account size and your state's laws.
If the account is a joint account with a surviving owner, that person can usually access the money when ready without going through probate. If the account is a payable-on-death (POD) account, the named beneficiary can claim it by providing the death certificate and identification. Trust accounts go to the trustee, not to the estate.
The bank will ask you to fill out forms transferring the account to the estate or to the beneficiary. This process can take two to six weeks depending on the bank and the complexity of the account. Some banks move faster than others; ask for an estimated timeline when you first contact them.
Searching for accounts held in trust or under different names
If the deceased person created a living trust, accounts may be held in the trust's name rather than the person's name. You will not find these accounts by searching under the person's individual name. Instead, look for documents titled "Trust Agreement" or "Declaration of Trust" in the person's papers. The trust document will list the trustee and the accounts that belong to the trust.
Some people also held accounts under a business name, a nickname, or a former name. If you know the person used different names at different times, search under all of them. Banks keep records under the exact name on the account, so an account under "Robert J. Smith" will not show up if you search for "Bob Smith."
If you find a trust document, contact the trustee (often a family member or a bank) rather than the bank directly. The trustee has authority over trust accounts and can access them without probate court involvement.
What happens if you cannot find all the accounts
If you have searched thoroughly and still cannot locate all accounts, you have done what you can. Probate court requires you to make a reasonable effort to find assets, but not a perfect one. Document what you searched — which banks you contacted, which databases you checked, which states you searched — and keep copies of the responses. This protects you if questions come up later.
Some accounts may genuinely be lost to time. If an account was closed decades ago and generated no income, it may not appear in any database. If the person had accounts at a bank that has since merged or closed, the records may be harder to trace but are usually still available through the successor bank.
If you are managing an estate through probate court, the judge will review your search efforts. As long as you can show you took reasonable steps, you are not liable for accounts you could not find.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a lawyer to find a deceased person's bank account?
No. You can search unclaimed property databases and contact banks yourself. A lawyer is useful if the estate is large, if there are disputes among heirs, or if you need to go through probate court, but finding the accounts is something you can do on your own with a death certificate and some patience.
Can a bank tell me if someone had an account there without a death certificate?
Not officially. Banks have privacy rules that prevent them from confirming whether an account exists without proof of death and your authority. However, if you call and say you are looking for accounts for a deceased relative, many banks will at least tell you whether to send documents or not.
What if the account is in another person's name but the deceased person had access to it?
If the account is in someone else's name, that person owns it, not the estate. Joint accounts are different — if the deceased person was a joint owner, the surviving owner usually inherits it automatically. If the deceased person was only an authorized user, they have no claim to the account.
How long do I have to find and claim a deceased person's accounts?
There is no legal important date for finding accounts, but unclaimed property can be claimed indefinitely. If you are managing an estate through probate court, you have as long as the probate process takes, usually six months to two years. After that, any accounts you did not find go to the state as unclaimed property.
What if I find an account but the bank says it is closed?
A closed account can still hold money. Banks sometimes keep closed accounts open in the system for years. Contact the bank's estate department and ask whether there is a balance. If there is, you can claim it using the same process as an active account.