What You Need to Open a Checking Account for an Estate

The documents a bank will ask for before opening an estate account

Banks will not open a checking account in the estate's name without proof that you have legal authority to manage the money. That proof is almost always a certified copy of the death certificate and either a Letters Testamentary (if there is a will) or Letters of Administration (if there is no will). Some banks also ask for a court order or affidavit showing you have been appointed, depending on the state and the size of the estate.

The bank will also want identification for yourself — a driver's license or passport — and a federal tax identification number (EIN) for the estate itself. You get the EIN from the IRS using Form SS-4, which takes about 15 minutes to file online. You will need the decedent's Social Security number and the date the estate was opened (the date the person died, or the date the court opened probate, depending on your state).

Some banks ask for a copy of the will itself, though this is not always required. A few ask for proof of bond if the court required you to post one — this is more common in larger estates. Call the bank's estate services department before you go in; they can tell you exactly what they need and whether they accept documents by mail or require you to appear in person.

Key Takeaways

You need a certified death certificate and Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration from the court to prove you have authority to open the account.
The bank will ask for your own ID, the estate's federal tax ID (EIN), and sometimes a copy of the will or court order.
You can get an EIN from the IRS online using Form SS-4 in about 15 minutes, and it costs nothing.
Different banks have different requirements, so call ahead to ask what documents they need and whether you can submit them by mail.
Some banks have dedicated estate services departments that move faster than regular branches and know exactly what paperwork to expect.

Where the certified death certificate comes from and how long it takes

You order certified death certificates from the vital records office in the county where the person died, not from the funeral home or the hospital. The funeral home can tell you which county office to contact. You can usually order online, by mail, or in person; online is fastest and costs between $15 and $35 per copy depending on the state.

Processing time varies widely. Some states deliver within 3 to 5 business days; others take 2 to 3 weeks. Order at least 5 to 10 copies because you will need them for the bank, the IRS, insurance companies, and sometimes the court. Once you have them, they do not expire — you can use them years later if you need to.

Getting Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration from the court

If the person left a will, you file it with the probate court in the county where they lived. The court then issues Letters Testamentary naming you as executor. If there is no will, you petition the court to be appointed administrator, and the court issues Letters of Administration. Both documents prove to the bank that you have legal authority.

The time this takes depends on whether the estate goes through full probate or a faster process. Some states offer simplified probate or small estate procedures for estates under a certain dollar amount — these can be done in weeks rather than months. Other states require full probate, which can take 6 months to a year or longer. Your state probate court's website will tell you which process applies and what forms you need to file.

If you have not yet filed the will or petitioned the court, you will need to do that before the bank will open the account. Some banks will open a temporary account while probate is pending if you show them the filed petition, but this is not standard practice.

The federal tax ID (EIN) and why the bank needs it

An estate is treated as a separate taxpayer by the IRS once it holds money or generates income. The bank needs the estate's Employer Identification Number (EIN) to report interest earned on the account and to comply with tax reporting rules. You explore for an EIN using Form SS-4, which you can file online at irs.gov.

You will need the decedent's Social Security number, the date the estate was opened (usually the date of death), and your own name and address. The IRS issues the EIN when ready if you explore online, or within 4 business days by mail. There is no fee. Once you have it, write it down — you will use it on tax returns, bank forms, and any correspondence with the IRS about the estate.

What happens if the bank asks for documents you do not have yet

If you have not completed probate, some banks will hold the account open with a temporary or conditional status until you provide the final Letters. Others will not open the account at all until you have them. A few will open the account in your name as "executor of the estate of [name]" rather than in the estate's name, which is a workaround but creates complications later when you need to transfer assets or close the account.

If the court required you to post a bond (a form of insurance protecting the estate), the bank may ask to see proof of the bond before opening the account. This is more common in larger estates or when there is family conflict. If you have not posted the bond yet, ask the court clerk how to do it — it usually takes a few days and costs a percentage of the estate's value.

If you are stuck, call the bank's estate services line and ask what they can do while you are waiting for court documents. Many banks have seen this situation before and have a process for it.

Which banks are easiest to work with for estate accounts

Larger banks and banks with dedicated estate services departments tend to move faster and have clearer procedures. They know what documents they need and do not ask for extras. Smaller community banks sometimes have less experience with estates and may ask for more paperwork or take longer to process the account.

Some banks will not open an estate account at all — they require you to transfer money into a personal account in your name as executor. This is legal but creates a paper trail that can complicate things later, especially if the estate is audited or if family members question how you handled the money. If your bank refuses to open an estate account, ask to speak to the manager or call their estate services department; sometimes the branch staff straightforward do not know it is an option.

What to bring when you go to open the account

Bring your own ID (driver's license or passport), the certified death certificate, the Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration, and the estate's EIN. Bring the will if you have it, even if the bank does not ask for it — it can speed things up. Bring a list of the decedent's assets and debts if you have one; some banks ask for this to understand the size and complexity of the estate.

If you are opening the account by mail, send certified copies of everything, not originals. Keep the originals in a safe place. Include a cover letter explaining what you are sending and what you need — a bank employee reading it will know exactly what to do.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open an estate account before probate is finished?

Some banks will open a temporary account if you show them the filed petition and your court-issued appointment letter, but most require the final Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration. Call the bank first to ask what they will accept while probate is pending.

Do I need a separate account or can I use my own checking account?

You should use a separate estate account. Using your personal account mixes your money with the estate's money, which makes it harder to track what belongs to whom and can raise questions if the estate is audited or if family members dispute how you handled funds.

What if the person died in one state but the estate is being probated in another?

You will need a certified death certificate from the state where the person died, and Letters from the state where you are probating the estate. Some states require additional paperwork if the estate has property in multiple states, but for a checking account you only need the documents from the probate state.

How much money do I need to open an estate account?

Most banks have no minimum balance requirement for estate accounts, though some require a small deposit to set up the account. Call ahead to ask — if there is a minimum, it is usually $25 to $100.

Can I use the estate account to pay bills and funeral expenses?

Yes. Once the account is open, you can use it to pay the decedent's final bills, funeral costs, and estate administration expenses. Keep receipts and records of everything you spend — you will need to report it when you close the estate.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.