Dealing with a loved one’s bank accounts is one of the more immediate practical tasks after a death – other organisations often need confirmation that the bank has been informed, and some outgoings still need managing. This guide covers how to notify NatWest step by step: the right phone number, which documents you’ll need, what happens to sole and joint accounts, and when probate is likely to be required.
Quick reference:
- Phone: 0800 161 5903 (Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm, excluding bank holidays)
- Online: natwest.com/life-moments/bereavement
- Post (documents only): Bereavement Services, PO Box 5612, Manchester, M61 0WN
- Relay UK: 18001 0800 161 5903
How to notify NatWest of a death
NatWest offers four ways to tell them someone has died. You only need to use one – choose whichever feels manageable right now.
By phone – Call 0800 161 5903, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm (excluding bank holidays). This is the best option if you want to speak to someone and ask questions as you go. The team is trained to handle these conversations with care. If you’re calling from abroad, the number is +44 1204 684658.
Online – NatWest’s online notification form is available at natwest.com/life-moments/bereavement. It walks you through a questionnaire to record the death. This is a good option if you prefer not to be on the phone, or if you’re notifying outside of phone hours. Webchat support is also available Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm.
In branch – You can walk into any NatWest branch with documents. Branch staff can take the initial notification in person. Use NatWest’s branch locator to find your nearest one.
Death Notification Service (DNS) – The DNS (deathnotificationservice.co.uk) lets you notify multiple banks and building societies simultaneously through a single free online form. NatWest is a participating institution. This is worth using if the deceased held accounts at several banks.
What to have ready when you call
For the initial notification – whether by phone, online, or in branch – NatWest will ask for:
- Your name and contact details
- The deceased’s full name, date of birth, address, and date of death
- At least one account number or sort code
You do not need to have all documents ready at this stage. NatWest will send you a condolence letter with a unique reference number (starting with “BER”) and tell you exactly which documents they need next.
Tell Us Once
If you haven’t already, it’s worth using the Tell Us Once service (available through most local councils) to notify government departments – HMRC, DVLA, the Passport Office, and others – in a single step. This runs separately from notifying banks, but doing it early reduces the number of calls you need to make overall.
What documents you’ll need
After the initial notification, NatWest will write to you specifying which documents are required for your particular situation. The typical list for a sole account is:
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Death certificate | Original shown in branch; certified copy accepted by post or email |
| Will or codicil | If one exists |
| Grant of Representation / Letters of Administration | Required if probate is needed (see below) |
| Account closure form | NatWest sends this – sign and return |
| Photo ID | Required if you are not an existing NatWest customer |
| Proof of address | Required alongside photo ID if you are not a customer |
How to send documents:
- Digital upload – After notification, NatWest may send you an email or SMS inviting you to upload documents securely through their partner service (Mitek). You can take photos of documents on your phone.
- Email – Send colour photos or scans to berdocuments@natwest.com. Include your BER reference number in the subject line. Accepted formats: PDF, JPEG, JPG, PNG, BMP, GIF, TIF, DOC, DOCX.
- Post – Bereavement Services, PO Box 5612, Manchester, M61 0WN. Do not post original documents – NatWest advises against this due to security risks. They cannot accept original photo ID by post.
- In branch – You can bring original documents to any branch for in-person verification.
If any documents are in a language other than English, a certified translation will be required.
What happens to the accounts
For a full overview of how bank accounts are handled after a death in the UK – including joint accounts, probate thresholds across banks, and the Death Notification Service – see what happens to a bank account when someone dies.
Sole accounts
Once NatWest is notified, sole accounts are immediately “protected” – frozen so that no further deposits or withdrawals can be made. This prevents any transactions while the estate is being administered. You will not be able to access funds until the documentation process is complete.
Joint accounts
Joint accounts are handled differently. NatWest updates the account to the surviving account holder’s name only. The account continues to function normally – the surviving holder can still use it for day-to-day banking. A death certificate is typically required to make this change.
Direct debits and standing orders
Sole account direct debits stop when the account is protected. If the deceased was paying bills from a sole account – utilities, subscriptions, council tax – you will need to contact those providers directly to make alternative arrangements. NatWest does not contact them on your behalf.
For joint accounts, direct debits set up under both names may continue under the surviving account holder, but it is worth reviewing them to ensure nothing is being paid twice or for a service no longer needed.
Overdrafts and debts
If the deceased had an overdraft or NatWest loan, these become a liability of the estate – they are paid from estate funds during administration, before any inheritance is distributed. NatWest will advise on next steps as part of the estate settlement process. Beneficiaries are not personally responsible for the deceased’s sole debts.
Credit cards
If the deceased was the primary cardholder on a NatWest credit card, any additional cardholders will lose access to the card once the death is registered. If you are an additional cardholder, make alternative payment arrangements promptly.
Paying funeral costs from the account
NatWest can pay funeral costs directly to a funeral company from the deceased’s account before the estate is fully settled – even while the account is protected. The funeral invoice must be:
- On the funeral company’s headed paper
- Itemised (individual costs listed)
- In pounds sterling
- Accompanied by the funeral company’s BACS payment details
NatWest can cover funeral deposits, burial or cremation fees, wake costs, transport, probate fees, and some utility bills. Accommodation and house clearance costs are not covered. Payment typically takes 3 to 5 working days once NatWest has received the invoice and necessary documentation.
Inheritance tax (IHT)
If inheritance tax is due, NatWest can make payment directly to HMRC from the deceased’s account using the IHT423 form, available from gov.uk. All sections of the form must be completed with amounts written in both words and figures.
Probate and when it’s required
Probate (or a Grant of Representation in England and Wales – a Certificate of Confirmation in Scotland) gives you the legal authority to administer someone’s estate. Whether NatWest requires it depends on the size and complexity of the estate.
NatWest’s own published materials do not state a fixed threshold. Based on widely reported experience and forum discussions, NatWest has commonly required probate for sole account balances above £25,000, though this is not confirmed in their official guidance and may vary by account type and circumstance. Call 0800 161 5903 to confirm what applies to the specific estate you are dealing with.
For very small balances – typically where the total held is minimal and no formal grant is being applied for – NatWest may issue what they call an “Indemnifying Letter” to release funds without requiring probate. This is intended for very low-value estates only.
Joint accounts do not require probate to transfer to the surviving holder – the account updates automatically on notification and receipt of the death certificate.
If probate is required and you do not already have a grant, you can apply through the HMCTS probate service. The current application fee is £300 for estates over £5,000 (as of 2026, per gov.uk). It typically takes several weeks to obtain.
How long does it take
There is no single timeline – it depends on the complexity of the estate, whether probate is required, and how quickly documents are submitted.
| Stage | Typical timeframe |
|---|---|
| Initial account protection | Immediate on notification |
| Condolence letter with BER reference | A few days |
| Funeral payment (once invoice received) | 3–5 working days |
| Joint account update | Within days of receiving death certificate |
| Sole account closure (no probate needed) | Weeks, once all documents received |
| Sole account closure (probate required) | Several months – depends on probate timeline |
The biggest delays in practice are obtaining the Grant of Representation (if required) and resolving any complications – property sales, HMRC tax clearance, or disputed wills. NatWest’s own estate administration service, run through Hugh James Solicitors, notes that most estates are finalised within 12 months.
Things to watch out for
Don’t post original documents. NatWest advises against posting originals. Use the digital upload or email route, or bring originals in branch. The postal address exists but is intended for certified copies.
The BER reference number matters. After the initial notification, NatWest will send you a condolence letter with a reference beginning “BER”. Keep it – you’ll need it on all correspondence and on the subject line of any email you send to berdocuments@natwest.com.
MyRewards points expire. If the deceased had a NatWest account with MyRewards cashback, those rewards must be claimed within 90 days of account closure or they are forfeited. Ask about this early. The MyRewards line is 03709 016 790, open Monday to Sunday, 8am to 8pm.
IHT423 must be exact. If using the IHT423 form to pay inheritance tax directly from the account, NatWest requires all amounts to be written in both words and figures, and all sections completed. Errors will cause delays.
Estate administration support is available. If the estate is complex – property, business interests, multiple accounts – NatWest can refer you to their estate administration service (Hugh James Solicitors, 029 2039 1019). This is a paid service, but worth considering if the estate is likely to take more than a few months to resolve.
Summary
To notify NatWest of a death, call 0800 161 5903 (Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm) or use the online form at natwest.com/life-moments/bereavement. Have the deceased’s name, date of death, and at least one account number ready. NatWest will write to you with a BER reference and confirm which documents are needed.
For immediate costs, NatWest can pay funeral invoices directly from the estate within 3 to 5 working days. For joint accounts, the process is straightforward. For sole accounts with larger balances, probate may be required – call to confirm the threshold that applies.
For guides to other UK banks, see our pages on notifying Santander, notifying Barclays, notifying Lloyds, and notifying HSBC.
Sources: NatWest bereavement guide (natwest.com, verified March 2026); NatWest document submission guidance (natwest.com, verified March 2026); IHT423 form (gov.uk); Tell Us Once (gov.uk); Probate application (gov.uk); Death Notification Service (deathnotificationservice.co.uk).