When someone dies, their PayPal account does not close automatically. Any balance remains in the account, recurring payments may continue to debit from linked bank cards or accounts, and – if the deceased had PayPal Credit – that debt becomes part of the estate. Acting quickly can prevent unnecessary charges and protect the estate’s funds.
This guide explains how to contact PayPal’s bereavement team, what documents you will need, what happens to the balance, and how to deal with subscriptions, PayPal Credit, and business accounts.
Quick reference:
- Email: bereavement@paypal.co.uk
- Phone: 0800 358 7911 (PayPal UK customer service)
- Online help: PayPal UK – closing a deceased relative’s account
- Documents needed: death certificate + photo ID + cover sheet
- Probate threshold: £5,000 (under this, an indemnity form suffices)
- Timeline: 3–5 weeks from initial contact to receiving funds
What happens to a PayPal account when someone dies?
PayPal accounts do not have a death-trigger – the account stays open and active until a representative contacts PayPal to close it. This matters in several practical ways:
The balance sits in the account. Unlike a bank current account, a PayPal balance is a prepaid e-money balance rather than a bank deposit. It is still an asset of the estate and can be claimed, but it does not transfer automatically to next of kin.
Recurring payments may continue. If the deceased had set up automatic payments through PayPal – streaming services, subscriptions, insurance – these may continue to deduct from linked bank accounts or credit cards even after death, unless actively cancelled. See the subscriptions section below.
PayPal Credit remains an outstanding debt. If the deceased had a PayPal Credit balance, it becomes an unsecured debt of the estate and must be addressed as part of the estate administration.
Business PayPal accounts are separate. If the deceased ran a business PayPal account alongside a personal one, the two are handled differently. See the business accounts section below.
(Source: PayPal UK – closing a deceased relative’s account, last verified April 2026.)
Step-by-step: how to notify PayPal
The process is conducted by email or via PayPal’s Message Centre. There is no dedicated bereavement online form – instead, you write directly to PayPal’s team with your documents attached.
| Step | Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Identify the PayPal account | Find the email address used to log in – check the deceased’s inbox for PayPal emails, or check bank statements for the PayPal account name |
| 2 | Write a cover sheet | A short letter or document with your name and contact details, the deceased’s PayPal email address (or other identifying details), the date of death, and a statement that you are requesting closure of the account |
| 3 | Gather documents | Death certificate, your photo ID, cover sheet, and – depending on the balance – either an indemnity form or grant of probate |
| 4 | Contact PayPal | Send everything to bereavement@paypal.co.uk or use the Message Centre at paypal.com/uk/cshelp/contact-us |
| 5 | Receive confirmation | PayPal’s team will acknowledge the request and may ask for additional documents |
| 6 | Documents verified | PayPal’s legal team reviews the submission – typically takes 7–14 days |
| 7 | Account closed | PayPal confirms closure |
| 8 | Balance paid out | Funds released to the executor – PayPal can pay to a linked bank account, a wire transfer to a designated account, or to an executor’s PayPal account – allow a further 2–3 weeks |
By phone: You can also call 0800 358 7911 (PayPal UK customer service). The phone line is general customer service but can handle bereavement requests and escalate to the specialist team. It is most useful if you have an urgent matter – for example, a large subscription renewing imminently or a pending transaction you need to dispute.
If you cannot find the email address: PayPal can often locate an account using the deceased’s mobile number, last four digits of a linked bank card, or a recent transaction ID from a bank statement. Include whatever identifying information you have in your cover sheet.
What documents you will need
PayPal requires a small set of core documents, with an additional requirement depending on the size of the balance.
Core documents (always required):
- Death certificate – original or certified copy. PayPal accepts scanned or photographed copies sent electronically.
- Your photo ID – a current UK passport or driving licence.
- Cover sheet – a brief document identifying the PayPal account and stating that you are the executor or administrator requesting closure. Include your own name, address, and contact details.
Additional documents based on balance size:
| Situation | Additional requirement |
|---|---|
| Under £5,000 | Signed indemnity form (PayPal will send this to you after initial contact) |
| £5,000 or over | Grant of probate, letters of administration, or equivalent court order |
| Account has a balance (any amount) | Certified copy of the will identifying you as executor, if a will exists |
| No will (intestate) | Statement of your relationship to the deceased and your intended role as administrator |
| Multiple beneficiaries | Written confirmation from all named beneficiaries that they authorise you to give instructions |
If the estate is small and you are not applying for probate, explain this in your initial email – PayPal’s team can advise on what they need in your specific circumstances.
If you need additional certified copies of the death certificate to send to multiple organisations, copies cost £12.50 each in England and Wales, ordered from the General Register Office via gov.uk/order-copy-birth-death-marriage-certificate. It is worth ordering several at the time of registering the death.
What happens to the PayPal balance?
Once PayPal verifies your documents, any balance in the account is paid out to the executor or administrator of the estate.
How it’s paid out: PayPal can release the balance in several ways: to a linked bank account, by wire transfer to a designated bank account, or to an executor’s own PayPal account. If the deceased held multiple currencies, these are converted to GBP at PayPal’s prevailing exchange rate before payment. (Source: PayPal UK – closing a deceased relative’s account, last verified April 2026.)
Who can claim it: The executor named in the will, or the administrator appointed by the probate court (letters of administration). Next of kin without formal authority can sometimes arrange payment on smaller estates – contact PayPal directly to discuss.
Negative balance: If the account had a negative balance (for example, from a disputed transaction or chargeback that was resolved against the deceased), this becomes an unsecured debt of the estate. Unsecured debts are paid from estate assets after funeral costs and secured debts, but before distribution to beneficiaries. (Source: gov.uk – pay debts and taxes.)
No fees: PayPal does not charge for bereavement account closures or balance transfers.
Stopping subscriptions and recurring payments
This is often the most time-sensitive part of dealing with a PayPal account after a death. Subscriptions that run through PayPal can continue to deduct from a linked bank account or credit card even after the account holder has died, because the billing agreement remains active until cancelled. For a broader overview of this issue, see our guide on what happens to subscriptions when someone dies.
Common subscriptions to check: Streaming services (Netflix, Disney+, Spotify, Apple TV+), online gaming, news sites, software licences, and charity donations may all be authorised through PayPal.
How to identify them: Search the deceased’s email inbox for terms like “PayPal billing agreement”, “automatic payment”, and “receipt from”. Bank statements will also show which PayPal payments were recurring.
How to stop them:
- Contact each merchant directly and inform them the account holder has died. Most will cancel the subscription without requiring payment for future periods.
- Cancel the bank’s direct debit or continuous payment authority to PayPal – speak to the deceased’s bank and ask them to stop any ongoing payments authorised to PayPal. Banks are obliged to act on this request promptly.
- Do not rely solely on PayPal’s account closure to stop charges immediately – the closure process takes several weeks, and payments can continue in the interim.
If you are concerned about payments continuing while you work through the estate, the deceased’s bank can place a stop on outgoing payments to PayPal as a precautionary measure. Speak to the bank’s bereavement team.
PayPal Credit
PayPal Credit is a regulated credit product offered by PayPal UK Ltd (authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, firm reference 996405). It is not a bank loan – it functions as a revolving credit line that can be used at checkout across participating retailers.
If the deceased had a PayPal Credit balance outstanding, it is an unsecured debt of the estate. The standard rules for debts on death apply:
- The debt is paid from the estate, not by any surviving relatives or next of kin (unless they were a co-borrower, which PayPal Credit does not offer).
- It is an unsecured debt, so it is paid after funeral costs and secured debts (such as a mortgage) but before distributing the estate to beneficiaries.
- If the estate has insufficient funds to cover all debts, unsecured creditors – including PayPal Credit – may not receive full payment.
Notify PayPal of the death as part of the account closure process above. Include a note in your cover sheet if there is an outstanding PayPal Credit balance – PayPal’s team will advise on how this is handled alongside the account closure.
(Source: StepChange – dealing with debt after bereavement; gov.uk – dealing with the estate.)
Business PayPal accounts
PayPal offers both personal and business accounts. Business accounts are tied to a trading entity rather than an individual, and the process for closing them differs depending on the business structure.
| Business type | Who handles closure |
|---|---|
| Sole trader | The executor or administrator – same document requirements as a personal account, plus any business registration documents |
| Limited company | Company directors, not the family – directors must contact PayPal as the legal representatives of the company |
| Partnership | Surviving partners typically handle closure, in line with the partnership agreement |
Business PayPal accounts may hold funds from outstanding invoices, seller holds (if the deceased sold goods through the account), or pending refunds. These funds are assets of the estate or the business, and PayPal will work through outstanding matters before releasing funds.
If the deceased ran an online business through PayPal and eBay, be aware that eBay and PayPal are now separate companies – contact each independently.
How long does it take?
The full process from first contact to receiving any funds typically takes 3–5 weeks, though the timeline depends on how quickly you can supply documents and whether there are complicating factors such as open disputes or PayPal Credit.
| Stage | Typical timeframe |
|---|---|
| Initial response from PayPal | 3–5 working days |
| Document review by PayPal’s legal team | 7–14 working days |
| Account closure confirmed | Shortly after document approval |
| Balance paid out | Allow a further 2–3 weeks |
What can slow things down:
- Delays in obtaining the death certificate or certified copies
- Needing to apply for probate (probate itself typically takes 16 weeks – see gov.uk/applying-for-probate)
- Open disputes, chargebacks, or pending transactions that PayPal must resolve before closure
- Business accounts with outstanding seller holds or invoices
- Accounts where the email address is unknown – PayPal must first locate the account
If you have not received a response within six weeks, contact PayPal again using the same email address and reference any previous correspondence.
Common questions
Can I log in using the deceased’s password? If you legally have access to the account – for example, the deceased shared their login details with you – you can use those credentials to review the account, check for subscriptions, and download transaction history. You should still notify PayPal of the death and go through the formal closure process. PayPal will not provide login credentials to a third party, but they will not pursue someone who already had legitimate access.
What if I don’t know the email address? PayPal can often locate an account using the deceased’s mobile number, the last four digits of a linked bank card, or a transaction ID from a bank statement. Include these in your cover sheet and explain that you do not have the email address.
How do I find out if someone had a PayPal account? Check the deceased’s email inbox for any PayPal receipts, payment notifications, or billing agreement confirmations. Bank statements will show outgoing payments to “PayPal” or incoming payments with “PayPal” as the reference. Look also for the PayPal app on any mobile devices.
What if the account has a pending eBay sale or open dispute? PayPal will investigate any pending disputes or holds before closing the account and releasing funds. This can extend the timeline. Include a note in your initial contact if you are aware of any open matters.
Summary
To close a deceased person’s PayPal account, email bereavement@paypal.co.uk with a cover sheet identifying the account, a copy of the death certificate, and your photo ID. For balances under £5,000, you will sign an indemnity form. For balances of £5,000 or over, you will need to provide a grant of probate or letters of administration.
Before waiting for the account to close formally, contact any merchants with active PayPal subscriptions and ask the deceased’s bank to stop outgoing PayPal payments. This prevents unnecessary charges during the 3–5 week closure process.
If there is an outstanding PayPal Credit balance, this is an unsecured debt payable from the estate – family members are not personally liable.
For related guidance, see our what to do when someone dies – the complete guide, how to notify Amazon when someone dies, how to notify eBay when someone dies (eBay and PayPal are now separate systems – if the deceased used both, you need to contact each independently), what happens to subscriptions when someone dies, what happens to digital assets when someone dies, our page on what happens to direct debits when someone dies, and how to apply for probate if you are managing the estate as executor.