Notifying a bank is one of the more pressing tasks after a bereavement – sole accounts need to be secured, and other organisations often ask whether the bank has already been told. This guide covers everything you need to notify Santander: the bereavement team phone number and hours, what documents to prepare, what happens to every type of account, how ISA inheritance works, what to do about a mortgage, and how to handle the IHT423 Direct Payment Scheme.
Quick reference:
- Phone: 0800 587 5870 (Mon–Fri 8am–6pm, Sat 9am–2pm; closed Sunday)
- International: 01908 520814 (option 3)
- Online: Santander bereavement notification form
- Post: Santander Bereavement Operations, Sunderland, SR43 4FJ
- Probate required if: sole accounts total more than £50,000, or if there is a Santander mortgage
- Tell Us Once: does NOT notify Santander – you must contact the bank directly
How to notify Santander of a death
Call 0800 587 5870 to reach Santander’s dedicated bereavement team. Lines are open Monday to Friday 8am–6pm and Saturday 9am–2pm; they are closed on Sundays. If you are calling from abroad, use 01908 520814 and select option 3.
You do not need all your documents to hand before you call. Santander can take the basic details – the deceased’s name, address, date of birth, and account information if you have it – and guide you through what to send in afterwards.
There are three other ways to notify Santander if you prefer not to call:
| Method | Details |
|---|---|
| Online form | bereavement-online.santander.co.uk – upload supporting documents; response within 10 working days |
| Post | Santander Bereavement Operations, Sunderland, SR43 4FJ – use the postal bereavement instruction form |
| Branch | Any Santander branch can take an initial notification in person |
Does Tell Us Once notify Santander?
No. This is a common misunderstanding and worth being explicit about.
Tell Us Once is a government service that notifies government departments when someone dies – HMRC, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), the local council, Veterans UK, and public-sector pension schemes. It does not notify banks, building societies, insurers, utility companies, or any commercial organisation. Santander is not a Tell Us Once partner.
You must notify Santander separately, using the phone number, online form, post, or branch visit described above. Source: gov.uk/after-a-death/organisations-you-need-to-contact-and-tell-us-once.
The Death Notification Service – multi-bank notification
The Death Notification Service (deathnotificationservice.co.uk) is a separate, industry-run scheme that lets you notify multiple participating banks and building societies in a single step. Santander is a member of the Death Notification Service.
Important to understand: using the Death Notification Service only sends the initial notification to Santander. You will still need to deal with Santander directly to progress the estate, submit documents, and release funds. The DNS saves you making multiple phone calls to say “there has been a death”; it does not replace the full bereavement process.
Step-by-step: what to expect
The bereavement process with Santander typically follows this sequence:
| Step | What happens | Timescale |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Notify Santander | Phone, online, post, or branch. Santander confirms receipt and issues a bereavement reference number | Within 24 hours by phone; up to 10 working days online/post |
| 2. Accounts frozen | Sole accounts are secured. All direct debits and standing orders on those accounts are cancelled | Immediate on notification |
| 3. Documents requested | Santander writes with a full list of what it needs to proceed | Within 10 working days |
| 4. Funeral payment (if requested) | On receipt of funeral invoice, Santander pays funeral director directly | Within 5 working days of invoice |
| 5. Small estate settlement | If sole accounts total £50,000 or less and no mortgage: Santander releases funds using a small estate process | A few weeks after documents received |
| 6. Probate required | If sole accounts exceed £50,000, or a Santander mortgage exists: Santander waits for the Grant of Representation | Probate takes an average 16 weeks once applied for |
| 7. Account closure | Balances released to beneficiaries; loans, overdrafts, or credit card balances settled from the estate first | Within weeks of probate received |
Source: Santander bereavement support page, last verified June 2026.
What documents you’ll need
Santander needs two things: proof of the death, and proof of your identity. Depending on the value of the estate, you may also need to provide a Grant of Representation later.
Proof of death – one of the following:
- Original death certificate from the register office
- Certified copy of the death certificate
- Photocopy of the death certificate (Santander accepts photocopies, unlike some banks)
- Interim death certificate issued by a coroner (if the inquest is ongoing)
Proof of your identity – one of the following:
- Valid passport
- Valid driving licence
If applicable:
- Grant of Probate, Letters of Administration, or (in Scotland) a Certificate of Confirmation – required if the sole accounts total more than £50,000, or if the deceased held a Santander mortgage
- Funeral invoice – if you want Santander to pay funeral costs directly from the account before probate
If you are dealing with several organisations simultaneously, it is worth ordering certified copies of the death certificate from the register office. Each costs £11 in England and Wales (source: gov.uk/order-copy-birth-death-marriage-certificate). Santander’s acceptance of photocopies means you may need fewer certified copies for this particular notification.
Source: Santander bereavement support page, last verified June 2026.
Probate and the £50,000 threshold
Probate (or, in Scotland, confirmation) is the legal process that authorises an executor to deal with an estate. Santander requires a Grant of Representation in two situations:
- The total value of all sole accounts exceeds £50,000, or
- The deceased held a Santander mortgage – even if the account balance is under £50,000
The mortgage rule catches many people by surprise. Most banks only require probate above the balance threshold; Santander also requires it for any mortgage, regardless of the account value.
If the sole accounts total £50,000 or less (and there is no mortgage), Santander will generally release funds without a Grant of Representation, using a small estate process. The bereavement team will guide you through what is needed.
Joint accounts are not counted toward the £50,000 threshold.
If you need a Grant of Probate, you can apply yourself through the government’s online service at gov.uk/applying-for-probate, or use a solicitor or professional probate service. See our guide to applying for probate for a step-by-step walkthrough, and our guide to how long probate takes for realistic timelines.
How Santander compares to other major banks:
| Bank | Probate threshold (sole accounts) | Mortgage triggers probate? |
|---|---|---|
| Santander | £50,000 | Yes – always |
| Halifax | £50,000 | Yes – generally |
| HSBC | £50,000 | Yes – generally |
| Barclays | £50,000 | Yes – generally |
| Lloyds | £50,000 | Yes – generally |
| Nationwide | £50,000 | Yes – generally |
Sources: Halifax bereavement guide, HSBC bereavement guide, Barclays bereavement guide, last verified June 2026.
What happens to the accounts
Sole accounts
When Santander is notified of a death, accounts held solely in the deceased’s name are frozen. This means:
- All direct debits and standing orders are cancelled immediately
- Cheque books are stopped
- No further deposits or withdrawals can be made
- The balance is held until the estate is settled
The cancellation of direct debits matters for household bills. If the deceased was paying utilities, council tax, or insurance from a sole account, those payments will stop from the moment Santander is notified. Make a note of which bills were paid from which accounts before you call, and arrange alternative payment methods as soon as possible.
Any outstanding debts – loans, overdrafts, or credit card balances – are recovered from the account before the remainder is released to the estate. For any balance that cannot be cleared immediately, Santander passes the account to Philips & Cohen Associates, their probate partners. Philips & Cohen will usually make contact within 30 days of notification to discuss recovery from the estate. As executor or next of kin, you are not personally liable for the deceased’s debts unless you were a co-signatory.
Joint accounts
Joint accounts work differently. The surviving account holder takes over the account automatically, with no probate required. Santander will update the account to remove the deceased’s name.
Direct debits and standing orders on joint accounts are not cancelled – they continue as before. If any of those payments were set up in the deceased’s name and need updating, the surviving account holder will need to contact each company separately.
The balance of a joint account is not counted toward the £50,000 probate threshold – only sole accounts are considered. See our guide to what happens to joint bank accounts for more detail.
Savings accounts
Savings accounts held solely in the deceased’s name are treated in the same way as current accounts: frozen on notification, released once the estate is settled (with or without probate depending on the total balance). Any interest accrued up to the date of death is included in the estate for inheritance tax purposes.
What happens to Santander ISAs
Santander offers cash ISAs, and ISA balances require slightly different handling:
Interest continues tax-free after death. Any interest that accrues in a Santander cash ISA after the date of death continues to be tax-free until the account is closed – or for three years post-death, whichever comes first. After that point, the ISA wrapper ends and interest becomes taxable.
No new subscriptions after death. No further deposits can be made to the ISA from the date of death.
Additional Permitted Subscription (APS). A surviving spouse or civil partner is entitled to an Additional Permitted Subscription – a one-off ISA allowance equal to the higher of the value of the deceased’s ISA at the date of death, or the value at the point the ISA wrapper ends. This allowance can be used to open an Inheritance ISA at Santander or transferred to another provider.
Key APS details for Santander:
- Apply within 3 years of the date of death, or 180 days after the estate is fully administered, whichever is later
- Santander’s Inheritance ISA currently pays 2.45% AER/tax-free (variable)
- Apply in person at a Santander branch (call ahead to arrange an appointment)
- Required forms: Additional Permitted Subscriptions Eligibility Declaration Form, and APS Transfer Form if transferring from another provider
- The ISA is not flexible – funds withdrawn lose their tax-free status
The APS allowance is separate from your own annual ISA allowance. Even if the surviving spouse already uses their full £20,000 annual ISA allowance, they can still use the APS to shelter the inherited funds. Source: Santander Inheritance ISA page and HMRC ISA guidance, last verified June 2026.
See also our broader guide on what happens to ISAs when someone dies.
What happens to a Santander mortgage
Mortgages require separate handling from current accounts, savings, and ISAs. Contact the bereavement team on the same number (0800 587 5870) and make clear that there is a mortgage involved – this affects what documentation Santander will need.
Sole mortgages
If the mortgage was in the deceased’s name only, a Grant of Representation is required regardless of the account balances. Once Santander receives probate, the executor can choose to:
- Repay the outstanding mortgage balance from estate proceeds or life insurance
- Arrange for the mortgage to transfer to another person’s name (subject to Santander’s affordability checks)
Interest continues to accrue on the mortgage until it is fully settled. There is typically no early repayment charge applied in bereavement cases – Santander assesses this on a case-by-case basis after notification – but you should confirm this when you call.
Joint mortgages – joint tenancy
If the property was owned as joint tenants, ownership passes automatically to the surviving co-owner on death (right of survivorship). Santander can transfer the mortgage into the surviving person’s sole name without requiring probate for that specific asset. You will need to provide a death certificate.
Joint mortgages – tenants in common
If the property was owned as tenants in common, the deceased’s share does not automatically pass to the co-owner – it forms part of the estate. Santander will need a Grant of Representation and instructions from the executor on how to proceed. The co-owner may need to obtain a new mortgage in their sole name to buy out the estate’s share, or the property may need to be sold.
If you are unsure how the property was owned, check the title deeds or contact HM Land Registry (gov.uk/search-property-information-land-registry).
Life insurance on the mortgage
Many mortgages include a life insurance policy (often called mortgage protection insurance or decreasing term insurance). If the deceased had this in place, the insurer should be contacted separately – the payout settles the outstanding balance directly with the lender. If you are unsure whether a policy exists, check paperwork from when the mortgage was arranged. See our guide to what happens to mortgages when someone dies.
Source: Santander bereavement support page, last verified June 2026.
What happens to Santander loans and credit cards
Outstanding balances on Santander personal loans, overdrafts, and credit cards are handled as follows:
- Santander may clear part or all of the outstanding balance before account closure, depending on the account terms and available funds.
- Any remaining balance becomes a debt of the estate – it is paid from the estate before any inheritance passes to beneficiaries.
- If the estate cannot cover the balance, the debt is passed to Philips & Cohen Associates, who will assess whether funds are available. If the estate has no assets, unsecured debts are written off – they do not pass to family members.
If the deceased held a Santander credit card, do not use the card after death even if you know the PIN. Using the account after you are aware of the death can create legal complications.
For any Santander credit card queries, the bereavement team on 0800 587 5870 handles these alongside current accounts and savings.
See our guide to what happens to credit card debt when someone dies for a broader explanation of how unsecured debt is treated.
The IHT423 Direct Payment Scheme – paying inheritance tax from Santander accounts
If the estate owes inheritance tax and the deceased held savings with Santander, the executor can use the IHT423 Direct Payment Scheme to instruct Santander to pay HMRC directly from the account – without needing probate first.
This solves a common problem in larger estates: inheritance tax is due before probate is granted, but probate is needed to access the money to pay it. The IHT423 breaks this deadlock by allowing the bank to transfer funds directly to HMRC on the executor’s instruction.
How it works:
- Complete form IHT423 (available at gov.uk/government/publications/inheritance-tax-direct-payment-scheme-bank-or-building-society-account-iht423)
- Send the completed form directly to Santander – not to HMRC
- Include a certified copy of the death certificate
- Santander transfers the agreed amount to HMRC within 10–15 working days
The IHT423 can only be used to pay inheritance tax owed to HMRC. It cannot be used to release funds to the executor for other purposes. Santander participates in the Direct Payment Scheme, as do most major UK high street banks including Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds, Halifax, and NatWest.
Funeral costs – paying from the account before probate
Santander will release money from the deceased’s sole account to pay funeral costs before probate is granted. To use this:
- Obtain the funeral invoice from your funeral director
- Send the invoice to Santander (by post, branch, or upload via the online form)
- Santander processes payment directly to the funeral director
Santander aims to process funeral payments within 5 working days of receiving the invoice. Florist invoices connected to the funeral are also accepted.
This is useful because funerals typically need to be paid before probate completes. If the estate has funds in a sole account, using the bank account to pay the funeral director directly is usually the most straightforward route. See our guide to paying for a funeral for a broader overview.
What happens to Santander online banking after a death
Once Santander is notified of a death, the deceased’s online banking access is suspended as part of the account security process. Executors or administrators cannot simply log in using the deceased’s credentials – this would be inappropriate and potentially fraudulent, even with good intentions.
Instead, Santander manages the estate administration through its bereavement team. Executors interact with the bank via phone, the online bereavement form, post, or branch – not through the deceased’s online banking portal. The executor does not need online access to release funds; all the necessary instructions are issued via the formal bereavement process.
If the deceased was the sole administrator of a Santander online account linked to a business or jointly held asset, contact the bereavement team on 0800 587 5870 to discuss the specific situation.
Santander business banking – what happens when a business customer dies
Santander has separate bereavement processes depending on the type of business account:
Sole trader accounts
A sole trader and their business are legally the same person. When a sole trader dies, their business bank account is frozen in the same way as a personal sole account – direct debits and standing orders are stopped immediately. The next of kin should speak to a solicitor about next steps, as the business’s assets and liabilities form part of the deceased’s estate. Santander can release funds to cover funeral costs from a sole trader account before probate, in the same way as a personal account.
Limited companies
If a director of a limited company dies, the company continues to exist. The company’s bank account stays open if other directors remain who can operate it under the existing bank mandate. If two directors were required to sign and one has died, Santander will issue a change of details form to update the mandate. Any new director being added must also be registered at Companies House. Contact Santander Business Banking on 0800 587 5870.
Partnerships and LLPs
If one partner in a multi-partner firm dies and others remain, the account stays open. The remaining partners provide a new bank mandate. If only one partner remains, a new partner must be added via a change of details form, or the account closes and the surviving partner can open a sole trader account.
Source: Santander Business Banking bereavement page, last verified June 2026.
FSCS protection and what it means for the estate
Santander UK plc is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Deposits held with Santander are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) up to £120,000 per customer. For joint accounts, each account holder has separate protection, meaning a joint account is covered up to £240,000 in total.
The £120,000 FSCS limit applies to the total of all eligible deposits held with Santander UK plc across all accounts – current accounts, savings, and ISAs combined. This is relevant to estate administration: if large sums are being consolidated into accounts at a single bank, be aware of the FSCS ceiling.
A separate temporary high balance protection applies for up to six months after certain life events, including the sale of a property, a divorce settlement, or receipt of an inheritance. During this window, balances up to £1 million may be protected. See fscs.org.uk/making-a-claim/claims-process/temporary-high-balances for full details.
Source: Santander FSCS information page, last verified June 2026.
How long does it take?
Timelines depend on the complexity of the estate.
Funeral payments: Santander aims to process these within 5 working days of receiving the funeral invoice.
Online or postal notifications: Santander aims to respond within 10 working days of receiving your notification.
Simple cases (no probate required): Once all documents are received, account closure and fund release typically takes a few weeks. Joint account updates are often faster.
IHT423 Direct Payment Scheme: Santander typically releases funds to HMRC within 10–15 working days of receiving a completed IHT423 form.
Cases requiring probate: Probate itself takes an average of 16 weeks in England and Wales once applied for (source: gov.uk/applying-for-probate). Once Santander receives the Grant, account closure usually follows within a few weeks.
Most delays come from incomplete documentation. Having the death certificate, your ID, and – where relevant – the funeral invoice ready before you contact Santander avoids the back-and-forth that extends most timelines.
Former Santander brands: Abbey, Alliance & Leicester, and Bradford & Bingley
If the deceased held accounts with Abbey National, Alliance & Leicester, or Bradford & Bingley, those accounts are now held by Santander. Santander acquired Alliance & Leicester in 2008 and took on Bradford & Bingley’s retail deposits and branch network the same year. Alliance & Leicester customers were migrated to Santander in May 2010; Abbey changed its name to Santander in January 2010.
If you are unsure whether an old account is still active, contact the Santander bereavement team on 0800 587 5870. They can check legacy account records across all three brands.
Santander Consumer Finance – a separate entity
Santander Consumer Finance (car finance, personal loans through retailers and dealerships) is a different legal entity from Santander personal banking. If the deceased had a car finance agreement, a hire purchase contract, or a consumer loan arranged through a retailer, that account is held by Santander Consumer Finance and needs to be reported separately.
Contact Santander Consumer Finance’s bereavement team:
- Phone: 0800 085 1474 (Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm)
- Email: SST@santanderconsumerfinance.co.uk
- Post: Specialist Support, Santander House, 86 Station Road, Redhill, Surrey RH1 1SR
You will need to provide the death certificate so Santander Consumer Finance can advise on the available options for the outstanding agreement.
Source: Santander Consumer Finance bereavement page, last verified June 2026.
If things go wrong: the Financial Ombudsman
Santander has a specific history with bereavement handling. In December 2018, the Financial Conduct Authority fined Santander £32.8 million for serious failings in how it handled deceased customers’ accounts between 2013 and 2016. More than 40,400 customers were affected, and over £183 million in funds was not transferred to beneficiaries as it should have been. Santander has since overhauled its processes and transferred the outstanding funds. The FCA investigation is closed. Source: FCA Final Notice, Santander UK plc, December 2018.
If you encounter problems with how Santander is handling the estate – delays, unresponsive staff, funds not released within reasonable timeframes – you have formal escalation options:
- Santander’s internal complaints process: Write to Santander’s complaints team. Santander must respond within 8 weeks for most complaints.
- Financial Ombudsman Service: If Santander has not resolved your complaint within 8 weeks, or if you are unhappy with their response, you can refer the case to the Financial Ombudsman at financial-ombudsman.org.uk or by calling 0800 023 4567. The service is free and independent.
The Ombudsman handles complaints about delays in releasing funds, incorrect account freezing, poor communication, and similar bereavement-related issues. Given Santander’s history in this area, do not hesitate to escalate if the process stalls without explanation.
Things to watch out for
Sole account direct debits stop immediately. The moment Santander is notified, all direct debits and standing orders on sole accounts are cancelled. If any were covering shared household bills – heating, broadband, council tax – those will go unpaid. Check which accounts were paying which bills, and arrange alternatives before you call.
Mortgages trigger the probate requirement regardless of balance. Unlike most banks, Santander requires a Grant of Representation if the deceased held a mortgage with them, even if all other accounts are below the £50,000 threshold. This can add several months to the process.
Photocopies of the death certificate are accepted. Unlike some banks, Santander accepts a photocopy rather than requiring an original or certified copy. This reduces the number of certified copies you need to order (each costs £11 in England and Wales).
Tell Us Once does not notify Santander. Many people assume the government’s Tell Us Once service handles bank notifications. It does not – it only covers government departments. Santander must be notified separately.
Debt is recovered from the estate, not from you personally. If the deceased had an overdraft, loan, or credit card balance with Santander, this is recovered from the estate before any remaining funds are distributed. As executor or next of kin, you are not personally liable unless you were a co-signatory or guarantor.
Interest continues to accrue on a mortgage during probate. If probate is required for a mortgage, remember that interest does not pause while the estate is being administered. Factor this into your timeline and seek independent financial advice if the mortgage is large.
Car finance is a separate call. If the deceased had a Santander car finance agreement, that needs to be reported to Santander Consumer Finance on 0800 085 1474, not to the personal banking bereavement team.
ISA APS has a deadline. The Additional Permitted Subscription allowance for a surviving spouse or civil partner must be used within 3 years of the date of death, or 180 days after estate administration completes – whichever is later. Missing this deadline means the tax-free ISA advantage is permanently lost.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Santander bereavement phone number? 0800 587 5870 – open Monday to Friday 8am–6pm and Saturday 9am–2pm. Closed Sundays. From abroad: 01908 520814, option 3.
Does Tell Us Once notify Santander? No. Tell Us Once only notifies government departments. Banks – including Santander – must be contacted separately.
What is Santander’s probate threshold? £50,000 for sole accounts. A Santander mortgage also triggers the probate requirement regardless of account balances.
Does Santander participate in the Death Notification Service? Yes – but DNS only sends the initial notification. You still need to deal with Santander directly to submit documents and release funds.
What happens to a Santander ISA when someone dies? Tax-free interest continues for up to three years post-death. A surviving spouse or civil partner can claim an Additional Permitted Subscription (APS) within 3 years of the date of death (or 180 days after estate administration).
Does Santander support the IHT423 Direct Payment Scheme? Yes. Complete form IHT423 and send it to Santander with a certified death certificate. Santander pays HMRC directly, typically within 10–15 working days.
Can Santander pay funeral costs before probate? Yes – send the funeral invoice and Santander aims to pay the funeral director within 5 working days.
Summary
To notify Santander after a bereavement, call 0800 587 5870 (Monday–Friday 8am–6pm, Saturday 9am–2pm), or use the online form at bereavement-online.santander.co.uk. Santander accepts photocopies of the death certificate and does not require you to have all documents before making first contact.
Tell Us Once does not notify Santander – you must contact the bank directly. The Death Notification Service can send the initial notification to multiple banks at once, but you will still need to complete Santander’s full bereavement process to release funds.
Probate is required if sole accounts total more than £50,000 – or if there is a Santander mortgage, regardless of balance. Funeral costs can be paid directly from the account within 5 working days of sending the invoice. If inheritance tax is owed, Santander supports the IHT423 Direct Payment Scheme to pay HMRC directly before probate. Deposits are FSCS-protected up to £120,000 per person.
If the deceased held accounts with Abbey, Alliance & Leicester, or Bradford & Bingley, those are all now held by Santander – one call covers all of them. For car finance or consumer loans, contact Santander Consumer Finance separately on 0800 085 1474.
If the estate includes accounts at other banks, see our guides to Lloyds, Halifax, NatWest, Barclays, and Nationwide. For more on the probate process itself, see our guide to applying for probate.