Closing a Chase UK Account After Death

Chase UK is a digital bank with no branches. Start the bereavement process through the app or website, send a certified copy of the death certificate, and the team will freeze the account and work out how the balance is released to the estate.¹

Chase UK is the UK retail banking arm of JPMorgan Chase, launched in 2021. It operates entirely as a digital bank, meaning there are no physical branches. All account management, including bereavement notification, is handled through the Chase app or the Chase website. If the person who has died held a Chase UK account, the executor will need to follow Chase's digital bereavement process to freeze the account, obtain a date-of-death balance, and release funds to the estate.

How to notify Chase UK of a death

Because Chase UK has no branches, you cannot walk in with a death certificate. The process starts online or through the Chase app:

• Via the Chase app or website: Chase UK has a bereavement section within its support area. The executor should access this to begin the notification. Chase will typically ask for information about the deceased and the executor before requesting documents.
• By contacting Chase support: If you cannot locate the bereavement section online, contact Chase's customer support team and ask to be directed to the bereavement process. They can guide you to the right part of the process and confirm current requirements.

Record the date of your notification and any reference number Chase provides. Keep copies of any correspondence or on-screen confirmations. There is no branch you can visit to hand over documents in person, so maintaining a clear digital paper trail matters more than with traditional banks.

Documents you will need

Chase UK's bereavement process is document-driven, even though it is digital. Expect to provide:

• Original death certificate or a certified copy. Chase will likely ask you to upload a scanned copy through their secure portal. Order multiple certified copies when you register the death, as you will need them for other institutions too.
• Proof of your identity as executor: a passport or driving licence. Chase may require this to be uploaded digitally.
• The original will (if one exists): Chase may ask to see this to confirm your authority as executor.
• Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration: required if the balance held with Chase exceeds their internal threshold, or if Chase's process requires it regardless of the amount. Confirm with Chase directly what their current requirements are.

Because Chase is a digital bank, the document submission process is likely to involve uploading files through a secure online portal rather than sending originals by post. Check Chase's bereavement guidance for current upload requirements and accepted file formats.

Chase UK's probate threshold

Chase UK does not widely publish an internal probate threshold in the same way traditional banks do. As a newer bank, its processes are still evolving. In practice, Chase may release smaller balances on sight of a death certificate and executor identification, while requiring a Grant of Probate for larger amounts.

Confirm the current Chase UK requirements directly when you begin the bereavement notification. Do not assume the threshold matches any other bank's figure.

What the executor needs to do

Chase UK's digital setup means the executor needs to be comfortable working online. The key steps are:

• Access the Chase bereavement process via the app or website and register the death.
• Submit required documents through Chase's secure upload system.
• Obtain a date-of-death balance from Chase, which forms part of the estate accounts.
• Provide bank details for the estate account so Chase can transfer funds once the account is closed. Chase will not be able to send a cheque to a physical address in the way a traditional bank might.

If the deceased was the sole Chase account holder and no one else has access to the account, Chase should be able to provide information directly to the executor once their authority is confirmed. Do not attempt to access the deceased's Chase account using their login credentials, as this could create complications in the bereavement process.

How long does it take

Timescales will depend on Chase's internal processing and whether probate is required:

• Below the threshold: Once documents are submitted and verified, Chase should process the account closure within a few weeks, though timescales for a digital bank of this age are not as well established as for traditional banks.
• Above the threshold: Accounts remain frozen until the Grant of Probate is received. Obtaining probate can take several months. Once Chase receives the sealed grant, they should process the closure in line with their standard timescale.

If you do not receive a response within three to four weeks of submitting documents, follow up through Chase's support channels with any reference number they provided.

Chase UK bereavement contact details

Chase UK operates entirely online. There is no postal address for customers, no physical branches, and no direct bereavement phone line in the traditional sense. Start at their website:

• Online: chase.co.uk/bereavement
• In-app: Access the Chase app's help or support section and search for bereavement.

Chase UK's processes and contact options can change. Always check the Chase website for the most current bereavement guidance before starting.

For a full walkthrough of closing accounts across multiple institutions, see closing bank accounts after death. For the general notification process, see notifying banks after death. For a complete list of documents, see documents to close a bank account after death.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Assuming a published threshold is current. Banks change these limits quietly. Ask the bereavement team what applies to this estate before deciding whether to apply for probate.
• Letting property bills lapse. When the account freezes, buildings insurance or council tax paid by direct debit stops too. Move essential payments so cover does not drop.
• Ordering too few death certificates. Each institution wants its own certified copy. Order several when you register the death — they are far cheaper up front than requested later.
• Waiting for probate before notifying. You notify first; probate (if needed at all) comes later. Freezing the account early protects the estate.¹

Frequently asked questions

Do I need probate to close a Chase UK account?

Only if the balance is above the bank's own release limit. Below it, most banks pay out on the death certificate, your ID and a short estate declaration; above it they hold the money until you produce a sealed Grant of Probate.²

How long does it take to release the money?

For balances under the threshold, usually a few weeks once the paperwork is in. Above the threshold the account stays frozen until probate is granted, which itself is usually within 12 weeks of a complete application, then a short release window after.

What happens to a joint account?

It passes automatically to the surviving account holder by right of survivorship, so it is not frozen and does not need probate. You still notify the bank so the deceased's name is removed.³

Can I use the Death Notification Service instead of calling?

Yes. The free Death Notification Service lets you tell several banks and building societies at once through one online form, which saves repeating yourself if the person banked in more than one place.

What documents will they ask for?

A certified copy of the death certificate, your photo ID and proof of address, the will if there is one, and — for larger balances — the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration once you have it.²