Closing a Chase UK Account After Death
Checked against current GOV.UK probate and Inheritance Tax guidance for England & Wales (2026/27).
- Chase UK has no branches — you notify by phone (0800 376 3333), email, post or the Death Notification Service, not at a counter.4
- You will need a certified copy of the death certificate and your own photo ID to open the bereavement case; a Grant of Probate is only needed later, if the balance is above the bank's release limit.2
- The balance at which the bank asks for probate varies by institution and can change without notice — confirm the current figure directly with them rather than relying on any published number.
- A joint account normally passes to the surviving holder by survivorship, so probate is not needed to keep using it — but you still tell the bank so the name is removed.3
Chase UK is a digital bank with no branches. Start the bereavement process by phone, email, post or the Death Notification Service, send a 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. Everyday banking is done in the Chase app; for a bereavement, Chase gives a phone line, an email address, a postal address and the Death Notification Service.4 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. Chase's bereavement page gives these routes:4
- By phone: 0800 376 3333 from the UK, or +44 20 3493 0829 from abroad. Chase does not publish the hours.4
- By email: bereavements.uk@chase.com4
- By post: Bereavement Team, Chase UK, PO Box 17507, Edinburgh EH12 1PX, with a copy of the death certificate.4
- Death Notification Service: Chase recommends this free online form if you need to tell several banks; it says it will contact you within 10 working days.4
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 publish a probate threshold on its bereavement page; it asks for a grant of representation if you have one.4 Ask the bereavement team whether a grant is needed for this estate.
Confirm the current Chase UK requirements directly when you begin the bereavement notification. Do not assume the threshold matches any other bank's figure.
Note: Chase UK's bereavement processes are relatively new and may have been updated since this guide was written. Always check chase.co.uk for the current process before starting. Contact details and requirements can change.
What the executor needs to do
Chase UK's digital setup means the executor needs to be comfortable working online. The key steps are:
- Tell Chase about the death by phone, email, post or the Death Notification Service.
- 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 has no branches. Checked on chase.co.uk on 21 October 2026:
- Telephone: 0800 376 3333; from abroad +44 20 3493 0829. Hours not published.4
- Email: bereavements.uk@chase.com4
- Post: Bereavement Team, Chase UK, PO Box 17507, Edinburgh EH12 1PX.4
- Online: chase.co.uk bereavement page
Chase UK's processes and contact options can change. Always check the Chase website for the most current bereavement guidance before starting.
Keeping track of every institution, document sent and response received is one of the core things the Settle workspace helps with. Start the free assessment to get your personalised checklist.
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.
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Start free assessmentCommon 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
Sources & references
The figures and rules in this guide are drawn from the official UK government pages below. Each link opens the relevant GOV.UK page. Always confirm current figures on GOV.UK before you act, as fees and thresholds can change.
- Dealing with the estate of someone who's died — GOV.UK
- Applying for probate — GOV.UK
- What to do when someone dies: step by step — GOV.UK
- Bereavement support — Chase UK
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