Closing a Wise Account After Death

Wise holds balances as e-money across currencies, not as a bank deposit. 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

Wise, formerly known as TransferWise, is a UK-based financial technology company that provides online international money transfers and multi-currency accounts. Wise operates entirely online, with no physical branches. If the person who has died held a Wise account, you will need to notify Wise through their support system so the account can be frozen, a date-of-death balance obtained across all currencies held, and funds released to the estate.

What a Wise account holds

A Wise account is more complex than a standard UK current account. Wise account holders can hold balances in dozens of currencies simultaneously, send and receive money internationally, and use a debit card linked to the account. The account may hold:

• GBP and other currency balances across multiple currency pots.
• Pending international transfers that have not yet been completed.
• Active recurring transfers or scheduled payments.

As executor, your first step is to establish what currencies are held and the balance in each at the date of death. This will require communication with Wise and may require you to request a statement showing all balances.

How Wise holds funds

Wise is not a bank. It is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and operates as an authorised electronic money institution. Customer funds are safeguarded separately from Wise's own money, meaning they should be protected if Wise were to become insolvent. However, Wise accounts are not covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) in the same way as bank deposits.

For estate administration purposes, Wise balances are still assets of the estate and must be reported and dealt with accordingly.

How to notify Wise of a death

Wise handles all bereavement notifications through its online support system. There are no branches and no telephone line for customers:

• Via the Wise support ticket system: Go to wise.com and submit a support request. Explain that you are an executor dealing with a bereavement and need to begin the account closure process. Wise's support team will advise on the current process and what documents are required.
• Via email or online form: Wise may direct you to a specific email address or online form for bereavement cases. Check their current help pages for the most up-to-date contact route.

Record the date of your notification and keep all correspondence. Ask for a case reference number. Because everything is handled in writing, maintaining a clear record is straightforward.

Documents you will need

Wise will ask for documents to verify the death and confirm your authority as executor. Expect to submit:

• Original death certificate or a certified copy. Wise will ask you to upload a scanned copy through their support system. Order several certified copies when you register the death, as other institutions will also need them.
• Proof of your identity as executor: a passport or driving licence. Wise may require this in digital form.
• The original will (if one exists): Wise may ask to confirm your status as executor.
• Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration: for larger balances, Wise may require probate before releasing funds. Confirm current requirements directly with Wise.

For smaller balances, Wise may release funds on sight of the death certificate and executor identification. Confirm what applies in the specific case when you first make contact.

Multi-currency balances and exchange rates

One of the most important practical issues with a Wise account is the presence of multiple currency balances. When Wise closes the account and releases funds to the estate, they will typically convert non-GBP balances into GBP. The exchange rate applied will be the rate at the time of the conversion, which may be different from the rate on the date of death.

For the estate accounts, you will need the GBP equivalent of each currency balance at the date of death, not at the time of account closure. Ask Wise for a statement showing all balances at the date of death and the applicable exchange rates at that point.

If the estate has significant foreign currency holdings in the Wise account, consider whether the timing of the conversion could have a material impact and discuss this with Wise before agreeing to close the account immediately.

Additional documentation for some countries

If the deceased held balances linked to accounts in other countries, or if the Wise account was used heavily for international transfers involving specific jurisdictions, Wise may ask for additional documentation. This could include certified translations of documents or country-specific legal paperwork. This is more likely if the estate has an international dimension. Wise's support team will advise if this applies.

How long does it take

Wise's bereavement process is less well established than that of traditional banks, and timescales can vary:

• Smaller balances: Where probate is not required, the process may be completed within a few weeks of documents being submitted and verified.
• Larger balances: Where probate is required, the account closure will be delayed until the Grant of Probate is obtained. Applying for probate typically takes several months. Once Wise receives the sealed grant, they should process the closure within a reasonable timeframe, though exact timescales are not published.

If you have not received a response within three to four weeks of submitting documents, follow up via the same support channel with your case reference number.

Wise bereavement contact details

Wise operates entirely online. There are no branches and no postal address for customer use.

• Support: Submit a request at wise.com/help and select the bereavement or account closure category.

Wise's processes and contact details can change. Always check the Wise website for current guidance before starting the bereavement notification.

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 Wise 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