Losing someone is hard enough without a pile of admin on top. This page explains, in plain steps, how to tell TSB that someone has died, what they will ask for and what happens next.
At a glance
- Bereavement team: 0345 835 7834 (Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm, Saturday 9am to 2pm)
- Online: an online bereavement form
- Death Notification Service: Member, so you can tell several banks in one go
- Grant of probate usually needed above: £25,000
- Official page: https://www.tsb.co.uk/help-and-support/bereavement-and-coping-with-loss.html
How to tell TSB
You can notify TSB by phone or using an online bereavement form. You do not need every document ready before you get in touch. Tell them first, and they will explain exactly what to send and at what pace.
If the person banked with more than one provider, the free Death Notification Service lets you tell TSB and other members in a single submission at deathnotificationservice.co.uk. The records are updated and the team gets in touch within about ten days.
Documents you’ll usually need
- The death certificate, or an interim certificate from the coroner.
- Proof of who you are, such as a passport or driving licence.
- The account details you have for the person who died.
- The will if there is one, plus a grant of probate or letters of administration if TSB asks for it.
What happens after you tell them
Once TSB has what it needs, it will freeze the accounts, stop any cards and explain how the money is dealt with. TSB usually needs a grant of probate or confirmation when the person’s sole accounts total more than £25,000. Below that it can often release the money on production of the death certificate, proof of entitlement and a signed indemnity. Joint accounts usually pass to the surviving holder rather than counting towards this. Timescales vary, so ask the bereavement team what to expect for your situation.
Contact details
- Phone: 0345 835 7834 (Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm, Saturday 9am to 2pm)
- Online: an online bereavement form
- Official bereavement page: https://www.tsb.co.uk/help-and-support/bereavement-and-coping-with-loss.html
Common questions
Do I need probate to close a TSB account?
TSB usually needs a grant of probate or confirmation when the person’s sole accounts total more than £25,000. Below that it can often release the money on production of the death certificate, proof of entitlement and a signed indemnity.
Can I notify TSB and other banks at once?
Yes. TSB is a member of the free Death Notification Service, so you can notify it and other member banks in one submission at deathnotificationservice.co.uk.
Who can report the death?
Anyone can make the first contact. TSB can only release money to the person entitled to deal with the estate, usually the executor named in the will or the next of kin.
You might also need
Last reviewed June 2026. Details such as phone numbers and thresholds can change, so please confirm with TSB on its official page before you act. This is general information, not legal or financial advice.
Source: https://www.tsb.co.uk/help-and-support/bereavement-and-coping-with-loss.html
