Let us know
How we can support you during this difficult time
Send documents
We can only discuss the account if you’re the executor or next of kin and once we’ve received specific documents to confirm this.
Documents you need to send us
Here’s a list of documents that we need you to send us:
The death certificate or coroner’s certificate.
A copy of your proof of identity. Please check the section below to make sure your document is acceptable.
A copy of your proof of home address (unless we have requested proof of business address). This should be a separate document to your proof of identity. Please check the section below make sure your document is acceptable.
A will, if available (with executors’ details and ID)
If the account has more than £5,000 in funds, you will need to provide a grant of probate or a certificate of confirmation from the sheriff court (Scotland only).
Send the documents to:
Zempler Bank
PO Box 5525
Manchester
M61 0QS
Alternatively, send them by email to:
Documents to verify your details
Here’s a list of the documents we’ll accept, broken down into proof of identity and proof of address categories.
It’s important that your documents are clear, legible, valid and current. You also can’t use the same document to verify both your identity and address, so if you’re using your UK Driver’s licence, you’ll also need another form of ID as well.
Proof of identity
Proof of address
Requirements
Proof of identity
Yes
Proof of address
No
Requirements
Needs to be valid.
It can be a passport from any country.
Proof of identity
Yes*
Proof of address
Yes*
Requirement
Include copies of the front and back of your card (we won’t accept just the paper counterpart).
* Licence can’t be used for both proof of identity AND address – a secondary form of ID is also needed.
Proof of identity
Yes
Proof of address
No
Requirement
Include copies of the front and back of your card.
Proof of identity
Yes
Proof of address
No
Requirement
Include copies of the front and back of your card.
Proof of identity
Yes*
Proof of address
Yes*
Requirement
Include copies of the front and back of your licence.
* Licence can’t be used for both proof of identity AND address – a secondary form of ID is also needed.
Proof of identity
Yes
Proof of address
No
Requirement
Include copies of the front and back of your card.
Proof of identity
Yes
Proof of address
No
Requirement
Include copies of the front and back of your card.
Proof of identity
Yes
Proof of address
No
Requirement
Include copies of the front and back of your card.
Proof of identity
Yes
Proof of address
No
Requirement
Include copies of the front and back of your card.
Proof of identity
No
Proof of address
Yes
Requirement
This can be either an original statement or PDF dated within the last three months downloaded from Online Banking.
It can’t be a print out, screenshot or copy.
PDFs are only accepted if they’re accompanied by a UK Passport or UK Drivers Licence.
Proof of identity
No
Proof of address
Yes
Requiremen
This needs to be an original bill dated within the last three months and not a print out or copy.
We won’t accept mobile phone contracts.
Proof of identity
No
Proof of address
Yes
Requirement
A copy from the current or new tax year.
Proof of identity
No
Proof of address
Yes
Requirement
A copy from the current tax year.
Proof of identity
No
Proof of address
Yes
Requirement
Must include your national insurance number and be dated within the last three months.
Proof of identity
No
Proof of address
Yes
Requirement
Must be dated within the last three months.
Can’t be a private tenancy agreement.
Proof of identity
No
Proof of address
Yes
Requirement
Must be an original statement dated within the last three months and not a print out, screenshot or copy.
Proof of identity
No
Proof of address
Yes
Requirement
Must be an original document dated within the last three months and not a print out or copy.
Proof of identity
No
Proof of address
Yes
Requirement
Include a copy dated within the last three months.
Proof of identity
No
Proof of address
Yes
Requirement
Must be an original statement dated within the last three months and not a print out or copy.
Proof of identity
No
Proof of address
Yes
Requirement
Include a copy from the current or new tax year.
Proof of identity
No
Proof of address
Yes
Requirement
Must be an original document dated within the last three months and not a print out or copy.
What happens after you've notified us
Once we have been notified, we will freeze the account of the person who has died until we receive your documents and confirm you are the executor or next of kin. This means the card will be cancelled and no payments will be made out of the account, including Direct Debits and standing orders.
Next steps for the account
Once your documents are reviewed and accepted, we will progress with closing the account or updating the account (see Limited Company or Charity information below).
If the account is closed and there is outstanding borrowing on the account, this will be written off. And if there are funds in the account, these will be transferred to the executor or next of kin.
If the holder of a sole trader bank account has passed away their account will be frozen when we receive notification. This means that no payments will be made out of the account, including Direct Debits and standing orders. Cards will also be cancelled.
Once we receive and review the requested documents, we will write off any debt and transfer funds in the account to the executor or next of kin.
If the person who has died holds a business account for a limited company, we’ll send a letter to the next of kin/executor/solicitor with information on the next steps once we received the death certificate.
If the deceased’s business account is for a limited company, a change of directorship needs to be completed for the business account to continue running. Companies House will need to be notified of the death within 14 days, as well as any change in directorship, and the previous director removed from Companies House Register.
To process this change on the business account, the new director will need to be listed as a director of the company on Companies House. We will need the following documents:
- A letter confirming the new director on company letter headed paper.
- Proof of identity for the new director.
- Proof of address for the new director.
Please mail these documents to:
Zempler Bank
PO Box 5525
Manchester
M61 0QSIf no change of directorship takes place, the business needs to be dissolved by Companies House. Once the business is dissolved, the business account is closed and funds in the business account will be passed to the Crown (Treasury). See Companies House for more information.
If the deceased’s business account is for a charity, a change of directorship/trusteeship needs to be completed for the business account to continue running. The Charity Commission will need to be notified of the change in directorship/trusteeship and the previous director removed from charity register. We’ll then need a letter confirming the new director/trustee to process this change on the business account, as well as proof of identity and proof of address for the new director/trustee and a letter signed by all trustees confirming this request of change of directorship/trusteeship.
To process this change on the business account, the new director/trustee will need to be listed as a director/trustee on the charity register. We will need the following documents:
- A letter confirming the new director on company letter headed paper, which has been signed by the charity’s trustees.
- Proof of identity for the new director.
- Proof of address for the new director.
Please mail these documents to:
Zempler Bank
PO Box 5525
Manchester
M61 0QS