To notify Citibank when someone dies, you can:
- call them on 1-800-950-5114
- speak to the person's relationship manager
- email them at CITIUKIPB.DeceasedSupport@citi.com.
You'll have to send them a copy of the death certificate, along with a few other documents.
First, make a list of all the deceased's Citibank accounts
It's important to find every Citibank account the deceased had. This helps in managing their finances properly after their death.
Look for:
- checking and savings accounts
- credit cards
- loans
- investments
- trust accounts
For each account, gather as much information as you can, such as account numbers, statements or other evidence of recent activity.
Next, find any joint accounts or named beneficiaries
It is important to know which Citibank accounts were shared or had named beneficiaries. This helps manage the accounts correctly after the owner has died.
Joint accounts: These accounts are owned by more than one person. When one owner dies, the account automatically goes to the remaining owner(s). This process does not need legal probate.
If you find joint accounts, tell Citibank and provide a death certificate. The bank will update the account and transfer ownership to the surviving owner(s).
Beneficiaries: Some accounts allow the owner to name people who will receive the account's assets after death. This also skips the legal probate process.
If there are beneficiaries listed on any accounts, you should inform Citibank with the needed documents, including a death certificate and identification for the beneficiaries. The bank will help the beneficiaries get their assets.
After this, you need to gather the right documents and information
The most important document is the death certificate. It will need to be certified by the "issuing authority", which means the government department that gave it to you.
You'll need to send it to:
Citibank Service Center – C/O DCAM
100 Citibank Drive, San Antonio, Texas 78245
You'll also need information about the person who has died, including their:
- name
- date of birth
- date of death
- address
- Social Security number
- spouse's name and date of marriage (if applicable)
Citibank will also need some information about you, including your:
- name
- phone number
- address
- relationship to the person who has died
You'll need to show Citibank some identification, too. This could be your:
- driver's license
- passport
If the person who died had a joint account, or if their accounts had named beneficiaries, you'll need some information about that person, too, like:
- names
- addresses
- Social Security numbers
The account documents you'll need will depend on the Citibank products the deceased held
When you contact Citibank, you might need to share some documents relating the account(s) of the person who has died.
These documents depend on the financial products the deceased held with Citibank.
For checking, saving or Certificate of Deposit (CD) accounts, you'll need:
- a death certificate
- valid ID
- a Letter of Testamentary/ Administration or Small Estate Affidavit
- Letters of Instruction (for In Trust For and Beneficiary Accounts)
For credit cards, you'll need a death certificate to claim rewards.
For trust accounts, you'll need:
- a death certificate
- valid ID
- Certificate of Trust
- A sample of the trust agreement showing the successor trustee
If you're the executor or the administrator of the estate, you should also get a copy of the will and any documents that confirm you're the executor/administrator.
Citibank might ask for other documents, too, such as trust agreements, powers of attorney, or marriage certificates.
Don't worry if you're missing some information.
Sometimes you might not have all the information or documents needed to report a death to Citibank. Here are steps to take in that case.
Call customer service: Start by calling Citibank's customer service. Tell them what information you do have and what you're missing. They can guide you on what to do next.
Get legal help: If you can't find important documents like the death certificate or account details, it might be helpful to talk to a lawyer.
Visit a branch: You can also go to a Citibank branch and explain your situation to someone there. Bank staff are often prepared to handle these issues and can offer help.
It's important to begin the process even if you don’t have all the details. Citibank can often help you figure out what to do or point you to someone who can.
Paying off existing debts
When someone dies, it's important to handle their remaining debts. Here are the steps for managing debts with Citibank.
Notify Citibank of the death: Tell Citibank about the death and give them a death certificate. This stops them from adding more interest or fees to the deceased's accounts.
Understand the debts: Find out all about the debts that are left. This could be credit cards, loans, or mortgages. Ask Citibank for a list of all debts.
Check for insurance: Some debts may be covered by insurance. Check if the person who died had such an insurance policy in place.
Get legal advice: Talk to a lawyer to learn how to properly handle these debts. They can tell you which debts need to be paid first and how to do it legally.
Use estate funds: Debts are usually paid from the deceased's estate. This means using the money and property they left behind. Make sure this is done correctly, possibly with help from a professional.
Keep in touch with Citibank: Stay in contact with Citibank. They can help answer any questions and guide you on how to finalize the deceased's financial issues.
