How to Notify Schwab of a Death
Online or phone. Notify online in a few minutes, or call Estate Services. All you need to start is the decedent's name and Social Security number.
Schwab — contact info
- Estate / bereavement phone
- 877-566-2284
- Hours
- Mon–Fri 8:30 AM – 8:00 PM ET
What Schwab requires
Decedent's name and SSN
This alone is enough to notify Schwab and begin securing the accounts.
Death certificate
Can be uploaded at the same time or later — verification typically takes 5 business days once received.
What to expect
Processing time: Most asset transfers are completed in a few weeks, depending on how quickly inheritors complete the required paperwork.
A letter you can send Schwab today
Fill these in and the letter below becomes yours — dated today, ready to print and send. Nothing is saved and you don't need an account.
Your letter asks what the institution requires. It won't claim you're authorised to act for the estate — only a court appointment gives you that, and saying so without one can hold up the process.
Charles Schwab Re: Notification of Death — Account Holder Robert J. Sample Accounts Held: 1 Dear Estate Services Department, I am writing to notify you of the passing of Robert J. Sample. Robert J. Sample held the following accounts with your institution: 1. Account I, [Your Name], am writing regarding the estate of Robert J. Sample, to ask what your institution requires in order to proceed. I respectfully request the following: 1. That all accounts be flagged to reflect the account holder's passing and that activity be frozen to protect estate assets. 2. That you provide date-of-death valuations for all accounts to establish stepped-up cost basis. 3. That you provide instructions and required forms to transfer or close each account in accordance with your institution's procedures. Enclosed please find the required documents listed below. For reference, I can be reached at the contact information below. Call and ask for Estate Services. Schwab's death notification is primarily online; you can upload the death certificate there once available. Sincerely, [Your Name] [Your Address] [Your Phone] [Your Email] Enclosures: - Certified Death Certificate - Government-issued Identification
Fill in the bracketed lines under your signature before you send it, so Schwab can reach you.
Most estates need this same letter for eight or nine institutions, not just Schwab. Estate Assist finds them and drafts a letter for each.
Draft the rest of my letters →Can't find an account login? Check a password manager app like LastPass, 1Password, Bitwarden, or Dashlane — many people store their logins there. Look for a small colored icon in the browser toolbar or on the phone's home screen. You'll need the master password to unlock it — never share that with anyone claiming to need it for notification purposes.
Schwab death notification FAQ
How do I notify Schwab of a death?
Online or phone. Notify online in a few minutes, or call Estate Services. All you need to start is the decedent's name and Social Security number.
What documents does Schwab require?
Decedent's name and SSN — This alone is enough to notify Schwab and begin securing the accounts. Death certificate — Can be uploaded at the same time or later — verification typically takes 5 business days once received.
How long does the process take with Schwab?
Most asset transfers are completed in a few weeks, depending on how quickly inheritors complete the required paperwork.
What if my loved one had other accounts besides Schwab?
Every institution has its own process and required documents. Estate Assist reads the estate's documents, identifies every institution to notify, and drafts a personalized letter for each one automatically.
Other institutions
Checked against Schwab's official website on July 18, 2026. Requirements, contact info, and processes change — confirm current requirements with Schwab's official page before relying on this guide. Estate Assist provides general information, not legal advice.