How to Notify Fidelity of a Death
Online tool. Fidelity's death notification is an online tool. Have the decedent's Social Security number or ITIN ready — you can start without a death certificate and provide it later.
Fidelity — contact info
- Estate / bereavement phone
- 800-544-0003
- Hours
- Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 6:30 PM ET
What Fidelity requires
Decedent's SSN or ITIN
Required to begin the notification — have it ready before starting.
Death certificate
Not required to start. You can begin the process without one and provide it later.
Your contact information
Used to determine next steps and to reach you if anything else is needed.
What to expect
Processing time: Next steps (including beneficiary asset transfer) are determined after the notification and your information are reviewed.
A letter you can send Fidelity 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.
Fidelity Investments 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. Fidelity's death notification is handled through an online tool (SSN-based, no death certificate required to start). Call and use the phrase "report a death" to reach the right team by phone instead. 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 Fidelity can reach you.
Most estates need this same letter for eight or nine institutions, not just Fidelity. 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.
Fidelity death notification FAQ
How do I notify Fidelity of a death?
Online tool. Fidelity's death notification is an online tool. Have the decedent's Social Security number or ITIN ready — you can start without a death certificate and provide it later.
What documents does Fidelity require?
Decedent's SSN or ITIN — Required to begin the notification — have it ready before starting. Death certificate — Not required to start. You can begin the process without one and provide it later. Your contact information — Used to determine next steps and to reach you if anything else is needed.
How long does the process take with Fidelity?
Next steps (including beneficiary asset transfer) are determined after the notification and your information are reviewed.
What if my loved one had other accounts besides Fidelity?
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 Fidelity's official website on July 18, 2026. Requirements, contact info, and processes change — confirm current requirements with Fidelity's official page before relying on this guide. Estate Assist provides general information, not legal advice.