How to Notify Vanguard of a Death
Online tool. Vanguard's inheritance process is entirely online. Call and mention "change of ownership" if you'd rather speak with someone, including to decline as a beneficiary.
Vanguard — contact info
- Estate / bereavement phone
- 833-552-0898
- Hours
- Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM ET
What Vanguard requires
Decedent's SSN, date of birth, and date of death
Gather before starting the online transfer.
Death certificate
Needed if Vanguard can't verify the death independently.
Estate documents
If applicable to how the account is titled.
Account type
Know which type of account you're inheriting before starting.
What to expect
Online inheritance transfer form: Log in or register, then provide the decedent's information and upload supporting documents.
Note: Vanguard freezes the deceased's account once the transfer request is submitted, to protect it from unauthorized activity.
Processing time: Vanguard notifies you once the transfer is completed; timing depends on how quickly required documents are submitted.
A letter you can send Vanguard 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.
Vanguard 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. Vanguard's inheritance process is entirely online. Call and mention "change of ownership" if you'd rather speak with someone, including to decline as a beneficiary. 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 Vanguard can reach you.
Most estates need this same letter for eight or nine institutions, not just Vanguard. 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.
Vanguard death notification FAQ
How do I notify Vanguard of a death?
Online tool. Vanguard's inheritance process is entirely online. Call and mention "change of ownership" if you'd rather speak with someone, including to decline as a beneficiary.
What documents does Vanguard require?
Decedent's SSN, date of birth, and date of death — Gather before starting the online transfer. Death certificate — Needed if Vanguard can't verify the death independently. Estate documents — If applicable to how the account is titled. Account type — Know which type of account you're inheriting before starting.
How long does the process take with Vanguard?
Vanguard notifies you once the transfer is completed; timing depends on how quickly required documents are submitted.
What if my loved one had other accounts besides Vanguard?
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 Vanguard's official website on July 18, 2026. Requirements, contact info, and processes change — confirm current requirements with Vanguard's official page before relying on this guide. Estate Assist provides general information, not legal advice.