How to Notify Wells Fargo of a Death
Online, mail, or in person. Ask for the Estate Care Center — a different line from the general 24-hour Customer Service number. Notify online, by mailed Letter of Instruction, or at a branch.
Wells Fargo — contact info
- Estate / bereavement phone
- 888-790-7980
- Hours
- Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 8:30 PM ET
- Mailing address
- Wells Fargo Bank N.A. Estate Care Center Attention: D1118-02D PO Box 71208 Charlotte, NC 28201-1245
What Wells Fargo requires
Certified death certificate
Plus the decedent's full legal name and Social Security number.
Sole-owned accounts
Death certificate, plus probate documentation, a small estate affidavit, or a court order if no beneficiary is named.
Payable/Transfer on Death accounts
Death certificate only.
Joint-owned accounts
Death certificate, to remove the deceased owner from the account.
Trust accounts
Death certificate plus a Certification of Trustee naming the successor trustee.
A letter you can send Wells Fargo 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.
Wells Fargo Wells Fargo Bank N.A. Estate Care Center Attention: D1118-02D PO Box 71208 Charlotte, NC 28201-1245 Re: Notification of Death — Account Holder Robert J. Sample Dear Sir or Madam, I am writing to notify you of the passing of Robert J. Sample. Robert J. Sample held an account with your institution. 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 the account be flagged to reflect the account holder's passing. 2. That all account activity be frozen to protect the estate's assets. 3. That you provide me with instructions and any required forms to transfer or close the account in accordance with your institution's procedures. Enclosed please find a certified copy of the death certificate. Please contact me at your earliest convenience to discuss next steps. 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 Wells Fargo can reach you.
Most estates need this same letter for eight or nine institutions, not just Wells Fargo. 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.
Wells Fargo death notification FAQ
How do I notify Wells Fargo of a death?
Online, mail, or in person. Ask for the Estate Care Center — a different line from the general 24-hour Customer Service number. Notify online, by mailed Letter of Instruction, or at a branch.
What documents does Wells Fargo require?
Certified death certificate — Plus the decedent's full legal name and Social Security number. Sole-owned accounts — Death certificate, plus probate documentation, a small estate affidavit, or a court order if no beneficiary is named. Payable/Transfer on Death accounts — Death certificate only. Joint-owned accounts — Death certificate, to remove the deceased owner from the account. Trust accounts — Death certificate plus a Certification of Trustee naming the successor trustee.
What if my loved one had other accounts besides Wells Fargo?
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 Wells Fargo's official website on July 18, 2026. Requirements, contact info, and processes change — confirm current requirements with Wells Fargo's official page before relying on this guide. Estate Assist provides general information, not legal advice.