Estate planning as a Depop account holder
Depop Ltd. (Etsy, pending eBay acquisition) reviews transfer requests for accounts individually upon receipt of documentation
OverviewWhen someone dies
Depop is a peer-to-peer fashion marketplace popular with Gen Z. Users buy and sell secondhand clothing, vintage items, and handmade goods. Depop was acquired by Etsy in 2021 for $1.625 billion. On February 18, 2026, eBay and Etsy jointly announced a definitive agreement for eBay to acquire Depop for approximately $1.2 billion in cash. Per Etsy's Q1 2026 shareholder letter, the transaction is now expected to close by the end of the third quarter of 2026, subject to remaining regulatory approvals (U.S. and Germany clearances received; UK and Australia reviews in progress). As of May 2026 the deal has not yet closed and Depop continues to operate as an Etsy subsidiary. A Depop seller account holds listed inventory, Depop Balance (US sellers), transaction history, and buyer reviews. Depop has a deceased user policy: only immediate family members can request account closure with proof of relationship and proof of death, submitted via the Help Centre or by emailing close@depop.com. Accounts cannot be transferred. Any Depop Balance must be withdrawn and all outstanding sales completed or refunded before the account can be closed. Seller payouts are processed through Depop Payments (powered by Stripe), and if Depop terminates an account they may withhold unpaid amounts for 180 days from the transaction date.
When a Depop account holder dies, their accounts may be transferred to a designated person at Depop Ltd. (Etsy, pending eBay acquisition)'s sole discretion. A transfer is not guaranteed, and satisfactory documentation is required before processing any request.
What happens at death
Depop has a deceased user account closure process documented in their Help Centre. Only immediate family members can request closure. Depop requires proof of relationship to the user (such as a driving licence or passport) and proof of the account owner's death (such as a death certificate or a link to an obituary). Before the account can be closed, the family member must withdraw any funds from the Depop Balance, complete or refund any outstanding sales, and resolve any open disputes. Account transfer is not available -- closure is the only option. Requests can be submitted via the Depop Help Centre request form or by email to close@depop.com. The Terms of Service provide that if Depop suspends or terminates access to the Service, they may withhold any amounts that have not yet been paid out for 180 days from the applicable transaction date (or longer where required by law enforcement or sanctions rules).
How to protect your Depop accounts
Because Depop Ltd. (Etsy, pending eBay acquisition) reviews transfer requests on a case-by-case basis, there is no guarantee that accounts will be transferred after death. Lifetime planning reduces dependence on that outcome.
6 lifetime planning steps for your Depop accounts:
1
Keep your seller balance low by ensuring payouts process regularly. Verify your payout bank account is one the executor can access. Funds in the Depop/Stripe pipeline at death may be subject to the 180-day hold.
2
Ship all outstanding orders promptly. The estate is liable for unfulfilled sales. Keeping no outstanding orders simplifies the closure process.
3
Document your Depop login credentials for your executor. Direct account access is the most reliable way to manage the seller balance, fulfill orders, and withdraw funds.
4
If you maintain significant inventory listed on Depop, document it in your estate plan. The items have value independent of the Depop account and can be sold through other channels.
5
Consider that buyer reviews and seller reputation cannot be transferred. If you operate a significant resale business on Depop, the estate loses the accumulated reputation when the account is closed.
6
Be aware that Depop is being acquired by eBay (expected to close by end of Q3 2026). Estate policies may change after the acquisition closes. If you also sell on eBay, consider consolidating your resale business there for simpler estate planning.
Family sharing
Depop accounts are non-transferable. The Terms of Service explicitly prohibit transferring account ownership to another person. Accounts cannot be sold, gifted, or transferred to heirs. There is no multi-user access, delegate, or family sharing feature. The only option for deceased users is account closure. Seller balances are processed through Stripe and flow to the linked bank account.
When someone dies
Handling Depop accounts after a death
Transfer is handled on a case-by-case basis, 8-step process, and 2 required documents.
View details →Depop does not support beneficiary designations. Unlike bank accounts or investment accounts, there is no way to formally name a beneficiary on this type of account.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. As of May 2026 Etsy still owns Depop. eBay and Etsy announced a definitive agreement on February 18, 2026, for eBay to acquire Depop for approximately $1.2 billion in cash. The transaction was unanimously approved by both boards. U.S. and Germany regulatory clearances have been received; UK and Australia reviews are in progress. Per Etsy's Q1 2026 shareholder letter, the deal is now expected to close by the end of Q3 2026. Depop will retain its name, brand, and platform as a standalone marketplace under eBay after closing.
Sources
Data sourced from Depop Ltd. (Etsy, pending eBay acquisition) primary sources (8 pages reviewed). How we research.
