What happens to DistroKid accounts when the owner dies
DistroKid LLC has a formal process for transferring accounts after an account holder dies
DistroKid Support
Timeline
No published timeline for account-access decisions. Once a withdrawal is requested from the DistroKid Bank, funds are typically delivered within 14 days via the selected payout method. Streaming services report earnings 1-2 months after the streaming period, with most earnings appearing roughly 3 months after a release goes live -- some services report less frequently (twice a year).
WebsiteSubmit claim online →
HoursEmail and help center only; no published phone support
(General customer service)
Verified Jun 2026
DistroKid has no published bereavement or deceased-user policy. The Terms of Service (last updated September 1, 2024) do not address death, succession, or estate transfer. In practice, the account continues functioning as long as the subscription auto-renews via the linked payment method. If the subscription lapses, DistroKid sends takedown requests and music is removed from streaming services -- unless the "Leave a Legacy" album extra was purchased for the individual release. Without Leave a Legacy, the estate must keep the subscription paid to keep the catalog live. Because DistroKid takes no ownership of the music (per distrokid.com/agreement), copyright passes to the estate through normal inheritance and the recordings can be re-distributed by an heir through DistroKid or another distributor.
How to request a transfer
Here is the process for transferring DistroKid accounts after the account holder dies:
1
Contact DistroKid support at support.distrokid.com using the help center contact form, or by emailing the address listed on the support page. DistroKid does not offer phone support. There is no formal estate process, so requests are handled case-by-case.
2
Provide a death certificate and documentation of executor or administrator authority. Specific requirements are not published by DistroKid, but these are the standard documents requested for account-access requests across the industry.
3
Inventory the catalog and check the status of each release:
- •If the subscription is active and auto-renewing: releases remain on streaming services and earnings continue to accrue in the DistroKid Bank.
- •If "Leave a Legacy" was purchased for a release: that specific release stays live on streaming services even if the subscription lapses (Leave a Legacy is per-release, not account-wide).
- •If the subscription has lapsed and Leave a Legacy was not purchased: DistroKid sends takedown requests to streaming services and the release is removed.
4
If the estate has login credentials, sign in to manage the catalog, withdraw accrued earnings at distrokid.com/bank, purchase Leave a Legacy for releases worth keeping live, update Splits to route royalties to heirs, and update the payout method at distrokid.com/payouts.
5
Withdraw accrued earnings. The minimum withdrawal is $6 USD. Earnings move through Tipalti, DistroKid's payout processor. Once a withdrawal is requested, funds are typically delivered within 14 days via the selected payout method (ACH, eCheck, paper check, wire, or PayPal -- fees vary).
6
Update tax information. DistroKid issues a 1099 or 1042 via email from statements@tax1099.com for the prior fiscal year if a withdrawal was taken. If the tax identity changes mid-year (for example, withdrawals are now taken under the estate's EIN), each distinct payee receives separate forms for the withdrawals taken under their validated tax identity. The estate should update payout/tax information before taking further withdrawals.
7
Maintain the subscription if the catalog generates meaningful ongoing revenue. The Musician Plan starts at $24.99/year. Ensure the linked payment method stays active or update it to one the executor controls; a payment failure triggers takedowns for any release without Leave a Legacy.
8
If the catalog will not be maintained, register the deceased artist's songs and recordings directly with a performing rights organization (ASCAP, BMI, SESAC) and the Mechanical Licensing Collective (themlc.com) under the estate or heir as rights holder. These royalty streams are independent of DistroKid and continue regardless of distribution status.
Required Documents
- Not formally published by DistroKid
- Likely required: death certificate and proof of executor or administrator authority (letters testamentary, letters of administration, or equivalent)
- Government-issued photo ID of the person requesting access
- Updated W-9 or W-8 if the estate will take further withdrawals under a new tax identity
Timeline
No published timeline for account-access decisions. Once a withdrawal is requested from the DistroKid Bank, funds are typically delivered within 14 days via the selected payout method. Streaming services report earnings 1-2 months after the streaming period, with most earnings appearing roughly 3 months after a release goes live -- some services report less frequently (twice a year).
Frequently asked questions
If the subscription continues to auto-renew, releases stay on streaming services and royalties accrue in the DistroKid Bank. If the subscription lapses, DistroKid sends takedown requests and releases are removed -- unless the per-release "Leave a Legacy" album extra was purchased, in which case those specific releases remain live. DistroKid takes no ownership of the music (per the Terms of Service and distribution agreement at distrokid.com/agreement), so copyright passes to the estate through normal inheritance and the recordings can be re-distributed by an heir at any time.
Streaming services report earnings 1-2 months after the streaming period, so earnings from streams in a given month typically appear in the DistroKid Bank a few months later. Withdrawals are processed through Tipalti and typically arrive within 14 days of the request via the selected payout method (ACH, eCheck, paper check, wire, or PayPal). The minimum withdrawal is $6 USD. The estate needs account login credentials to request a withdrawal -- DistroKid has no published process for paying out balances directly to an estate without account access.
Once transferred, accounts are subject to the program's standard terms. Having the deceased account holder's details documented in advance makes the transfer process significantly easier for the family.
Sources
Data sourced from DistroKid LLC primary sources (19 pages reviewed). How we research.
DistroKid Support
Timeline
No published timeline for account-access decisions. Once a withdrawal is requested from the DistroKid Bank, funds are typically delivered within 14 days via the selected payout method. Streaming services report earnings 1-2 months after the streaming period, with most earnings appearing roughly 3 months after a release goes live -- some services report less frequently (twice a year).
WebsiteSubmit claim online →
HoursEmail and help center only; no published phone support
(General customer service)
Verified Jun 2026
