What to do when a eBay account holder dies
eBay Inc. has a formal process for transferring accounts after an account holder dies
OverviewWhen someone dies
eBay Customer Service
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HourseBay routes customer service through its Help & Contact flow. Signed-in members can request a callback or start a chat with an agent; eBay does not publish a main customer service phone number on its help pages.
Deceased Member Account Closure
Timeline
Account closure generally takes 14 days from the date eBay receives the request, and up to 60 days if there have been transactions, payments, claims, or disputes recently. eBay sends a status update to the registered email within 24 hours of the request. Per the Payments Terms of Use, eBay returns unused amounts retained after account closure to the Linked Financial Account within 190 days of account closure, unless the law requires otherwise.
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Verified May 2026
eBay has a formal process for reporting a deceased member, documented at the help article "Reporting the death of an eBay member" (id=5574) with a dedicated form at ocswf.ebay.com/deceased-account-closure. The form requires a death certificate, contact details, relationship to the deceased, and the member's full name, birth date, death date, and username if known. For release of a positive account balance, eBay additionally requires a court order admitting the deceased's will into probate and/or a copy of the court order appointing the executor, plus the requestor's photo identification (passport or driver's license, with all information displayed). Sensitive fields on the ID (ID number, place of birth, nationality, date of issue, height, eye color, photo, and signature) may be hidden as long as the ID card remains recognizable as a valid form of ID. The same documentation is required to request closure of the account. The only documented outcome is account closure -- not account transfer or continued operation. The User Agreement prohibits transferring an eBay account "(including feedback) and user ID to another party without our consent," but no formal path to obtain consent for estate transfers is documented. Per the Payments Terms of Use, eBay may keep a portion of funds after account closure to cover refunds or disputes and returns unused amounts to the Linked Financial Account within 190 days of account closure, unless the law requires otherwise.
How to request a transfer
Follow these steps to initiate a transfer of eBay accounts after the account holder's death:
1
If you have the account credentials: sign in directly and manage the account. This is the most practical path.
2
If you do NOT have credentials: use eBay's deceased member reporting process. Submit the form at ocswf.ebay.com/deceased-account-closure with:
- •Your full name and contact details
- •Relationship to the deceased
- •Deceased member's full name, birth date, and death date
- •Username (if known)
- •Official copy of the death certificate (uploaded via the form)
3
If the account has a positive balance OR you are requesting closure, eBay requires additional documentation showing authorization to act on behalf of the deceased member:
- •A court order admitting the deceased's will into probate, and/or
- •A copy of the court order appointing the executor of the deceased's estate
- •Your own photo identification (passport or driver's license) with all information displayed. Sensitive fields (ID number, place of birth, nationality, date of issue, height, eye color, photo, and signature) may be hidden as long as the ID card remains recognizable
4
Understand the fund hold. Per the Payments Terms of Use, eBay may keep a portion of funds after account closure to cover refunds or disputes and will return unused amounts to the Linked Financial Account within 190 days of account closure, unless the law requires otherwise. eBay may also require a rolling or minimum reserve to manage risk.
5
Ensure the linked bank account is still open. Funds are paid to the Linked Financial Account on file. The Payments Terms note that in certain circumstances eBay may permit payouts to a Linked Financial Account owned or controlled by a legal representative; contact eBay before closure to confirm whether this applies.
6
For active listings and pending orders: an account close request generally takes 14 days, and up to 60 days if there have been transactions, payments, claims, or disputes recently. Active listings end at closure. Unfulfilled orders may result in buyer claims under the Money Back Guarantee, with refunds deducted from the account balance before disbursement.
7
For eBay Store subscriptions: yearly subscriptions carry an early termination fee if canceled before the last month per the Store Subscription Terms. Whether eBay waives this fee for deceased account holders is not documented.
Required Documents
- Official copy of the death certificate
- Deceased member's full name, birth date, and death date
- eBay username (if known)
- Court order admitting the deceased's will into probate, and/or court order appointing the executor (required for releasing a positive balance and for closing the account)
- Requestor's photo identification -- passport or driver's license with all information displayed; sensitive fields may be hidden as long as the ID card remains recognizable
Timeline
Account closure generally takes 14 days from the date eBay receives the request, and up to 60 days if there have been transactions, payments, claims, or disputes recently. eBay sends a status update to the registered email within 24 hours of the request. Per the Payments Terms of Use, eBay returns unused amounts retained after account closure to the Linked Financial Account within 190 days of account closure, unless the law requires otherwise.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. eBay has a formal deceased member reporting process documented at the help article "Reporting the death of an eBay member" with a dedicated form at ocswf.ebay.com/deceased-account-closure. The form requires the deceased's information, your relationship, and an uploaded copy of the death certificate. To release a positive balance or to formally close the account, eBay additionally requires a court order admitting the deceased's will into probate and/or a court order appointing the executor, plus the requestor's photo identification (passport or driver's license). The only documented outcome is account closure, not transfer.
Not through any formal process. The User Agreement prohibits transferring accounts "including feedback" without eBay's consent, but no process exists to obtain consent for estate-based transfers. The accumulated feedback score, Top Rated Seller status, and seller reputation cannot be transferred to a new account.
Per the Payments Terms of Use, eBay may keep a portion of funds after account closure to cover refunds or disputes and returns unused amounts to the Linked Financial Account within 190 days of account closure, unless the law requires otherwise. eBay may also require a rolling or minimum reserve to manage risk. To authorize release of a positive balance to the estate, eBay requires a court order admitting the deceased's will into probate and/or a court order appointing the executor, submitted via the deceased member report form.
A request to close the account generally takes 14 days from receipt, and up to 60 days if there have been transactions, payments, claims, or disputes recently. Active listings end when the account is closed. For sold items awaiting shipment, buyers can file Money Back Guarantee claims, and refunds are deducted from the account balance before disbursement to the estate.
There is no formal eBay-sanctioned process for this. Community reports suggest some families have informally continued operating accounts, but this is not an official policy. eBay's recommendation is for a new person to register a new account and open a new shop, which means starting with zero feedback.
eBay gift card terms state that once a gift card is redeemed, the remaining balance is attached to the eBay account and is non-transferable. Gift cards are not refundable or redeemable for cash, except to the extent required by law. There is no specific provision for transferring gift card balances to an estate. If the account is closed, unredeemed gift card balances are likely forfeited. Unredeemed physical or digital gift cards (not yet applied to an account) can be used by anyone with the card details.
eBay accounts on different country sites (e.g., ebay.com, ebay.co.uk, ebay.de) are technically separate accounts, even if they share the same seller ID. The deceased member reporting form on ebay.com handles US accounts. For accounts registered on other country-specific eBay sites, you may need to contact that site's customer service separately. Managed payments selling accounts cannot be transferred between countries.
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.
eBay Customer Service
WebsiteVisit website→
HourseBay routes customer service through its Help & Contact flow. Signed-in members can request a callback or start a chat with an agent; eBay does not publish a main customer service phone number on its help pages.
Deceased Member Account Closure
Timeline
Account closure generally takes 14 days from the date eBay receives the request, and up to 60 days if there have been transactions, payments, claims, or disputes recently. eBay sends a status update to the registered email within 24 hours of the request. Per the Payments Terms of Use, eBay returns unused amounts retained after account closure to the Linked Financial Account within 190 days of account closure, unless the law requires otherwise.
WebsiteSubmit claim online →
Verified May 2026