What happens to a LinkedIn account when someone dies
LinkedIn publishes its own process for a deceased person's account; a request goes in through LinkedIn's online form.
LinkedIn decides what happens to a LinkedIn account after a death case by case; its terms promise no transfer.
LinkedIn publishes its own process for a deceased person's account: Memorialize or close the account of a deceased member; a request goes in through LinkedIn's online form. The request takes 4 documents.
How to request a transfer
- •Memorialization locks the account and keeps the profile visible with a memorialized badge. Anyone can report the member as deceased.
- •Closure deletes the account and its data. Only an authorized representative with court documents can request closure.
- •Letters of Administration.
- •Letters of Testamentary.
- •Letters of Representation.
- •A court order appointing the executor as authorized representative of the estate.
- •Lists the company in their Experience section.
- •Verifies a company email.
- •Follows the Page.
- •Requests admin access.
Required Documents
- The member's full name, profile link or URL, and your relationship to the member: For either request. LinkedIn lists these as required.
- The member's email address, date of passing, and a link to an obituary or news article: LinkedIn lists these as additional details that help it process the request.
- A copy of the member's death certificate: For closure requests only
- A court-issued document appointing an authorized representative: For closure requests. Letters of Administration, Letters of Testamentary, Letters of Representation, or another court order appointing you as an authorized representative for the deceased member's estate.
What LinkedIn Corporation (Microsoft)'s terms say at death
- Section 2.2
“not share or transfer your account or any part of it (e.g., sell or transfer the personal data of others by transferring your connections)”1
What LinkedIn Corporation (Microsoft) says happens8
- Memorialization
Memorialization locks access to the account and adds a memorialized badge to the profile. Mobile and desktop sessions expire immediately, and connections to third-party services are terminated.2
Within 48 hours LinkedIn stops notifications to and about the member, connection requests, and the member's visibility in Recommended connections and People you may know.2
Anyone can report a member as deceased with the member's name, profile URL and the reporter's relationship to them, and the report routes to memorialization.3
- Disclosure of account content
A memorialized profile keeps posts, articles, recommendations, skills and endorsements, experience, education, connections and messaging history, but the account stays locked and nothing in it is released.2
- Closing the account
Only an authorized representative with court-issued documentation can request closure of a deceased member's account.4
- Deletion and data retention
After the account is marked as closed, LinkedIn states it "can take up to 30 days to completely delete the data from our system."2
The Privacy Policy (section 4.3) states that closed-account personal data generally stops being visible to others within 24 hours, and that LinkedIn generally deletes closed account information within 30 days of closure.5
Closure deletes the account data and is not reversible.6
- Subscriptions and billing
Memorialization cancels LinkedIn products, including Premium and Sales Navigator, except subscriptions purchased through Apple.2
A LinkedIn subscription bought through Apple keeps billing until it is cancelled through Apple. LinkedIn "can't provide any billing support for Apple App Store purchases" and directs payment inquiries and refund requests to Apple.7
- Passwords and login
LinkedIn states "We won't disclose any usernames or passwords to anyone, including family members, under any circumstances," and that it is against its policy to allow others to sign in to another member's account.2
- Verifying the requester
For closure, LinkedIn does not accept identity documents of the deceased, wills, trusts or powers of attorney, email authorizations, unsigned documents, screenshots, legal contracts or other informal documents.2
- Continuing a shop, channel or listing
If the deceased was one of several admins of a LinkedIn Page, the remaining admins keep access and can add a replacement.8
If the deceased was the sole admin, the route is a request for admin access, not an inheritance: a current employee lists the organization in their Experience section, verifies a company email, follows the Page and requests access.8
Forms LinkedIn uses2
- Close the account of a deceased member
Requesting closure of a deceased member's account; it requires an authorized representative and court-issued documentation.4
Completed by an authorized representative. Completed online.
- Report a deceased member
Reporting a member as deceased, which routes to memorialization; anyone can use it.3
Completed by anyone. Completed online.
Not in LinkedIn's published guidance6
- How long a request takes
- A mailing address for a written request
- A phone number for this
- Release of a deceased member's messages, connections or account data
- Whether a memorialized profile can later be closed
- Preserving LinkedIn Learning certificates or course history
Sources8
- 1.LinkedIn User Agreement, effective November 3, 2025
- 2.Memorialize or close the account of a deceased member
- 3.Report a deceased member
- 4.Close the account of a deceased member
- 5.LinkedIn Privacy Policy
- 6.Deceased LinkedIn member
- 7.Cancel LinkedIn Premium subscription purchased via Apple App Store
- 8.Request admin access to a LinkedIn Page
A written request to LinkedIn can ask it to memorialize the account, close the account and preserve the account while the estate is opened.
Digital Assets Recovery Letter for LinkedIn drafts that request from the estate's details.
Sources
Data sourced from LinkedIn Corporation (Microsoft) primary sources (9 pages reviewed). How we research.
LinkedIn estate claims
LinkedIn Deceased Member Requests
Website
More from Microsoft
Is this your situation?
Get a complete guide for your specific circumstances.
Forms for Settling an Estate
Free forms for settling an estate: the probate petition, small estate affidavit, notice to creditors, inventory, and closing forms.
Digital Assets Recovery Letter
Prepare a letter requesting a deceased person's online accounts, points, and balances from the program that holds them.
Petition for Probate and Letters
Open probate and ask the court to appoint you and issue Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration.
Notice to Creditors
Notify estate creditors and start the claim period — the published notice plus mailed copies for known creditors.
Renunciation of Executor
Decline an appointment as executor named in a will — the writing filed with the court before anyone is appointed.
Affidavit of Heirship
Prepare the sworn statement of a deceased person's family history and heirs for recording in the county land records, with your state's recording instructions.
Small Estate Affidavit
Collect a small estate's property without probate — the sworn affidavit presented to banks and other holders, with a presentation letter for each.
Tools for Settling an Estate
Free tools for settling an estate: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines, and inheritance taxes.
How Many Death Certificates Do I Need?
Calculate how many certified death certificates you need and see ordering info for your state.
Do I Need Probate?
Find out if an estate needs probate or qualifies for simplified procedures.
Do I Have to File Tax Returns for Someone Who Died?
Find out which tax returns need to be filed after someone dies and whether tax clearance is required.
How Do I Settle an Estate?
Personalized plan for settling an estate after someone passes away.
What Do I Do When Someone Dies?
A step-by-step checklist for the days, weeks, and months after a death, with state rules noted where they apply.
How Much Are Estate & Inheritance Taxes?
Calculate federal estate tax, state estate tax, and inheritance tax for an estate.
