What to do when a Microsoft account holder dies
Microsoft Corporation has a formal process for transferring accounts after an account holder dies
OverviewWhen someone dies
Windows Live Custodian of Records
Timeline
Court order / subpoena processing time varies and is determined by Microsoft's legal review on a case-by-case basis. Custodian of Records email requests have historically taken 2-4 weeks for an initial response, though reports of undeliverable replies exist. Microsoft accounts, including Outlook.com and OneDrive, are closed after 2 years of inactivity, and account data is deleted after closure. When the owner closes an account, a 30-day or 60-day reopen window applies before permanent deletion (owner's choice).
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Verified May 2026
Microsoft reviews deceased account requests on a case-by-case basis. The Microsoft Services Agreement (Section 4.a.i) states: "You cannot transfer your Microsoft account credentials to another user or entity." Software licenses and rights to access services are also non-transferable. In the United States, Microsoft requires a valid subpoena or court order formally served on its registered agent before it will consider releasing account content. Microsoft's official support page states faxed or emailed requests cannot be accepted for legal matters. Even with proper legal process, Microsoft may be unable to provide account content, and a subpoena or court order does not guarantee release. Content is released via data delivery, not by granting account access. In Germany, next-of-kin can contact Microsoft support directly with a death certificate, the deceased's ID or passport, inheritance proof (Erbschein) or court proof of sole heirship, and the requestor's ID/passport or power of attorney. In China, a death certificate or deregistration document, relationship proof (Hukou, marriage certificate, or Public Security Bureau certification), the requestor's ID/passport, and a signed statement of intent are required.
How to request a transfer
To request a transfer of Microsoft accounts after an account holder's death, follow these steps:
1
United States: Obtain a valid subpoena or court order directed to Microsoft's registered agent in your state. Microsoft's bereavement support page (https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/account-billing/accessing-outlook-com-onedrive-and-other-microsoft-services-when-someone-has-died-ebbd2860-917e-4b39-9913-212362da6b2f) states that faxed or emailed requests cannot be accepted for legal matters.
- •Consult an attorney to obtain a valid subpoena or court order compelling Microsoft to release account content
- •Serve the legal process on Microsoft's registered agent in your state (CT Corporation System is Microsoft's registered agent in most U.S. states)
- •Microsoft will review and determine whether it can lawfully release the content; release is not guaranteed
2
Alternative (Windows Live Custodian of Records): Microsoft support answers and the Microsoft Q&A forum direct next-of-kin to contact the Windows Live Custodian of Records at msrecord@microsoft.com to initiate a request for deceased or incapacitated account access or closure. This channel is not prominently linked from the main bereavement page, and some requesters have reported undeliverable responses; confirm the current contact on support.microsoft.com before relying on it.
3
Germany: Contact Microsoft customer support directly with the following documents:
- •Death certificate of the account holder
- •Deceased's ID or passport
- •Inheritance proof (Erbschein) or court proof of sole heirship
- •Government-issued ID or passport of the requestor, or power of attorney
4
China: Contact Microsoft customer support with the following documents:
- •Death certificate or deregistration document
- •Relationship proof (Hukou, marriage certificate, or Public Security Bureau certification)
- •Requestor's ID or passport
- •Signed statement of intent
5
If you have the account credentials: You can close the account through the standard process at https://account.live.com/closeaccount. The owner selects a reopen window of 30 or 60 days during which the account can be reopened by signing in. After the window passes, Microsoft deletes the account data and content.
6
Cancel any active subscriptions (Microsoft 365, Xbox Game Pass, etc.) to stop recurring charges before closing the account. Subscriptions auto-renew and continue charging the payment method on file until actively cancelled.
7
Download any needed content before closure. OneDrive files, Outlook emails, and other account data are permanently deleted after the reopen window passes.
Required Documents
- Valid subpoena or court order (United States)
- Death certificate of the account holder
- Proof of relationship to the deceased (next-of-kin documentation, letters testamentary, or power of attorney)
- Government-issued photo ID of the requestor
Timeline
Court order / subpoena processing time varies and is determined by Microsoft's legal review on a case-by-case basis. Custodian of Records email requests have historically taken 2-4 weeks for an initial response, though reports of undeliverable replies exist. Microsoft accounts, including Outlook.com and OneDrive, are closed after 2 years of inactivity, and account data is deleted after closure. When the owner closes an account, a 30-day or 60-day reopen window applies before permanent deletion (owner's choice).
Frequently asked questions
In the United States, Microsoft requires a valid subpoena or court order formally served on its registered agent before it will consider releasing account content. Microsoft cannot provide the account password, change the password, or transfer account ownership. Microsoft's bereavement page states faxed or emailed requests cannot be accepted for legal matters, and release is not guaranteed. Microsoft Q&A answers also direct next-of-kin to the Windows Live Custodian of Records at msrecord@microsoft.com for deceased or incapacitated account requests, though some requesters have reported undeliverable responses.
The account remains active until it is either closed or becomes inactive. Microsoft closes accounts that have gone 2 years without a sign-in, and Outlook.com and OneDrive follow the same 2-year timeline because they are tied to the Microsoft account. Account data is deleted after closure. Any subscriptions continue to auto-renew and charge the payment method on file until cancelled.
Digital game purchases, in-game content, Xbox Game Pass subscriptions, and Xbox Live Gold memberships are all tied to the Microsoft account and are non-transferable. If the account is closed, access to all purchased digital content is lost. Game saves stored in Xbox cloud are deleted with the account. Physical game discs remain usable on any console.
The subscription continues to auto-renew and charge the payment method on file. If the deceased had a Microsoft 365 Family plan, other family members retain their own accounts and data, but will lose subscription benefits when the plan expires or is cancelled. Each family member should back up their own files and consider obtaining their own subscription.
Microsoft requires a death certificate and documentation proving your relationship to the deceased (such as letters testamentary, a court order, or power of attorney). In the United States, a valid subpoena or court order served on Microsoft's registered agent is required before Microsoft will consider releasing content. Requirements differ by region: Germany requires inheritance proof (Erbschein) or court proof of sole heirship, and China requires a death certificate or deregistration document, relationship proof, requestor ID, and a signed statement of intent. Microsoft support answers direct next-of-kin to email the Windows Live Custodian of Records at msrecord@microsoft.com to initiate the process.
After the transfer is complete, the recipient can use the accounts according to the program's standard terms. Document the deceased account holder's details to make this process easier for your executor or family.
Windows Live Custodian of Records
Timeline
Court order / subpoena processing time varies and is determined by Microsoft's legal review on a case-by-case basis. Custodian of Records email requests have historically taken 2-4 weeks for an initial response, though reports of undeliverable replies exist. Microsoft accounts, including Outlook.com and OneDrive, are closed after 2 years of inactivity, and account data is deleted after closure. When the owner closes an account, a 30-day or 60-day reopen window applies before permanent deletion (owner's choice).
WebsiteSubmit claim online →
Verified May 2026
