What to do when an Affirm account holder dies
Report the death to Affirm Customer Care at 1-855-423-3729
What happens to Affirm accounts after the account holder dies depends on how each account was titled. Beneficiary-designated and trust-owned accounts transfer directly. Accounts in the deceased's name alone go through the estate, and the executor or administrator works with Affirm Customer Care (1-855-423-3729) to claim the funds.
Before contacting Affirm, have the account holder's full name, date of birth, and any available account numbers ready.
Death claim process
The death claim process at Affirm works as follows:
Filing a claim
- Online: the "Need more help? Get support" button on the Deceased Affirm customers article
- By phone: Affirm customer care at 855-423-3729, 8:00am-11:00pm ET, seven days a week
- By email: reply with a scanned copy to the email Affirm sends after you reach out through the "Get support" button
- By mail: send a physical copy to Affirm, Inc., 650 California St, Floor 12, San Francisco, CA 94108
Required Documents
- Death certificateA valid death certificate for the loans; a certified copy for the Money Account balance.
- Documentation confirming next-of-kin status, if a next of kin is requesting access to the deceased customer's account information
- Letters Testamentary, Letters of Administration, or a small-estate affidavit, if an Affirm Money Account balance has to be releasedThe deposit agreement conditions release on documents showing "who is entitled to the funds".
- Government-issued photo ID, for the executor, administrator, or next of kin making the request
Claims Contact
Website: Online portal →
What happens to each kind of account2
- Loan
After Affirm verifies the death with a valid death certificate, it will not hold the executor or any family member responsible for the outstanding balance and reports the updated status to the credit bureau. No payoff from the estate is required.1
- Account in one name
The Affirm Money Account balance is released by Cross River Bank, which is "not required to release your funds until we receive any documents we reasonably request to verify your death or incompetence, as well as who is entitled to the funds."2
Once the balance is released, the Money Account is closed by phone; there is no online closure path. Affirm says calling "is the best and fastest way to ensure your Affirm Money Account is closed correctly."1
Accounts handled elsewhere1
- Cross River Bank
The Affirm Money Account deposit balance and its release after the death2
What Affirm's agreement and guidance say7
- What it does when notified
When notified of a customer's passing, Affirm immediately disables AutoPay on all active loans.1
Once Cross River Bank has notice of the death, it "may freeze your balance, refuse to accept transactions, and reverse or return deposits."2
- Telling the institution
Under section J.5, the personal representative or successor "must tell us immediately" of the death, and the bank "may act as if you are alive and competent until we receive notice otherwise."2
- Payments after the death
An authorized transaction that is not presented for payment until after the death may still be paid from the Money Account.2
- Debts owed to the institution
"If you owe us a debt at the time of your death, we are authorized to exercise our right of setoff ... or security interest rights against the funds credited to your balance after your death."2
- Wills, probate and small estates
If the account owner lived outside the United States, Cross River Bank may require a personal representative appointed by a US court.2
- What it says about taxes
The Cross River Bank agreement makes the estate responsible for repaying any tax liability created by paying the balance to the estate.2
- Dormant and unclaimed accounts
A dormant Affirm Money Account is transferred to the state after 3-5 years, and once it is, neither Affirm nor Cross River Bank can return it.1
Not in Affirm's published guidance2
- A department for deceased-customer accounts
- How long a claim takes
Sources2
- 1.Deceased Affirm customers
- 2.Cross River Bank Savings Deposit Account Agreement and Truth in Savings Disclosure, effective as of Dec 18, 2025
Affirm Customer Care can be reached by phone at 1-855-423-3729 for questions throughout the claims process.
Sources
Data sourced from Affirm primary sources (13 pages reviewed). How we research.
Affirm death claims support
Affirm Customer Care (Deceased Customer Support)
Phone
Hours
Mailing address
Website
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Free forms for settling an estate: probate petition, small estate affidavit, creditor notice and closing forms. Prepare each form for your state.
Affidavit of Death
Put a joint owner's or a transfer on death deed owner's death on the land records with the affidavit your state's statute names, laid out for recording.
IRS Form 56
Notify the IRS that you are the fiduciary of an estate, a trust or a person, or end a notice filed before, on the official form.
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.
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