What to do when a American Express account holder dies
Contact American Express — 4-step process, 7 required documents, and varies based on account type and completeness of documentation
American Express Savings Customer Service
Phone1-800-446-6307
Mailing Address
American Express National Bank, PO Box 30384, Salt Lake City, UT 84130-0384
WebsiteLearn more→
American Express Savings Customer Service
Phone1-800-446-6307
Mailing Address
American Express National Bank, PO Box 30384, Salt Lake City, UT 84130-0384
WebsiteLearn more→
Deceased Account Services (Savings)
Phone1-800-446-6307
Fax1-800-542-0779
Mailing Address
American Express National Bank, PO Box 30384, Salt Lake City, UT 84130-0384
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Apr 2026
After a American Express account holder dies, accounts with beneficiary designations or trust ownership transfer to the designated recipients without probate. Solely-owned accounts require the estate's representative to contact American Express's Deceased Account Services (Savings) at 1-800-446-6307 with the proper legal authority documents.
American Express provides an online portal for initiating death claims, which can simplify the initial notification and document submission process. Claims can also be started by phone or by mailing the required documents.
Death claim process
Here is the step-by-step death claim process at American Express:
Filing a claim
1
Gather required documentation:
- Download and complete the Deceased Letter of Instruction (LOI) form from americanexpress.com
- Obtain a certified copy of the death certificate
- Prepare valid government-issued ID for the claimant
2
Provide account-type-specific documents:
- For individual accounts: obtain Letters Testamentary, Letters of Administration, or a notarized Small Estate Affidavit
- For trust accounts: provide a notarized Certificate/Declaration of Trust identifying the current trustee
- For joint accounts: provide a copy of the death certificate to remove the deceased owner
- For POD accounts: provide a copy of the death certificate and beneficiary identification
3
Submit documents:
- By fax: 1-800-542-0779
- By mail: American Express National Bank, PO Box 30384, Salt Lake City, UT 84130-0384
4
For card member accounts (credit cards): call 1-800-266-7064 separately
Required Documents
- Deceased Letter of Instruction (LOI) form
- Death certificate (copy only; originals cannot be returned)
- For individual accounts: Letters Testamentary, Letters of Administration, or notarized Small Estate Affidavit
- For trust accounts: notarized Certificate/Declaration of Trust identifying current trustee by name and address
- For joint accounts: death certificate to remove deceased owner
- Valid government-issued ID for the claimant
- Account information for the deceased
American Express does not accept a will (or copy of a will) as authorization to manage a deceased account. Court-issued documents (Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration) or a notarized Small Estate Affidavit are required for individual accounts. Card member (credit card) death notifications are handled separately by calling 1-800-266-7064 (Mon-Fri 8am-10pm ET). As a family member or third party, you are not personally responsible for the deceased's credit card debt.
How long the process takes at American Express: Varies based on account type and completeness of documentation. The most common reason for delays is missing or incomplete documentation, so submitting everything upfront is the best way to keep things moving.
American Express requires several documents to process a claim, including Deceased Letter of Instruction (LOI) form, Death certificate (copy only; originals cannot be returned), and For individual accounts: Letters Testamentary, Letters of Administration, or notarized Small Estate Affidavit, and additional documentation depending on the account type. Certified copies are typically needed—photocopies are generally not accepted for death certificates or court documents.
Frequently asked questions
No. American Express does not accept a will or copy of a will as authorization to manage a deceased person's account. You must provide court-issued documents such as Letters Testamentary, Letters of Administration, or a notarized Small Estate Affidavit.
FDIC coverage for trust deposits, including Payable on Death (POD) accounts, provides a maximum coverage amount of $1,250,000 per owner with up to five beneficiaries per account. Each qualifying beneficiary adds $250,000 in coverage. Standard FDIC coverage of $250,000 per depositor applies to accounts without beneficiaries.
For joint accounts with right of survivorship, the account automatically transitions to the surviving account owner as the sole owner. The surviving owner needs to submit a copy of the death certificate to remove the deceased owner from the account. The death certificate can be submitted by fax to 1-800-542-0779 or by mail to American Express National Bank, PO Box 30384, Salt Lake City, UT 84130-0384.
Early withdrawal penalties vary by CD term: less than 12 months = 90 days of interest; 12 to less than 48 months = 270 days of interest; 48 to less than 60 months = 365 days of interest; 60 months or more = 540 days of interest. The penalty may exceed earned interest and reduce principal. These penalties apply whether the withdrawal is due to the account owner or an estate claim.
American Express's Deceased Account Services (Savings) can be reached by phone at 1-800-446-6307 and fax at 1-800-542-0779 for questions throughout the claims process.
American Express Savings Customer Service
Phone1-800-446-6307
Mailing Address
American Express National Bank, PO Box 30384, Salt Lake City, UT 84130-0384
WebsiteLearn more→
American Express Savings Customer Service
Phone1-800-446-6307
Mailing Address
American Express National Bank, PO Box 30384, Salt Lake City, UT 84130-0384
WebsiteLearn more→
Deceased Account Services (Savings)
Phone1-800-446-6307
Fax1-800-542-0779
Mailing Address
American Express National Bank, PO Box 30384, Salt Lake City, UT 84130-0384
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Apr 2026
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