What to do when a FirstBank account holder dies
Contact FirstBank — 6-step process, 4 required documents, and depends on obtaining the declaration of heirs and completing any puerto rico treasury requirements for the estate.
FirstLine Solutions Center
FirstBank Puerto Rico, PO Box 9146, San Juan, PR 00908-0146
FirstLine Solutions Center
FirstBank Puerto Rico, PO Box 9146, San Juan, PR 00908-0146
FirstLine Solutions Center
FirstBank Puerto Rico, PO Box 9146, San Juan, PR 00908-0146
When an account holder at FirstBank passes away, the next step depends on how the accounts were set up. Accounts with beneficiary designations or trust ownership transfer outside of probate. Accounts titled solely in the deceased's name require the estate's legal representative to work with FirstBank's FirstLine Solutions Center (787-725-2511) to access and distribute the funds.
Before contacting FirstBank, have the account holder's full name, date of birth, and any available account numbers ready. A certified death certificate is required to initiate the claim.
Death claim process
Here is the step-by-step death claim process at FirstBank:
Filing a claim
Required Documents
- Death certificate
- Resolution of Declaration of Heirs (Declaratoria de Herederos)
- Certification of Debt or Relict Estate from the Puerto Rico Department of Treasury
- Valid government-issued identification for the heirs / estate representative
Claims Contact
What to know at this institution
Under Section 34 (Death or Incapacity) of FirstBank's Deposit Account Agreement, once the Bank knows of a depositor's death it may still, for ten (10) calendar days after the decease, pay checks or withdrawal orders issued by the deceased depositor unless a person claiming an interest in the account orders a stop payment; a surviving joint-account holder must immediately notify the Bank of the death. Each account is subject to the laws regulating succession and inheritance tax regardless of the names on the account. Under Act 98 of June 25, 1998 (as reflected in the agreement), the certificate-of-deposit early-withdrawal penalty is waived in the case of the account holder's death for withdrawals of $100,000 or less (including accrued interest) when the account has been open at least 180 days, and the notarized sworn-statement requirement that applies to other hardship withdrawals does not apply in the case of death.
Prepare your letter of instruction to FirstBank
FirstBank accepts a claimant-drafted letter of instruction. We draft it for you — addressed to FirstBank's verified claims department, with the documents it requires enclosed.
Build your letter of instructionOpening an account for the estate itself
Checks made out to the estate deposit into an account titled to the estate, opened by the appointed executor or administrator under the estate's EIN.
How to open an estate account at FirstBank →Processing timelines at FirstBank: Depends on obtaining the Declaration of Heirs and completing any Puerto Rico Treasury requirements for the estate. Incomplete documentation is the most common cause of delays—submitting all required documents with the initial claim helps avoid additional processing time.
FirstBank requires Death certificate, Resolution of Declaration of Heirs (Declaratoria de Herederos), Certification of Debt or Relict Estate from the Puerto Rico Department of Treasury, and Valid government-issued identification for the heirs / estate representative to process a death claim. Certified copies are typically needed—photocopies are generally not accepted for death certificates or court documents.
Frequently asked questions
Puerto Rico uses civil-law succession rather than probate. FirstBank requires a copy of the death certificate and a Resolution of Declaration of Heirs (Declaratoria de Herederos); if you are not the universal heir, an heirs' affidavit may also be required. Begin by calling the FirstLine Solutions Center at 787-725-2511 (toll-free in Puerto Rico, 1-866-695-2511) or visiting a branch.
In addition to the death certificate and Declaration of Heirs, FirstBank requires a Certification of Debt or Relict Estate (relevo) issued by the Puerto Rico Department of Treasury (Hacienda). Under FirstBank's deposit account agreement, accounts of a deceased depositor are subject to the laws regulating succession and inheritance tax. Obtain the Treasury certification before contacting the FirstLine Solutions Center to release the funds.
FirstBank Puerto Rico deposit accounts do not use U.S.-style payable-on-death or transfer-on-death trust beneficiary designations. Section 6 of FirstBank's Deposit Account Agreement states that an account opened on behalf of another person ("In Trust For" / ITF) does not constitute a trust under the laws of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and that the account remains subject to the laws regulating succession and inheritance tax regardless of the names on it. Sole accounts pass through Puerto Rico's civil-law succession (Declaration of Heirs); joint accounts may pass to the surviving co-owner. Accounts opened at FirstBank's Florida branches follow Florida law instead.
Under Act 98 of June 25, 1998, as reflected in FirstBank's Deposit Account Agreement, the certificate-of-deposit early-withdrawal penalty is not charged when funds are withdrawn because of the account holder's death, for withdrawals of $100,000 or less (including accrued interest) where the account has been in force at least 180 consecutive days. The notarized sworn-statement requirement that applies to other early "case of need" withdrawals does not apply in the case of death. Contact the FirstLine Solutions Center at 787-725-2511 for the documentation required to process the withdrawal.
FirstBank's FirstLine Solutions Center can be reached by phone at 1-866-695-2511 and email at apoyoalcliente@firstbankpr.com for questions throughout the claims process.
If the deceased held multiple FirstBank accounts, each may require a separate claim or have different documentation requirements. The FirstLine Solutions Center can confirm which accounts require individual attention and which can be processed together.
Sources
Data sourced from FirstBank primary sources (8 pages reviewed). How we research.
FirstLine Solutions Center
FirstBank Puerto Rico, PO Box 9146, San Juan, PR 00908-0146
FirstLine Solutions Center
FirstBank Puerto Rico, PO Box 9146, San Juan, PR 00908-0146
FirstLine Solutions Center
FirstBank Puerto Rico, PO Box 9146, San Juan, PR 00908-0146
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