What to do when a Interactive Brokers account holder dies
Contact Interactive Brokers — 3-step process, 6 required documents, and typically 2-4 weeks after receipt of complete documentation
Estate Processing
Phone1-877-442-2757
Fax(312) 984-1017
Mailing Address
Interactive Brokers LLC, Attn: Estate Processing, 10 S. Riverside Plaza, Suite 1600, Chicago, IL 60606
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified May 2026
What happens to Interactive Brokers investment 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 Interactive Brokers's Estate Processing (1-877-442-2757) to claim the funds.
Interactive Brokers 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 Interactive Brokers:
Filing a claim
1
Email estateprocessing@interactivebrokers.com with the account number and "Estate Processing" in the subject line to report the death and request forms
2
Submit required documentation by email, fax, or mail:
- Certified copy of death certificate
- Signed copy of government-issued ID for the beneficiary (driver's license or passport)
- Non-Probated Estate Action Form with delivery instructions (for TOD accounts)
- Transfer on Death Beneficiary Distribution Form (for TOD accounts)
- For accounts without TOD designation: Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration from the probate court
- Trust documents if a trust is named as beneficiary
3
Interactive Brokers estate team verifies documentation and processes the asset transfer
Required Documents
- Certified copy of death certificate
- Signed copy of government-issued ID for the beneficiary (driver's license or passport)
- Non-Probated Estate Action Form (for TOD accounts)
- Transfer on Death Beneficiary Distribution Form (for TOD accounts)
- Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration (if no TOD designation)
- Trust documents (if a trust is named as beneficiary)
All estate processing is handled remotely — IBKR has no branch locations. Contact the estate team by email at estateprocessing@interactivebrokers.com or by fax at (312) 984-1017 (include account number in the subject line). Documents may also be mailed to Interactive Brokers LLC, Attn: Estate Processing, 10 S. Riverside Plaza, Suite 1600, Chicago, IL 60606.
Processing timelines at Interactive Brokers: Typically 2-4 weeks after receipt of complete documentation. Incomplete documentation is the most common cause of delays—submitting all required documents with the initial claim helps avoid additional processing time.
Interactive Brokers requires several documents to process a claim, including Certified copy of death certificate, Signed copy of government-issued ID for the beneficiary (driver's license or passport), and Non-Probated Estate Action Form (for TOD accounts), 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
TOD is available for US-based Individual accounts, Joint accounts (Tenants with Rights of Survivorship, Tenants by Entirety), and Trust non-IRA accounts. It is not available for Corporate accounts or UGMA/UTMA accounts. IRA accounts use standard IRA beneficiary designations instead of TOD.
Email estateprocessing@interactivebrokers.com with the account number and "Estate Processing" in the subject line. For TOD accounts, submit a certified death certificate, your government-issued ID, and the Non-Probated Estate Action Form. For accounts without TOD, the executor must also provide Letters Testamentary from the probate court.
Yes. Interactive Brokers supports a dedicated Inherited IRA Trust account type, which allows a trust to receive and hold inherited IRA assets directly. This is a separate account type from a standard trust account and requires its own application through Client Portal, including trustee information, beneficiary details, and the deceased account owner information. At least one Signatory Trustee and one Trader Trustee are required.
Yes. If you reside in a community property state and are not naming your spouse as the sole primary beneficiary, Interactive Brokers requires a completed Spousal Consent Form. This applies to both the Transfer on Death Agreement for taxable brokerage accounts and the IRA Beneficiary Designation Form for IRA accounts. IBKR places the responsibility on the account holder to determine whether their state requires spousal consent.
Interactive Brokers's Estate Processing can be reached by phone at 1-877-442-2757, email at estateprocessing@interactivebrokers.com, and fax at (312) 984-1017 for questions throughout the claims process.
When the deceased had multiple Interactive Brokers investment accounts, some may need separate claims while others can be handled together. The Estate Processing can clarify what's needed for each account type.
Estate Processing
Phone1-877-442-2757
Fax(312) 984-1017
Mailing Address
Interactive Brokers LLC, Attn: Estate Processing, 10 S. Riverside Plaza, Suite 1600, Chicago, IL 60606
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified May 2026
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