What to do when a Klarna account holder dies
When an account holder at Klarna 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 Klarna to access and distribute the funds.
Before contacting Klarna, have the account holder's full name, date of birth, and any available account numbers ready.
Death claim process
The death claim process at Klarna works as follows:
Filing a claim
- The deceased customer's full name, date of birth, state of residence at the time of passing, the state where the death occurred, and the date they passed away (YYYY-MM-DD)
- The deceased customer's email address and phone number, and any active or outstanding orders, if known
- Your full name, email address, phone number and state of residence
- Your relationship to the deceased: child, parent, spouse, sibling, other family, legal representative or other
- Your role in the estate: sole heir, one of multiple heirs, executor or administrator, POA holder or other
- Whether the deceased customer had a Klarna Balance account (yes, no or "I don't know"), whether there was a will, and whether probate has been opened and in which state
Required Documents
- Your government-issued photo ID, in all casesA photo or scan with all four corners visible.
- Certified death certificate, in all cases
- Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration, if you are the executor or administrator of the estateOr the equivalent, issued by a probate court.
- Small Estate Affidavit or equivalent, if the estate qualifies as a small estate and your state's law permits one
- Power of Attorney or signed authorization, if an attorney or legal representative is acting on behalf of an heir
Claims Contact
Website: Online portal →
What happens to each kind of account1
- Stored balance
Once it receives the necessary information, Klarna transfers any remaining balance to the rightful heirs or authorized representative.1
Accounts handled elsewhere3
What Klarna provides to the estate1
- List of the deceased person's accounts
Once it receives the necessary information, Klarna provides an overview of the deceased customer's outstanding balances or claims.1
What Klarna's agreement and guidance say6
- Telling the institution
The Klarna balance Deposit Account and Klarna Card Agreement, made with WebBank, says: "Your agent, attorney, or representative must let us know immediately if you die or are declared incompetent."2
- What it does when notified
When WebBank receives proper notice, it "may freeze the account until documents verifying the incapacity or death and instructions regarding the funds in the account are received."2
Once it receives the necessary information, Klarna suspends the customer profile to prevent unauthorized money movements, cancels all marketing and communications to the deceased person, and cancels any Klarna Card.1
- Payments after the death
WebBank may pay any item previously authorized by the account owner.2
- Debts owed to the institution
WebBank may set off any debt the account owner owes it. The agreement grants a right of setoff and a security interest in all of the customer's accounts for a due or overdue debt to WebBank or its affiliates, and the setoff right survives account closure.2
To the extent permitted by law, the customer agrees the right extends to federal or state benefit payments, including Social Security, deposited to the account. It does not apply to a debt created under a consumer credit card plan.2
- Deposits after the death
If federal benefits or other payments are deposited after the customer becomes ineligible to receive them, WebBank may reduce the balance by that amount and return the funds to the payor.2
- Dormant and unclaimed accounts
After a period of inactivity or dormancy, if WebBank cannot contact the customer, it is required to send the funds in the account to the state of the customer's last known address.2
Not in Klarna's published guidance3
- A mailing address for claim documents
- An email address for claim documents
- Death-claims phone number
Sources4
- 1.What to do if a Klarna balance customer passes away?
- 2.Klarna balance Deposit Account and Klarna Card Agreement, v3.3.0, published on December 8, 2025
- 3.What is Pay over time and how does it work?
- 4.Who is Alpaca?
Anywhere from a few days to several months, depending on the complexity of the case and applicable state law.
Sources
Data sourced from Klarna primary sources (21 pages reviewed). How we research.
Klarna death claims support
Website
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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
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