What to do when a Navy Federal account holder dies
Contact Navy Federal — 5-step process, 5 required documents, and pod accounts processed more quickly; non-pod accounts vary based on probate requirements
Phone1-888-842-6328
Mailing Address
Navy Federal Credit Union, PO Box 3000, Merrifield, VA 22119-3000
WebsiteLearn more→
Phone1-888-842-6328
Mailing Address
Navy Federal Credit Union, PO Box 3000, Merrifield, VA 22119-3000
WebsiteLearn more→
Survivor Support
Phone1-800-883-3323
Fax703-206-3724
Mailing Address
Navy Federal Credit Union, PO Box 3002, Merrifield, VA 22116-9887
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Apr 2026
The Survivor Support at Navy Federal coordinates account transitions after a member's death. How each account is handled depends on its setup: POD and trust accounts transfer automatically, while solely-owned accounts typically require court authorization through Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration.
Death claims at Navy Federal can be started through an online portal, which streamlines the initial notification and document upload. Phone and mail options are also available.
Death claim process
Follow these steps to file a death claim with Navy Federal:
Filing a claim
1
Contact Navy Federal Survivor Support:
- Call Survivor Support at 1-800-883-3323 (Monday-Friday 8 AM - 5 PM ET)
- Email survivordocs@navyfederal.org
- Visit any Navy Federal branch
2
A Survivor Support Specialist reviews the deceased member's accounts:
- Determines needed account changes and closures
- Confirms beneficiaries for account funds
- Identifies required legal documents based on your situation
3
Submit required documents:
- Certified death certificate
- Government-issued ID for the claimant
- Applicable legal documents (Letters Testamentary, trust documents, or notarized affidavit)
4
Specialist provides settlement summary
5
Funds distributed per beneficiary designation or estate documentation
Required Documents
- Certified death certificate
- Government-issued ID for claimant
- Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration (for non-POD accounts without trust)
- Trust documents (if trust is beneficiary)
- Notarized affidavit (if no formal estate)
Navy Federal does NOT accept nor interpret wills. Account types handled: savings, checking, money market, IRAs, and share certificates. Downloadable resources available on the Survivor Support page: Survivor's Guide to Account Settlement, Survivor's Checklist, and Steps to Take When a Loved One Passes Away.
Expected timelines at Navy Federal: POD accounts processed more quickly; non-POD accounts vary based on probate requirements. Delays are almost always caused by incomplete paperwork—gathering all required documents before filing the initial claim helps avoid back-and-forth.
Documentation required by Navy Federal includes Certified death certificate, Government-issued ID for claimant, and Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration (for non-POD accounts without trust), along with additional paperwork that varies by account type. All death certificates and court documents must be certified copies.
Frequently asked questions
Complete [Form NFCU 250](https://www.navyfederal.org/content/dam/nfculibs/pdfs/certificates-ira-trust/250.pdf) (Payable on Death (POD) Designation) and submit it via eMessage after signing in, at a branch, by fax (703-206-3724), or by mail (PO Box 3002, Merrifield, VA 22116-9887). All account holders must sign the form. Provide each beneficiary's full name, address, date of birth, and Social Security number.
A POD designation on Form NFCU 250 names beneficiaries who receive funds after the account holder's death without requiring a pre-existing legal trust. A Deposit Trust Account (opened via Form NFCU 678A) is titled in the name of an existing legal trust, allowing trustees to manage assets during the grantor's lifetime. The trust account avoids the estate settlement process at death because assets pass under the trust's terms rather than through probate. NCUA requires that all grantors or all beneficiaries of the trust be Navy Federal members.
A Survivor Support Specialist (1-800-883-3323, Monday-Friday 8 AM - 5 PM ET) will identify required documents based on your situation. Generally, you will need a certified death certificate and government-issued ID for the claimant. Additional documents may include Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration, trust documents, or a notarized affidavit if there is no formal estate. Navy Federal does not accept or interpret wills.
No. Navy Federal does not accept nor interpret wills. A Survivor Support Specialist will review accounts to determine ownership rights or rights as an estate representative. For accounts with no beneficiary designation and no joint owner, the estate executor must present Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration from the probate court.
Navy Federal's Survivor Support can be reached by phone at 1-800-883-3323, email at survivordocs@navyfederal.org, and fax at 703-206-3724 for questions throughout the claims process.
Multiple Navy Federal accounts may mean multiple claims. Some account types can be processed together, but others require their own documentation. Check with the Survivor Support to confirm what applies.
Phone1-888-842-6328
Mailing Address
Navy Federal Credit Union, PO Box 3000, Merrifield, VA 22119-3000
WebsiteLearn more→
Phone1-888-842-6328
Mailing Address
Navy Federal Credit Union, PO Box 3000, Merrifield, VA 22119-3000
WebsiteLearn more→
Survivor Support
Phone1-800-883-3323
Fax703-206-3724
Mailing Address
Navy Federal Credit Union, PO Box 3002, Merrifield, VA 22116-9887
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Apr 2026
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