What to do when an Oregon State CU account holder dies
Report the death to Oregon State CU at 1-541-714-4000
After a member of Oregon State CU dies, Oregon State CU manages the transfer of accounts. POD-designated and trust-owned accounts pass directly to beneficiaries. Accounts held solely in the member's name may require probate court documents—Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration—before funds can be released.
The first step is contacting Oregon State CU with the account holder's full name, account numbers, and the death certificate in hand.
Death claim process
To file a claim after an account holder's death, here is what Oregon State CU requires:
Filing a claim
- Call Member Services at (541) 714-4000 or (800) 732-0173 (Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.).
- Or visit one of its 17 Oregon branches.
What happens to each kind of account4
- Joint account with survivorship
On a joint account, the deceased owner's interest becomes the property of the surviving joint owners.1
- Payable-on-death account
An account with a POD or Trust beneficiary is payable on the death of the last owner to any named and surviving beneficiary.1
- Account in one name
On an individual account with no beneficiary, the deceased owner's interest passes, subject to applicable law, to the decedent's estate.1
- Certificate of deposit
The credit union may pay a certificate account before maturity without an early withdrawal penalty when an account owner dies.2
State law on paying a balance without lettersOregon
- Oregon
ORS 723.466
Oregon law permits a credit union to pay from a deceased member's balance on an affidavit, without letters testamentary or letters of administration.ORS 723.466Verified Oct 3, 2026View source
Paid to: surviving spouse
Limit: $25,000 held at the institution and $25,000 in total from every holder
When: at any time after the death
Paid to: Oregon Health Authority or Department of Human Services (no surviving spouse; preferred claim under ORS 411.708, 411.795 or 416.350)
Limit: $25,000 held at the institution and $25,000 in total from every holder
When: not less than 46 days and no more than 75 days after the death
Paid to: surviving children 18 or older; else surviving parent(s); else surviving brothers and sisters 18 or older; else any other surviving heir
Limit: $25,000 held at the institution and $25,000 in total from every holder
When: not earlier than 76 days after the death; not earlier than 46 days after the death where the institution obtains prior verbal or written authorization from both the Oregon Health Authority and the Department of Human Services
Paid to: estate administrator of the State Treasurer (intestate, no known heirs)
Limit: $25,000 held at the institution and $25,000 in total from every holder
The section permits the payment. It does not require the credit union to make it. The section sets further conditions.
What Oregon State CU's agreement and guidance say2
- Payments after the death
After learning of the death, the credit union may continue paying checks and honoring payments or transfer orders authorized by the deceased member for ten days, unless a person claiming an interest in the account instructs it to stop payment.1
- Indemnity a claimant may have to give
The credit union may require anyone claiming the funds to indemnify it for losses from honoring the claim.1
Not in Oregon State CU's published guidance5
- A procedure for reporting a death
- A department for deceased-customer accounts
- A claim form
- A list of required documents
- Whether the death certificate must be certified
Sources
Data sourced from Oregon State CU primary sources (28 pages reviewed). How we research.
Oregon State CU death claims support
Member Services
Phone
Member Services (toll-free)
Report lost or stolen cards
Activate your card
Hours
Mailing address
Website
Death notifications go through general customer service.
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your Oregon State CU accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
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Get a complete guide for your specific circumstances.
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