What to do when a PayPal account holder dies
Report the death to PayPal's Deceased Account Team
When an account holder at PayPal 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 PayPal's Deceased Account Team to access and distribute the funds.
Before contacting PayPal, have the account holder's full name, date of birth, and any available account numbers ready.
Death claim process
Here is the step-by-step death claim process at PayPal:
Filing a claim
- Identifies the PayPal account by its primary email address
- Requests that the account be closed
- By email to deceasedaccounts@paypal.com, or
- By mail to PayPal Inc., Attn: ICA, P.O. Box 45950, Omaha, NE 68145
- A check in the name of the deceased account holder, which the requestor requests through the PayPal account
- A transfer of the balance to the bank account linked to the PayPal account, where the requestor has access to the deceased customer's bank account
Required Documents
- Cover sheet from the requestorFrom the requestor or a person duly appointed or authorized to administer the estate. It identifies the PayPal account by its primary email address and requests that the account be closed.
- The requestor's email addressSo the Deceased Account Team can reach out directly.
- Copy of the death certificate for the account holder
- Copy of the requestor's government-issued photo IDSuch as a driver's license, passport, or state-issued ID.
- Legal documentation or a copy of the will that identifies the executor of the estate
- State-issued documentation, if a living will is not present
- W-9 of the estatePayPal points to the IRS form at irs.gov.
What happens to each kind of account1
- Stored balance
A check for the remaining balance is issued in the name of the deceased account holder. PayPal states it does not change ownership of the funds.1
Accounts handled elsewhere2
What PayPal's agreement and guidance say4
- Telling the institution
For PayPal Savings, Synchrony Bank's agreement says that until it receives notice and any required proof of death it "may act as if you are alive and competent and continue to accept and process deposits to your account".4
- What it does when notified
On notice of the owner's death, Synchrony Bank may hold the PayPal Savings account, retain funds until it knows the identity of the successor, require proof of death, and close the account and transfer the entire balance to the PayPal balance.4
- Debts owed to the institution
For PayPal Credit, the terms say that upon the account holder's death Synchrony Bank "may (a) request payment of the full amount due right away, (b) take legal action to collect the amounts owed, and/or (c) take any other action allowed."5
- Dormant and unclaimed accounts
If no one logs in to a PayPal account for two or more years, PayPal may close it and send the funds, including any Balance Account balance, to the primary address or, if required, escheat them to the state of residency shown in the primary address.6
Not in PayPal's published guidance2
- How long a claim takes
- A claim form
Sources6
- 1.How do I close the PayPal account of a deceased relative?
- 2.PayPal Cards and Credit Options
- 3.How to close the Venmo account of a deceased relative
- 4.PayPal Savings offered by Synchrony Bank Deposit Account Agreement and Disclosures, Effective November 18, 2024
- 5.PayPal Credit Terms and Conditions
- 6.PayPal User Agreement, Last updated on September 14, 2026
PayPal's Deceased Account Team can be reached by email at deceasedaccounts@paypal.com for questions throughout the claims process.
Sources
Data sourced from PayPal primary sources (24 pages reviewed). How we research.
PayPal death claims support
Deceased Account Team
Mailing address
Website
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