What to do when a Redwood CU account holder dies
Contact Redwood CU — 10-step process, 8 required documents, and pod and joint accounts processed upon verification of death certificate and identification. ira beneficiary letters from ascensus arrive approximately 2-3 weeks after beneficiary information is submitted. estate accounts depend on probate court timelines.
Phone707-545-4000
Toll-Free1-800-479-7928
Mailing Address
Redwood Credit Union, P.O. Box 6104, Santa Rosa, CA 95406
WebsiteLearn more→
Phone707-545-4000
Toll-Free1-800-479-7928
Mailing Address
Redwood Credit Union, P.O. Box 6104, Santa Rosa, CA 95406
WebsiteLearn more→
Member Service Center / Account Services
Phone707-545-4000
Toll-Free1-800-479-7928
Mailing Address
Redwood Credit Union, Attn: Account Services, PO Box 6104, Santa Rosa, CA 95406
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified May 2026
When a Redwood CU member passes away, the Member Service Center / Account Services handles the transition of accounts to beneficiaries or the estate. Accounts with Payable on Death designations or trust ownership transfer outside of probate, while solely-owned accounts may require Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration from the probate court.
Redwood CU offers an online claims portal that makes the initial filing process more straightforward. Survivors can also initiate claims by phone or by mailing documentation directly.
Death claim process
To file a claim after an account holder's death, here is what Redwood CU requires:
Filing a claim
1
Contact the RCU Member Service Center at 1-800-479-7928 or 707-545-4000, visit any branch, or submit an online bereavement notification at https://redwoodcu.formstack.com/forms/digital_bereavement_notification (approximately 5 minutes)
2
Provide the deceased member's name, address, and date of birth to initiate the process; RCU will freeze sole accounts and update joint accounts upon notification
3
Provide initial documentation:
- Certified copy of the final death certificate (will be returned to you once verified by RCU)
- RCU recommends obtaining more than one certified copy, as most organizations will need to see it
4
For joint accounts with right of survivorship: surviving owner retains access to the account
5
If POD beneficiary exists:
- Beneficiaries provide death certificate, government-issued photo ID, and a signed letter of instructions with their contact information (birthdate, SSN, mailing address, phone, email) detailing how they want to receive funds
- Beneficiaries complete a Beneficiary Payment Election form (provided by RCU)
6
For trust accounts:
- Successor trustee provides updated Certification of Trust indicating the new trustee(s)
- Provide death certificate and trust EIN
7
For IRA accounts:
- Beneficiaries complete the Beneficiary Payment Election form
- Letters from Ascensus (RCU's IRA administrator) arrive in approximately 2-3 weeks
8
For joint accounts:
- Surviving owner provides certified death certificate
- Complete updated Membership application and Joint Removal Authorization Form
9
For accounts without beneficiaries or joint owners:
- If going through probate: provide certified copy of Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration, issued in California with original raised court seal
- If not proceeding through probate: provide Notarized Affidavit Pursuant to CA Probate Code Section 13100 (for estates under the current small-estate threshold: $208,850 for deaths April 1, 2025 - March 31, 2026; $239,700 for deaths on or after April 1, 2026)
10
Documents can be mailed or brought to any branch; RCU will make photocopies and return originals
Required Documents
- Certified copy of the final death certificate (returned after verification)
- Government-issued photo ID for beneficiary, joint owner, or personal representative
- Signed letter of instructions from beneficiary(ies) with their contact information (birthdate, SSN, mailing address, phone, email)
- Beneficiary Payment Election form (provided by RCU after notification)
- Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration with original raised court seal (if probate is required)
- Notarized Affidavit Pursuant to CA Probate Code Section 13100 (if estate does not go through probate; small-estate threshold is $208,850 for deaths April 1, 2025 - March 31, 2026, and $239,700 for deaths on or after April 1, 2026)
- Updated Certification of Trust indicating new trustee(s) (for trust accounts)
- Joint Removal Authorization Form and updated Membership application (for joint accounts)
RCU's "Losing a Loved One" page (redwoodcu.org/help/losing-a-loved-one/) provides detailed guidance for each account type. Notify RCU online via the digital bereavement notification form at https://redwoodcu.formstack.com/forms/digital_bereavement_notification (approximately 5 minutes) or through digital banking. In-branch estate and memorial account appointments (45 minutes) can be scheduled at https://appointment.redwoodcu.org/s/deceased_update. To initially notify RCU, you only need the deceased person's name, address, and date of birth. Certified death certificates are returned after verification. IRA accounts are administered through Ascensus. Free notary services are available at all branches to assist with estate-related documents. Contact the Member Service Center as soon as possible to protect the account.
Expected timelines at Redwood CU: POD and joint accounts processed upon verification of death certificate and identification. IRA beneficiary letters from Ascensus arrive approximately 2-3 weeks after beneficiary information is submitted. Estate accounts depend on probate court timelines. 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 Redwood CU includes Certified copy of the final death certificate (returned after verification), Government-issued photo ID for beneficiary, joint owner, or personal representative, and Signed letter of instructions from beneficiary(ies) with their contact information (birthdate, SSN, mailing address, phone, email), along with additional paperwork that varies by account type. All death certificates and court documents must be certified copies.
Frequently asked questions
Visit any RCU branch with government-issued photo ID, call the Member Service Center at 1-800-479-7928, or mail the completed form. You can add Payable on Death (POD) beneficiaries to deposit accounts including checking, savings, money market, and certificates. For IRA accounts, download the IRA Beneficiary Designation/Change Form from the Forms & Applications page. For investment accounts through LPL Financial, contact Redwood Wealth Management at (707) 576-5040.
Yes. Redwood Credit Union offers a dedicated "Updating Account for Deceased Account Holder" appointment that runs approximately 45 minutes. You can book online through the RCU appointment scheduling system. You will need to bring valid government-issued photo ID, a certified death certificate, and account information. You can also notify RCU online through the digital bereavement notification form at https://redwoodcu.formstack.com/forms/digital_bereavement_notification, call 1-800-479-7928, or visit any branch. Free notary services are available at all branches to assist with estate-related documents.
Redwood CU's Member Service Center / Account Services can be reached by phone at 1-800-479-7928 and email at membersmail@redwoodcu.org for questions throughout the claims process.
If the deceased held multiple Redwood CU accounts, each may require a separate claim or have different documentation requirements. The Member Service Center / Account Services can confirm which accounts require individual attention and which can be processed together.
Phone707-545-4000
Toll-Free1-800-479-7928
Mailing Address
Redwood Credit Union, P.O. Box 6104, Santa Rosa, CA 95406
WebsiteLearn more→
Phone707-545-4000
Toll-Free1-800-479-7928
Mailing Address
Redwood Credit Union, P.O. Box 6104, Santa Rosa, CA 95406
WebsiteLearn more→
Member Service Center / Account Services
Phone707-545-4000
Toll-Free1-800-479-7928
Mailing Address
Redwood Credit Union, Attn: Account Services, PO Box 6104, Santa Rosa, CA 95406
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified May 2026
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