What to do when a Republic Bank account holder dies
Contact Republic Bank's Private & Professional Banking — 4-step process, 8 required documents, and 5-10 business days after all documentation is received
Customer Care
Phone502-584-3600
Toll-Free1-888-584-3600
Mailing Address
Republic Bank & Trust Company, 601 West Market Street, Louisville, KY 40202
WebsiteLearn more→
Death Claims
Phone502-584-3600
Toll-Free1-888-584-3600
Mailing Address
Republic Bank & Trust Company, 601 West Market Street, Louisville, KY 40202
Verified Apr 2026
When a Republic Bank account holder 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 Republic Bank's Private & Professional Banking (502-584-3600) to access and distribute the funds.
Gather the account holder's full name, date of birth, and any known account or policy numbers before contacting Republic Bank. A certified death certificate is the primary document required to start any claim.
Deposit, investment & retirement accounts
Follow these steps to file a death claim with Republic Bank:
Filing a claim
1
Notify Republic Bank and provide initial documentation
- Contact Republic Bank at 1-888-584-3600 or visit a banking center to notify the bank of the account holder's death
- Provide a certified copy of the death certificate
2
Submit account-type-specific documentation
- For accounts with POD beneficiary: beneficiary presents valid government-issued ID and death certificate to claim funds
- For joint accounts with right of survivorship: surviving owner presents death certificate to remove deceased owner
- For accounts without beneficiary or survivorship: executor or administrator presents Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration along with death certificate
3
Handle trust and retirement account claims
- For trust accounts: successor trustee presents death certificate, trust documentation showing successor trustee authority, and valid ID
- For IRA accounts: beneficiary presents death certificate, valid ID, and completes distribution or inherited IRA paperwork
- For HSA accounts: spouse beneficiary receives the HSA; non-spouse beneficiary receives taxable distribution
4
Submit documents and await processing
- Submit all required documents at a banking center or by mail
- Republic Bank will review documentation and process the claim
Required Documents
- Certified copy of the death certificate
- Valid government-issued ID for the claimant (beneficiary, executor, or successor trustee)
- Account information for the deceased (account number, full name)
- For accounts without beneficiary: Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration from probate court
- For small estates: Small Estate Affidavit (if applicable under state law)
- For trust accounts: trust documentation showing successor trustee authority, successor trustee ID, and any amendments
- For IRA accounts: beneficiary designation verification, distribution election form, and inherited IRA application if applicable
- Written instructions regarding desired distribution method
It is recommended to visit a banking center in person for death claim processing, as document verification and signing requirements are handled more efficiently. For Private & Professional Banking clients, contact your dedicated private banker for personalized assistance. For mortgage-related death claims, contact Republic Bank at 1-888-584-3600. Distribution options may include check, transfer to an existing Republic Bank account, or wire transfer.
Mortgage and home lending
Mortgages and home equity loans are liabilities, not assets. They do not have beneficiaries and cannot be retitled to a trust. When a borrower dies, the loan obligation transfers with the property to whoever inherits it. Under the federal Garn-St. Germain Act, the lender cannot accelerate the loan or call it due when the property transfers to a surviving spouse, child, or the borrower’s revocable trust.
1
Notify Republic Bank of the borrower's death
- Call Republic Bank at 1-888-584-3600 or visit a banking center
- Provide the deceased borrower's full legal name, Social Security number, and loan number
- Submit a certified copy of the death certificate
2
Request recognition as a Successor in Interest
- Provide documentation proving your ownership interest in the property (e.g., probated will, court order, deed, trust document, or marriage certificate)
- Republic Bank will review documentation and confirm Successor in Interest status under CFPB mortgage servicing rules
3
Manage the loan after confirmation
- Once confirmed, discuss options: continue making payments, apply for loss mitigation, assume the loan, refinance, or pay off the balance
- Continue making monthly mortgage payments during the review process to avoid default
Required Documents
- Certified copy of the death certificate
- Government-issued photo ID for the heir or personal representative
- Documentation proving ownership interest in the property: probated will, court order, recorded deed, trust document, or marriage certificate
- Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration (if going through probate)
- Loan number and borrower information
Under the federal Garn-St. Germain Depository Institutions Act (12 U.S.C. 1701j-3), Republic Bank cannot enforce a due-on-sale clause when the property transfers to a surviving spouse, child, relative upon death, or the borrower's revocable living trust.
How long the process takes at Republic Bank: 5-10 business days after all documentation is received. The most common reason for delays is missing or incomplete documentation, so submitting everything upfront is the best way to keep things moving.
Documentation required by Republic Bank includes Certified copy of the death certificate, Valid government-issued ID for the claimant (beneficiary, executor, or successor trustee), and Account information for the deceased (account number, full name), along with additional paperwork that varies by account type. All death certificates and court documents must be certified copies.
Frequently asked questions
Contact Republic Bank at 1-888-584-3600 or visit any banking center to report the death. For accounts with a POD (Payable on Death) beneficiary, the beneficiary presents a certified death certificate and valid ID to claim the funds. For joint accounts with right of survivorship, the surviving owner presents the death certificate. For accounts without a beneficiary, the executor or administrator presents Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration. For IRA accounts, the beneficiary completes distribution or inherited IRA paperwork. For HSAs, a spouse beneficiary inherits the account; a non-spouse beneficiary receives a taxable distribution. Republic Bank will review documentation and process the claim; distribution options include check, account transfer, or wire transfer.
Republic Bank's Death Claims can be reached by phone at 1-888-584-3600 and email at EasySupport@republicbank.com for questions throughout the claims process.
If the deceased held multiple Republic Bank accounts, each may require a separate claim or have different documentation requirements. The Private & Professional Banking can confirm which accounts require individual attention and which can be processed together.
Customer Care
Phone502-584-3600
Toll-Free1-888-584-3600
Mailing Address
Republic Bank & Trust Company, 601 West Market Street, Louisville, KY 40202
WebsiteLearn more→
Death Claims
Phone502-584-3600
Toll-Free1-888-584-3600
Mailing Address
Republic Bank & Trust Company, 601 West Market Street, Louisville, KY 40202
Verified Apr 2026
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your Republic Bank accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
