What to do when a Synchrony account holder dies
Contact Synchrony — 5-step process, 5 required documents, and varies; online notification provides tracking id for credit card accounts
Phone1-866-226-5638
Mailing Address
Synchrony Bank, P.O. Box 669802, Dallas, TX 75266-0955
International
WebsiteLearn more→
Phone1-866-226-5638
Mailing Address
Synchrony Bank, P.O. Box 669802, Dallas, TX 75266-0955
International
WebsiteLearn more→
Deceased Notification / Estate Services
Phone1-866-226-5638
Toll-Free1-866-226-5638
Fax1-844-713-2595
Mailing Address
Synchrony Bank, Specialty Services, PO Box 669802, Dallas, TX 75266-0955 (Overnight: 3000 Kellway Drive, Suite 120, Carrollton, TX 75006)
Credit Card/Retail Card Estate Services
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified May 2026
After a Synchrony account holder dies, accounts with beneficiary designations or trust ownership transfer to the designated recipients without probate. Solely-owned accounts require the estate's representative to contact Synchrony's Deceased Notification / Estate Services at 1-866-226-5638 with the proper legal authority documents.
Synchrony provides an online portal for initiating death claims, which can simplify the initial notification and document submission process. Claims can also be started by phone or by mailing the required documents.
Death claim process
To file a claim after an account holder's death, here is what Synchrony requires:
Filing a claim
1
Notify Synchrony of the death:
- For banking accounts: call 1-866-226-5638 and provide the deceased's name, Social Security number, and account numbers
- For credit card accounts: submit the online deceased notification form at synchrony.com/s/deceasednotification or call 1-844-365-1994
2
If using the online form:
- Provide cardholder name, address, last 4 of SSN, last 4 of account number, and next of kin/representative contact information
- Upload or mail supporting documents (online form accepts PNG, JPG, or PDF; max 10 MB)
- Receive a submission ID for tracking
3
Complete the appropriate notarized distribution form:
- For POD accounts with beneficiaries: Beneficiary Distribution Instruction Form (wres023809.pdf)
- For trust accounts: Trust Distribution Instruction Form (wres023812.pdf)
- For estate distribution (no beneficiary): Estate Distribution Instruction Form (wres023810.pdf)
- For non-personal beneficiary entities: Non-Personal Beneficiary Distribution Instruction Form (npben-dist-form.pdf)
4
For joint account holder death: call 1-866-226-5638 to close the joint account and open a new individual account for the surviving owner
5
Mail all notarized distribution forms to Synchrony Bank, Specialty Services, PO Box 669802, Dallas, TX 75266-0955
Required Documents
- Certified death certificate
- Applicable distribution instruction form (beneficiary, trust, estate, or non-personal beneficiary), notarized
- Government-issued ID for beneficiary, trustee, or executor
- Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration (if no beneficiary designated)
- For New Jersey residents: Form L-8 or tax waiver
Claims Contact
Banking account death notifications use the general customer service line (1-866-226-5638). Credit card/retail card account notifications use the estate services line (1-844-365-1994, weekdays 8am-8pm ET, Saturdays 8am-5pm ET) or the online form. Distribution forms must be notarized. Beneficiary Distribution Form: synchrony.com/document/wres023809.pdf. Estate Distribution Form: synchrony.com/document/wres023810.pdf. Joint Distribution Form: synchrony.com/document/wres023811.pdf. Trust Distribution Form: synchrony.com/document/wres023812.pdf. Non-Personal Beneficiary Distribution Form: synchrony.com/document/npben-dist-form.pdf. IRA beneficiaries may establish beneficiary IRA accounts and conduct direct rollovers; contact an IRA Specialist at 1-866-226-5638. IRA Beneficiary Distribution for Traditional IRAs: synchrony.com/document/TRADIRABENEREQDIST.pdf. IRA Beneficiary Distribution for Roth IRAs: synchrony.com/document/ROTHIRABENEREQDIST.pdf.
Processing timelines at Synchrony: Varies; online notification provides tracking ID for credit card accounts. Incomplete documentation is the most common cause of delays—submitting all required documents with the initial claim helps avoid additional processing time.
Documentation required by Synchrony includes Certified death certificate, Applicable distribution instruction form (beneficiary, trust, estate, or non-personal beneficiary), notarized, and Government-issued ID for beneficiary, trustee, or executor, along with additional paperwork that varies by account type. All death certificates and court documents must be certified copies.
Synchrony's Deceased Notification / Estate Services can be reached by phone at 1-866-226-5638 and fax at 1-844-713-2595 for questions throughout the claims process.
Multiple Synchrony accounts may mean multiple claims. Some account types can be processed together, but others require their own documentation. Check with the Deceased Notification / Estate Services to confirm what applies.
Phone1-866-226-5638
Mailing Address
Synchrony Bank, P.O. Box 669802, Dallas, TX 75266-0955
International
WebsiteLearn more→
Phone1-866-226-5638
Mailing Address
Synchrony Bank, P.O. Box 669802, Dallas, TX 75266-0955
International
WebsiteLearn more→
Deceased Notification / Estate Services
Phone1-866-226-5638
Toll-Free1-866-226-5638
Fax1-844-713-2595
Mailing Address
Synchrony Bank, Specialty Services, PO Box 669802, Dallas, TX 75266-0955 (Overnight: 3000 Kellway Drive, Suite 120, Carrollton, TX 75006)
Credit Card/Retail Card Estate Services
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified May 2026
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