What to do when a Synovus account holder dies
Contact Synovus — 9-step process, 6 required documents, and pod beneficiaries may access funds upon presenting death certificate and valid id at a branch. non-pod accounts require probate documentation; timeline varies by state.
Phone1-888-796-6887
Mailing Address
Synovus, P.O. Box 120, Columbus, GA 31902
Mortgage Customer Service
Trust & Wealth Management
WebsiteLearn more →
Phone1-888-796-6887
Mailing Address
Synovus, P.O. Box 120, Columbus, GA 31902
Mortgage Customer Service
Trust & Wealth Management
WebsiteLearn more →
Death Claims
Phone1-888-796-6887
Toll-Free1-888-796-6887
Mailing Address
Synovus Bank, P.O. Box 120, Columbus, GA 31902
Mortgage Death Claims
Verified Feb 2026
When a Synovus 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 Synovus's Death Claims (1-888-796-6887) to access and distribute the funds.
The claim process begins with a phone call to 1-888-796-6887. Have the account holder's full name, account numbers, and a certified death certificate available when making initial contact.
Deposit, investment & retirement accounts
Here is the step-by-step death claim process at Synovus:
Filing a claim
1Contact Synovus customer service at 1-888-796-6887 or visit a branch to report the death
2Provide the deceased's full legal name and account information
3For POD accounts: beneficiary presents a valid ID and certified death certificate at a branch to receive funds
4For joint accounts: surviving owner presents death certificate to transfer sole ownership
5For trust accounts: successor trustee notifies the bank and provides death certificate and Certificate of Trust naming successor trustee
6For sole-owner accounts without POD: executor presents Letters Testamentary and death certificate
7If no will or named executor: obtain Letters of Administration from probate court and present to the bank
8Submit all required documentation for review
9Wait for processing and distribution of account funds
Required Documents
- Certified death certificate (multiple copies recommended)
- Government-issued photo ID for claimant
- Letters Testamentary (if will names an executor)
- Letters of Administration (if no will or no named executor)
- Trust documents and Certificate of Trust naming successor trustee (for trust-owned accounts)
- Small Estate Affidavit (if estate qualifies under state law)
POD account beneficiaries can access funds directly by visiting a branch with valid ID and a certified death certificate. Joint account holders can transfer sole ownership with a death certificate. Trust account successor trustees should notify the bank and provide the death certificate and Certificate of Trust. For accounts requiring probate, an estate attorney can help navigate the process. For mortgage-related death claims, contact Synovus Mortgage Customer Service at 1-800-803-0803. Order several certified copies of the death certificate before beginning the process.
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.
1Notify Synovus Mortgage Customer Service at 1-800-803-0803 of the borrower's death
2Provide the deceased borrower's full legal name, Social Security number, and loan number
3Submit a certified copy of the death certificate
4Request to be recognized as a Successor in Interest under CFPB mortgage servicing rules
5Provide documentation proving your ownership interest in the property (e.g., probated will, court order, deed, trust document, or marriage certificate)
6Synovus will review your documentation and confirm your status as a Successor in Interest
7Once confirmed, you will have access to loan information and can discuss options: continue making payments, apply for loss mitigation, assume the loan, refinance, or pay off the balance
8Continue 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), Synovus 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. Confirmed Successors in Interest are treated as borrowers under CFPB mortgage servicing rules and are entitled to account information, loss mitigation options, and assumption rights. General customer service: 1-888-796-6887.
Processing timelines at Synovus: POD beneficiaries may access funds upon presenting death certificate and valid ID at a branch. Non-POD accounts require probate documentation; timeline varies by state.. Incomplete documentation is the most common cause of delays—submitting all required documents with the initial claim helps avoid additional processing time.
Synovus requires several documents to process a claim, including Certified death certificate (multiple copies recommended), Government-issued photo ID for claimant, and Letters Testamentary (if will names an executor), and additional documentation depending on the account type. Certified copies are typically needed—photocopies are generally not accepted for death certificates or court documents.
Frequently asked questions
Call Synovus at 1-888-SYNOVUS (1-888-796-6887) or visit a branch to complete a POD (Payable-on-Death) beneficiary designation form. Name both primary and contingent beneficiaries. The account remains in your control during your lifetime, and assets pass directly to beneficiaries without going through probate.
It depends on how the account is titled. For POD accounts, the named beneficiary visits a branch with valid ID and a certified death certificate to access funds. For joint accounts, the surviving owner presents a death certificate. For trust accounts, the successor trustee notifies the bank and provides the death certificate and Certificate of Trust. For sole-owner accounts without POD, the executor must present Letters Testamentary and a death certificate. Contact Synovus at 1-888-796-6887 to begin the process.
At minimum, you need a certified death certificate and valid government-issued ID. Depending on account type, you may also need Letters Testamentary (if a will names an executor), Letters of Administration (if there is no will), or trust documents if the account is held in a trust. It is recommended to order several certified copies of the death certificate.
Synovus's Death Claims can be reached by phone at 1-888-796-6887 for questions throughout the claims process.
If the deceased held multiple Synovus accounts, each may require a separate claim or have different documentation requirements. The Death Claims can confirm which accounts require individual attention and which can be processed together.
Phone1-888-796-6887
Mailing Address
Synovus, P.O. Box 120, Columbus, GA 31902
Mortgage Customer Service
Trust & Wealth Management
WebsiteLearn more →
Phone1-888-796-6887
Mailing Address
Synovus, P.O. Box 120, Columbus, GA 31902
Mortgage Customer Service
Trust & Wealth Management
WebsiteLearn more →
Death Claims
Phone1-888-796-6887
Toll-Free1-888-796-6887
Mailing Address
Synovus Bank, P.O. Box 120, Columbus, GA 31902
Mortgage Death Claims
Verified Feb 2026
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