What to do when a Vanguard account holder dies
Contact Vanguard's Personal Investor Services — 3-step process, 6 required documents, and varies by account type and documentation; most transfers complete within a few weeks after all documents received
Vanguard, P.O. Box 982901, El Paso, TX 79998-2901
Personal Investor Services
Vanguard, P.O. Box 982901, El Paso, TX 79998-2901
Vanguard, P.O. Box 982901, El Paso, TX 79998-2901
After an account holder at Vanguard 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 Vanguard's estate services team at 1-877-662-7447 with the proper legal authority documents.
Vanguard 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 Vanguard requires:
Filing a claim
- Call Vanguard at 877-662-7447 and mention "change of ownership" to report the death
- Provide the deceased's full name, date of birth, Social Security number, and date of passing
- Vanguard will freeze the account to protect it from unauthorized activity
- Vanguard will attempt to verify the death independently; provide a death certificate if they cannot
- If named beneficiary: log in to your Vanguard account (or register for one) and provide information about the deceased
- Upload supporting documents and designate where inherited assets should go (existing or new Vanguard account)
- Complete the Transfer Due to Death of Account Owner form (Form S737)
- If estate/probate: provide Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration (certified within 60 days) and the estate tax ID number
- Vanguard will process the transfer and notify you when complete
Required Documents
- Death certificate (if Vanguard cannot verify the death independently)
- Government-issued ID for beneficiary or executor
- Transfer Due to Death of Account Owner form (Form S737)
- Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration, certified within 60 days (if probate required)
- Estate tax identification number (if transferring to estate account)
- Small Estate Affidavit (if estate qualifies under state law)
Claims Contact
What to know at this institution
Vanguard does not proactively contact beneficiaries after a death. Someone must notify Vanguard and the beneficiaries. Death notification is by phone or online portal only. When calling, mention "change of ownership" to be routed to the correct team. An alternative phone number (877-320-4822) may also connect to the inheritance team. Forms can also be ordered by calling 866-734-4530.
Prepare your letter of instruction to Vanguard
Vanguard provides its own letter-of-instruction form. Answer a few questions and we complete that official form for you to print and sign.
Build your letter of instructionHow long the process takes at Vanguard: Varies by account type and documentation; most transfers complete within a few weeks after all documents 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 Vanguard includes Death certificate (if Vanguard cannot verify the death independently), Government-issued ID for beneficiary or executor, and Transfer Due to Death of Account Owner form (Form S737), along with additional paperwork that varies by account type. All death certificates and court documents must be certified copies.
Frequently asked questions
Log in to your Vanguard account, navigate to Profile & Account Settings, then Beneficiaries, and select the non-retirement account. Add primary and/or contingent beneficiaries with percentage allocations. Alternatively, download and mail the Transfer on Death Plan Kit (Form BDBP) from https://personal1.vanguard.com/forms/bdbp.pdf. TOD registration is available for individual and Joint Tenants with Rights of Survivorship accounts.
Call Vanguard at 877-662-7447 and mention "change of ownership" to be routed to the correct team. Provide the deceased's full name, date of birth, Social Security number, and date of passing. Vanguard will freeze the account to protect it from unauthorized activity. You can also start the process online at https://move-money.web.vanguard.com/registration-check?flowType=coo if you are a named beneficiary, executor, or administrator.
Vanguard's estate services team can be reached by phone at 1-877-662-7447 for questions throughout the claims process.
Multiple Vanguard investment accounts may mean multiple claims. Some account types can be processed together, but others require their own documentation. Check with the estate services team to confirm what applies.
Sources
Data sourced from Vanguard primary sources (15 pages reviewed). How we research.
Vanguard, P.O. Box 982901, El Paso, TX 79998-2901
Personal Investor Services
Vanguard, P.O. Box 982901, El Paso, TX 79998-2901
Vanguard, P.O. Box 982901, El Paso, TX 79998-2901
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