What to do when a Varo Bank account holder dies
Contact Varo Bank's Deceased Accounts — 3-step process, 5 required documents, and timeline varies based on state probate requirements. varo will verify identity and authority before releasing funds. contact deceasedaccounts@varomoney.com for case-specific timelines.
PO Box 108, Draper, UT 84020
When an account holder at Varo Bank 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 Varo Bank's estate services team (1-800-827-6526) to access and distribute the funds.
Before contacting Varo Bank, have the account holder's full name, date of birth, and any available account numbers ready. A certified death certificate is required to initiate the claim.
Death claim process
The death claim process at Varo Bank works as follows:
Filing a claim
- Contact Varo's estate services team by emailing deceasedaccounts@varomoney.com to report the death and begin the claim process.
- Alternatively, call customer service at 1-800-827-6526 (Monday–Friday 8 AM – 9 PM ET; Saturday–Sunday 11 AM – 7 PM ET; closed on federal holidays) to notify Varo and request estate claim assistance.
- Because Varo does not support beneficiary or POD designations, all account balances become part of the probate estate and are subject to state probate laws.
- Provide the required documentation: death certificate and identification of the authorized representative (executor or administrator).
- For small estates, inquire whether the applicable state's small estate affidavit procedure applies to avoid formal probate.
- Once the account and information provided have been verified, Varo will send a check for any remaining account balance to the estate or beneficiary (per Varo's Non-Customer Support guidance at https://support.varomoney.com/hc/en-us/articles/21991755876116-Non-Customer-Support).
- Per Section 20 ("Death or Incapacitation") of the Varo General Terms Agreement (effective December 18, 2025), Varo continues to accept deposits and process transaction instructions into and from the account until it is (a) notified of the account holder's death and (b) has had a reasonable opportunity to act.
- Even after Varo has knowledge of the death, it may accept deposits and make pre-authorized payments unless instructed to stop by someone evidencing an executor role over the estate; Varo may require additional documentation to confirm any claim made on the account.
- Notify deceasedaccounts@varomoney.com promptly, with proof of your executor authority, to stop continued account activity.
Required Documents
- Certified copy of the death certificate
- Valid government-issued photo ID for the executor, administrator, or authorized representative
- Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration (probate court document appointing the executor/administrator)
- For small estates: state-specific small estate affidavit (where applicable under state law)
- Account information for the deceased (account number or full legal name and last four digits of SSN)
What to know at this institution
Because Varo does not support POD or beneficiary designations on any account, all death claim distributions go through the probate estate. There is no expedited beneficiary payout path available. Non-account holders (such as estate representatives who are not Varo customers) should contact Varo via the estate email (deceasedaccounts@varomoney.com) rather than in-app support. Under Section 20 of the General Terms Agreement (effective December 18, 2025), even after Varo has knowledge of the death it may continue accepting deposits and making pre-authorized payments unless instructed to stop by someone evidencing an executor role over the estate; prompt notification with proof of executor authority stops this activity. A check for the remaining balance is issued to the estate or beneficiary once the account and submitted documentation are verified.
Opening an account for the estate itself
Checks made out to the estate deposit into an account titled to the estate, opened by the appointed executor or administrator under the estate's EIN.
Does Varo Bank offer estate accounts? →How long the process takes at Varo Bank: Timeline varies based on state probate requirements. Varo will verify identity and authority before releasing funds. Contact deceasedaccounts@varomoney.com for case-specific timelines. The most common reason for delays is missing or incomplete documentation, so submitting everything upfront is the best way to keep things moving.
Varo Bank requires several documents to process a claim, including Certified copy of the death certificate, Valid government-issued photo ID for the executor, administrator, or authorized representative, and Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration (probate court document appointing the executor/administrator), 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
The Varo Line of Credit (VLOC) allows eligible customers to borrow $600–$2,000 with a flat fee of $60–$400 based on the amount borrowed. No interest charges, no hidden fees, no late fees. Repayment is structured with equal monthly payments over 3–12 months. Like all Varo accounts, the VLOC cannot be held jointly, as POD, ITF, or under Power of Attorney. It is a borrowing product; any outstanding balance at death becomes a debt of the probate estate handled through standard unsecured debt procedures.
Email Varo's deceased accounts team at deceasedaccounts@varomoney.com or call customer service at 1-800-827-6526 (Monday–Friday 8 AM – 9 PM ET; Saturday–Sunday 11 AM – 7 PM ET; closed federal holidays). Provide the death certificate, valid photo ID for the estate representative, and Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration. Because Varo does not support beneficiary designations, all account distributions go through the probate estate. Varo will verify the representative's authority and issue a check to the estate once verification is complete.
Varo Bank's estate services team can be reached by phone at 1-800-827-6526 and email at deceasedaccounts@varomoney.com for questions throughout the claims process.
If the deceased held multiple Varo Bank accounts, each may require a separate claim or have different documentation requirements. The estate services team can confirm which accounts require individual attention and which can be processed together.
Sources
Data sourced from Varo Bank primary sources (16 pages reviewed). How we research.
PO Box 108, Draper, UT 84020
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