What to do when a VACU account holder dies
Contact VACU's Member Services - Deceased Member Accounts — 3-step process, 6 required documents, and pod beneficiaries and joint account holders can typically access funds upon providing death certificate and id. for accounts requiring court qualification, vacu requests documentation within 60 days. probate-dependent accounts depend on virginia court timelines.
Phone1-800-285-6609
Toll-Free1-800-285-6609
Fax(804) 718-6906
Mailing Address
Virginia Credit Union, P.O. Box 90010, Richmond, VA 23225-9010
Deceased Member Accounts
24-Hour QuikLine Phone Banking
Member Services - Deceased Member Accounts
Phone(804) 323-6800
Toll-Free1-800-285-6609
Fax(804) 718-6906
Mailing Address
Virginia Credit Union, P.O. Box 90010, Richmond, VA 23225-9010
Deceased Member Accounts
WebsiteLearn more→
Deceased Member Accounts
Fax(804) 718-6906
Mailing Address
Virginia Credit Union, P.O. Box 90010, Richmond, VA 23225-9010
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Jul 2026
After a VACU member dies, the Member Services - Deceased Member Accounts manages the transfer of accounts. POD-designated and trust-owned accounts pass directly to beneficiaries. Accounts held solely in the member's name may require probate court documents—Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration—before funds can be released.
VACU offers an online claims portal that makes the initial filing process more straightforward. Survivors can also initiate claims by phone or by mailing documentation directly.
Death claim process
Here is the step-by-step death claim process at VACU:
Filing a claim
1
Report the death to Virginia Credit Union
- Contact VACU at 804-323-6800, extension 1702 option 2, or visit any branch
- Submit a certified death certificate or other proof of death
2
Claim funds based on account ownership type
- For POD accounts: surviving beneficiaries provide government-issued ID and death certificate to claim funds; shares are split equally among surviving beneficiaries
- For joint accounts with rights of survivorship: surviving owner(s) receive all account funds automatically
- For IRA accounts: beneficiaries must complete separate IRA distribution paperwork
3
For accounts without POD or joint ownership, provide estate documentation
- Provide Court Qualification papers (Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration) or a small estate affidavit
- For a qualifying small estate, Virginia permits a small asset affidavit when the decedent's entire personal probate estate does not exceed $75,000 and at least 60 days have elapsed since the death (Va. Code § 64.2-601); a separate provision allows payment of a small asset valued at $35,000 or less without an affidavit (Va. Code § 64.2-602)
- Submit a notarized letter requesting account settlement including your phone number, address, and instructions
- VACU requests the required information within 60 days of notification
Required Documents
- Certified death certificate
- Government-issued photo ID for claimant
- Court Qualification papers (Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration) if no POD beneficiary or joint owner
- Small estate affidavit under Va. Code § 64.2-601 (if the entire personal probate estate does not exceed $75,000 and 60 days have elapsed since death), in lieu of court qualification
- Notarized letter requesting account settlement with phone number, address, and instructions
- Trust documents (if trust is named as beneficiary)
What to know at this institution
Power of Attorney becomes void at the moment of death and cannot be used to access or settle accounts. VACU does not accept Last Will and Testaments directly; wills must go through Virginia probate court, which issues Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration. Federal benefit payments received after death are returned to the government.
Prepare your letter of instruction to VACU
VACU accepts a claimant-drafted letter of instruction. We draft it for you — addressed to VACU's verified claims department, with the documents it requires enclosed.
Build your letter of instructionHow long the process takes at VACU: POD beneficiaries and joint account holders can typically access funds upon providing death certificate and ID. For accounts requiring court qualification, VACU requests documentation within 60 days. Probate-dependent accounts depend on Virginia court timelines. The most common reason for delays is missing or incomplete documentation, so submitting everything upfront is the best way to keep things moving.
VACU requires several documents to process a claim, including Certified death certificate, Government-issued photo ID for claimant, and Court Qualification papers (Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration) if no POD beneficiary or joint owner, 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
Visit any Virginia Credit Union branch with government-issued ID or call 804-323-6800 (800-285-6609). Request a POD (Payable on Death) beneficiary designation for deposit accounts. Provide the beneficiary full legal name, date of birth, and relationship. All identified trustees on the account must sign documentation authorizing the change. You can download the Authorization/Designation Form at https://www.vacu.org/sites/default/files/2025-02/Authorization%20Designation%20Form_10.2024.pdf. IRA beneficiary designations are handled separately.
No. A Power of Attorney becomes void at the moment of death and cannot be used to access or manage accounts afterward. Estate settlement must proceed through POD beneficiary designations, joint account ownership, or probate court appointing a Personal Representative who presents Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration.
If the account has a POD beneficiary or joint owner, the surviving party needs a certified death certificate and government-issued photo ID. If there is no POD or joint owner, the estate representative must provide Court Qualification papers (Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration) or a small estate affidavit, along with a notarized letter requesting account settlement that includes a phone number, address, and instructions. Virginia permits a small asset affidavit when the decedent's entire personal probate estate does not exceed $75,000 and at least 60 days have passed since the death (Va. Code § 64.2-601). VACU requests required documentation within 60 days of notification. Call the Deceased Member Accounts team at 804-323-6800 ext. 1702, option 2, or visit https://www.vacu.org/help/membership/deceased-member-accounts for details.
VACU's Deceased Member Accounts can be reached by phone at 804-323-6800 ext. 1702, option 2 and fax at (804) 718-6906 for questions throughout the claims process.
When the deceased had multiple VACU accounts, some may need separate claims while others can be handled together. The Member Services - Deceased Member Accounts can clarify what's needed for each account type.
Sources
Data sourced from VACU primary sources (25 pages reviewed). How we research.
Phone1-800-285-6609
Toll-Free1-800-285-6609
Fax(804) 718-6906
Mailing Address
Virginia Credit Union, P.O. Box 90010, Richmond, VA 23225-9010
Deceased Member Accounts
24-Hour QuikLine Phone Banking
Member Services - Deceased Member Accounts
Phone(804) 323-6800
Toll-Free1-800-285-6609
Fax(804) 718-6906
Mailing Address
Virginia Credit Union, P.O. Box 90010, Richmond, VA 23225-9010
Deceased Member Accounts
WebsiteLearn more→
Deceased Member Accounts
Fax(804) 718-6906
Mailing Address
Virginia Credit Union, P.O. Box 90010, Richmond, VA 23225-9010
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Jul 2026
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