What to do when a WaFd Bank account holder dies
Contact WaFd Bank's Client Care / Estate Services — 8-step process, 9 required documents, and 7-14 business days after all documents are received, depending on account type and complexity
Phone1-800-324-9375
Toll-Free1-800-324-9375
Mailing Address
WaFd Bank, 425 Pike Street, Seattle, WA 98101
Client Care / Estate Services
Phone1-800-324-9375
Mailing Address
WaFd Bank, 425 Pike Street, Seattle, WA 98101
WebsiteLearn more →
Phone1-800-324-9375
Mailing Address
WaFd Bank, 425 Pike Street, Seattle, WA 98101
Verified Mar 2026
When a WaFd Bank 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 WaFd Bank's Client Care / Estate Services (1-800-324-9375) to access and distribute the funds.
Gather the account holder's full name, date of birth, and any known account or policy numbers before contacting WaFd Bank. A certified death certificate is the primary document required to start any claim.
Death claim process
Here is the step-by-step death claim process at WaFd Bank:
Filing a claim
1Contact WaFd Bank Client Care at 800-324-9375 or visit a local branch to report the death of an account holder
2For accounts with a POD beneficiary: provide a certified copy of the death certificate and valid government-issued ID for the beneficiary
3For joint accounts with right of survivorship: provide a certified copy of the death certificate; surviving owner retains access
4For trust accounts: provide death certificate, trust documentation, and successor trustee identification
5For accounts without a beneficiary or joint owner: obtain Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration from probate court, or a small estate affidavit if applicable under state law
6For IRA accounts: provide death certificate, beneficiary identification, and complete the IRA distribution or inherited IRA forms
7Submit all required documents to a WaFd Bank branch or by mail
8WaFd Bank will review documents and process the claim
Required Documents
- Certified copy of the death certificate
- Valid government-issued photo ID for the claimant (beneficiary, executor, successor trustee, or surviving joint owner)
- Account information for the deceased (account numbers, if known)
- For accounts without beneficiary: Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration from probate court
- For small estates: small estate affidavit (state-specific requirements apply)
- For trust accounts: trust documentation including successor trustee provisions
- For trust accounts: government-issued ID for the successor trustee
- For IRA accounts: IRA distribution or inherited IRA application forms
- Written instructions indicating preferred distribution method
In-branch processing is recommended for the most efficient handling of estate claims. WaFd Bank has over 200 branches across WA, OR, ID, UT, AZ, NV, NM, TX, and CA. Distribution options typically include transfer to a new or existing WaFd account or a check. Probate requirements vary by state. Early withdrawal penalties on CDs are typically waived for death claims.
Processing timelines at WaFd Bank: 7-14 business days after all documents are received, depending on account type and complexity. Incomplete documentation is the most common cause of delays—submitting all required documents with the initial claim helps avoid additional processing time.
WaFd Bank requires several documents to process a claim, including Certified copy of the death certificate, Valid government-issued photo ID for the claimant (beneficiary, executor, successor trustee, or surviving joint owner), and Account information for the deceased (account numbers, if known), 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 a WaFd Bank branch or call Client Care at 800-324-9375 (available 24/7) to request a Payable on Death (POD) beneficiary designation form. Complete the form with your beneficiary full name, date of birth, and Social Security number, then sign and return it to your local branch. Online self-service beneficiary designation is not currently available for deposit accounts.
Contact WaFd Bank Client Care at 800-324-9375 (available 24/7) or visit any local branch to report the death of an account holder. You will need a certified copy of the death certificate, your government-issued ID, and any available account information for the deceased. The bank will guide you through the required documentation based on how the account is titled.
Processing time varies based on account type, titling, and completeness of documentation. POD accounts with a named beneficiary are typically the fastest, requiring only a death certificate and beneficiary identification. Accounts requiring probate take longer depending on the state court process. Allow 7-14 business days after all documents are received for initial review.
If the CD has a POD beneficiary, the beneficiary can claim the funds by presenting a certified death certificate and valid ID at a WaFd Bank branch. The early withdrawal penalty is typically waived for death claims. If there is no beneficiary, the CD becomes part of the estate and probate documents may be required.
Contact WaFd Bank at 800-324-9375 or visit a branch to complete an IRA beneficiary designation form. You can designate both primary and contingent beneficiaries. A trust can also be named as an IRA beneficiary. IRA accounts cannot be retitled to a trust, so beneficiary designation is the appropriate method for directing IRA assets upon death.
WaFd Bank's Client Care / Estate Services can be reached by phone at 1-800-324-9375 for questions throughout the claims process.
If the deceased held multiple WaFd Bank accounts, each may require a separate claim or have different documentation requirements. The Client Care / Estate Services can confirm which accounts require individual attention and which can be processed together.
Phone1-800-324-9375
Toll-Free1-800-324-9375
Mailing Address
WaFd Bank, 425 Pike Street, Seattle, WA 98101
Client Care / Estate Services
Phone1-800-324-9375
Mailing Address
WaFd Bank, 425 Pike Street, Seattle, WA 98101
WebsiteLearn more →
Phone1-800-324-9375
Mailing Address
WaFd Bank, 425 Pike Street, Seattle, WA 98101
Verified Mar 2026
Tools for settling a WaFd Bank estate
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