Closing a Citibank Account After a Death

How to start

Call Citibank's Estate Services: 1-800-950-5114 and select the estate or deceased option from the menu. Or visit a Citi branch with documentation. Citibank also has an Estate Servicing Center online.

Note: Phone numbers for specialized services like estate administration can change. If this number doesn't reach estate services, ask to be transferred.

What to bring

Certified death certificate (Citi may require a notarized copy depending on the estate's complexity and state law)
Your government-issued photo ID
The deceased's account information
Letters testamentary or letters of administration

What to expect

Citibank freezes accounts upon notification of the death.

Joint account: Surviving owner retains access; deceased's name removed.
Sole account: Frozen until legal documentation is provided.
Payable on Death (POD) account: Beneficiary claims with death certificate and ID.

Citibank may require notarized documents depending on the estate's complexity and applicable state law. Ask when you call what their specific requirements are.

Citi credit cards

Report through the same estate services line. You are not personally responsible for the deceased's Citi credit card balance unless you were a joint account holder. The estate is responsible for outstanding balances.

Timeline

3 to 8 weeks. Citibank's process can be slower than some other major banks. Build in extra time when planning.

If this is the third or fourth bank you've called this week, you're doing more than most people manage. Take a break.