What Documents Are Needed After Someone Dies?
After a death, paperwork quickly becomes part of the process. Knowing which documents matter — and where to find them — makes everything significantly easier for whoever is handling the estate. This guide covers what to gather, where to look, and how each document is used.
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Get my personalized plan →Death certificates: the most essential document
The death certificate is the document you will need most. Financial institutions, government agencies, courts, insurance companies, and pension administrators all require a certified copy — not a photocopy — before they will act on anything.
Certified copies are issued by the vital records office in the county or state where the death occurred. The funeral home typically handles the initial filing and can usually order certified copies for you at the time of arrangements.
Order more than you think you will need. Most families benefit from having 8–12 certified copies. Each bank, each insurance policy, each government agency, and the probate court will each typically require their own original certified copy. Ordering too few is a common mistake that causes delays weeks into the process.
If you run out of certified copies, you can order additional ones through the vital records office in the state where the death occurred. Processing times vary by state but typically take 1–4 weeks.
Legal documents: will, trust, and powers of attorney
The will
The original signed will is the primary legal document guiding how the estate is distributed. You will need to file it with the probate court if the estate goes through probate. Look for it in home files, a safe deposit box, with the deceased's attorney, or at any storage service they may have used.
Some states also maintain a will registry where testators can file a notice of where the will is kept. Check with the local probate court if you cannot locate it through other means.
Trust documents
If the deceased had a revocable living trust, the trust agreement governs how assets held in the trust are distributed — without going through probate. The successor trustee named in the trust document will need it to access and distribute trust assets.
Powers of attorney
Powers of attorney expire automatically at death. They are no longer operative once the person dies. However, keep them as part of the estate files in case any pre-death financial transactions are questioned later.
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Get my personalized plan →Financial documents
The executor or administrator will need to inventory all financial assets as part of the estate process. Gather:
- Bank account statements — checking, savings, and money market accounts at all institutions
- Investment and brokerage account statements
- Retirement account statements — IRAs, 401(k)s, 403(b)s, pensions
- Life insurance policies — including any group life insurance through employers
- Certificates of deposit and savings bonds
- Annuity contracts
- Stock certificates (if physical certificates exist)
For accounts you cannot locate, check recent tax returns — any account earning interest or dividends should appear on Form 1099. The deceased's mail is also a useful source; statements and account notices will continue arriving for several months after death.
If you suspect unclaimed accounts, your state's unclaimed property database (usually searchable online) can help locate dormant accounts that may have escheated to the state.
Property and ownership documents
- Real estate deeds — showing how property was titled (joint, sole, trust)
- Mortgage statements and any home equity loan documents
- Vehicle titles
- Safe deposit box key and the bank's location (contents must be inventoried)
- Storage unit rental agreements
- Business ownership documents — operating agreements, stock certificates, partnership agreements
- Deeds to burial plots or cemetery rights
The property deed is especially important — it determines whether real estate goes through probate or transfers automatically. If you cannot locate the deed, your county recorder's office maintains public records of all recorded deeds.
Tax and government records
- Federal and state tax returns for the past 3 years — needed to file the final return and identify any outstanding issues
- Social Security card and any Social Security benefit letters
- Medicare card and any Medicare correspondence
- Military discharge papers (DD-214) — required for VA burial benefits
- Birth certificate — may be needed for Social Security survivor benefit applications
- Marriage certificate — needed for surviving spouse benefits
- Divorce decrees — relevant to how assets are divided and whether prior obligations exist
- Citizenship or naturalization documents if relevant
Other documents worth gathering
- Employer and pension benefit documents — contact HR about any death benefits or pension survivor options
- Outstanding loan or debt statements — car loans, personal loans, credit card accounts
- Recent medical bills and health insurance information — needed to submit final claims
- Homeowner's or renter's insurance policies
- Auto insurance policies
- Email account access or a list of digital assets and passwords — these assets may have value or require notification
Digital assets are increasingly significant. Cryptocurrency holdings, online bank accounts, and PayPal/Venmo balances may require separate steps to access and transfer. If you do not have account credentials, working with an estate attorney or the platforms directly is often necessary.
Frequently asked questions
How many death certificates should I order?
Order at least 8–12 certified copies. Banks, insurance companies, government agencies, the probate court, and pension administrators each typically require their own certified copy. Photocopies are not accepted. It is easier and cheaper to order extra upfront than to request them later.
What if I cannot find the will?
Search home files, safe deposit boxes, and any home safes. Contact attorneys the deceased worked with — they often keep original wills. Some states have will registries. If no will is found after a thorough search, the estate proceeds under state intestacy law as if no will existed.
Do banks require original documents?
Banks require certified copies of the death certificate — issued by the vital records office with an official seal. They do not accept photocopies. In addition to the death certificate, banks typically want to see Letters Testamentary (the court document appointing the executor) before releasing account access.
What if I cannot find financial account information?
Check recent tax returns — interest, dividends, and retirement distributions appear on 1099 forms and identify accounts. Review recent bank and credit card statements for recurring transfers. The deceased's mail will also reveal account statements. For older dormant accounts, search your state's unclaimed property database.
Are digital accounts and passwords part of the estate?
Yes. Digital assets — including online bank accounts, investment platforms, cryptocurrency, PayPal, and even subscription services — are part of the estate. Access often requires account credentials. If you do not have them, work through each platform's deceased user process or consult an attorney for accounts holding significant value.
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