A caring solution to help you plan for the future and settle affairs after a loss.
How to close a Paypal account after a loved one passes
Closing a Paypal account is of the utmost importance to prevent theft and fraud because it is linked to a bank account. You will want to do this before closing the deceased's bank accounts.
Note that the Paypal account may have money left in it, so make sure you transfer the remaining balance, ideally to the estate account you’ve established.
1) If you are able to log into the account:
Withdraw any money that is still in the account. You can transfer money electronically to your bank account or ask them to send a check. (There's a $1.50 charge to send a check.)
If you have an email address on your account that you haven't confirmed, remove it from your account before you close it.
Click "Close your account” under “Account Options"
Enter the bank account number if requested
Click Close Account
2) If you don’t know how to log into the account, but have access to the associated email, phone number, or Facebook account, you can reset the password and then follow the below steps:
Go to their login page.
Click “Having trouble logging in?”
Enter the email address used for PayPal and click Next.
Select how you want to recover your password, and click Next.
If you choose to"Have us call you", you'll see a code on the screen. Use the code when you get their call. They'll then ask you to create a new password and confirm it by entering it a second time.
If you choose to "Receive a Text," Receive an email," or "Confirm through Facebook Messenger", enter the 6-digit security code they email to you and click Continue. They may ask you to confirm your card number. They'll then ask you to create a new password and confirm it by entering it a second time.
If you choose to "Answer security questions,” enter your answers and click Continue. They may ask you to confirm your card number. They'll then ask you to create a new password and confirm it by entering it a second time.
3) If you don’t have any access, you can go through the official process for closing a deceased person’s account:
Gather the following documents:
A cover sheet from the executor (or a person who is duly appointed or authorized to administer the estate of the deceased customer) identifying the account by the primary email address, stating that the account holder is deceased and that the executor wishes to have the PayPal account closed.
A copy of the death certificate for the account holder.
A copy of a government-issued photo ID (such as a driver’s license, passport or state-issued ID) of the executor of the estate.
Legal documentation or a copy of the will that identifies the executor of the estate.
Fax or mail the documents to PayPal:
Fax: 1-303-395-2815
Mail: P.O. Box 45950 Attn. Compliance Dept. Omaha, NE 68145
Upon receipt, the documentation will be reviewed and the account will be closed. Any mailed documentation will be destroyed once reviewed. They cannot return mailed documents.
They will disburse any money that remains in the account in one of the following ways:
A check, in the name of the deceased account holder.
Transfer to the bank account attached to the PayPal account