How to Get Money Out of a Deceased NatWest Bank Account

Dealing with a deceased NatWest bank account is one of the first practical tasks executors face after a bereavement — and NatWest’s £25,000 probate threshold catches many families completely off guard. Unlike Barclays, Lloyds, and HSBC, which typically allow up to £50,000 to be released without a Grant of Probate, NatWest sets its limit at half that figure. If the deceased held more than £25,000 across their NatWest accounts, you will almost certainly need to obtain probate before funds can be released — even if the estate otherwise appears straightforward. This guide walks you through every step of the NatWest bereavement process, from the initial notification call through to final account closure.

How to Notify NatWest of a Death

NatWest offers three ways to register a bereavement: online via the NatWest website’s dedicated bereavement form, by telephone, or in person at any NatWest branch. The quickest route for most executors is a call to the NatWest Bereavement team on 0800 161 5903, available Monday to Friday 8am–8pm and Saturday 8am–4pm.

Alternatively, NatWest is registered with the Death Notification Service — the free, secure online service that lets you notify multiple participating banks and building societies with a single registration. If the deceased banked with several institutions, this can save considerable time and paperwork. However, even after using the Death Notification Service, you will still need to contact NatWest directly to progress the account closure and funds-release process.

If you prefer to correspond by post, write to: NatWest Bereavement Centre, PO Box 5423, Worthing BN99 5JU. Include a copy of the death certificate and the full name, date of birth, and account details of the deceased where known.

It is worth noting that Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) is part of the same banking group as NatWest, but the two brands operate separate bereavement processes with separate thresholds. If the deceased held accounts with both NatWest and RBS, you will need to contact each institution independently.

Documents You Will Need

Before contacting NatWest, gather the following documents. Having them ready will avoid delays at each stage of the process.

• Original death certificate (or a certified copy issued by the registrar)
• Your own photo ID — a passport or driving licence — to confirm your identity as executor or next of kin
• Proof of your address — a utility bill or bank statement dated within the last three months
• The Will (if one exists) — NatWest will want to confirm who the executors are
• Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration — required if the estate exceeds £25,000 or if NatWest considers the circumstances complex
• IHT423 form — if Inheritance Tax is payable and you need NatWest to pay HMRC directly from the estate funds, NatWest accepts the IHT423 transfer request

Our probate solicitors can advise you on which documents apply to your specific circumstances and help you prepare a complete application pack before approaching NatWest.

Releasing Funds for Funeral Costs

NatWest — like most major UK banks — will consider releasing funds directly to a funeral director to cover verified funeral expenses before probate is granted. This is a discretionary process: you will need to provide an invoice or estimate from the funeral director, and NatWest’s bereavement team will assess the request on a case-by-case basis.

To request early release of funeral funds, contact the NatWest Bereavement team on 0800 161 5903 and explain the situation. You will typically need to supply the death certificate, the funeral director’s invoice, and your own identification. NatWest will usually pay the funeral director directly rather than releasing cash to the executor, which means the funds cannot be used for any other purpose.

The Grant of Probate Threshold at NatWest — Deceased NatWest Bank Account Holders Should Note the £25,000 Limit

NatWest’s threshold for releasing funds without a Grant of Probate is £25,000 — significantly lower than the £50,000 limit published by several of its major competitors. This threshold applies to the total balance across all NatWest accounts held in the deceased’s sole name at the date of death. If the combined balance exceeds £25,000, NatWest will require you to obtain a formal Grant of Probate (or Letters of Administration if there is no Will) before releasing any funds.

This lower threshold has a practical consequence that many executors do not anticipate: an estate that would be classed as “small” at Barclays or HSBC — and dealt with by a simple statutory declaration — may require full probate proceedings at NatWest. This adds weeks or months to the administration timeline and incurs additional costs. For guidance on the official probate application process, see the GOV.UK probate guidance. Our team can also provide a fixed-fee quote for the full Grant of Probate application — visit our probate costs page for transparent pricing.

When Probate Is Required

Probate is required at NatWest whenever the deceased’s sole NatWest account balances exceed £25,000. Once that threshold is reached, NatWest will ask to see the original Grant of Probate or sealed Letters of Administration before transferring or releasing funds to the estate.

Probate may also be required regardless of the account balance in other circumstances — for example, if the deceased owned property in their sole name, if there are disputes between beneficiaries, or if HMRC requires an Inheritance Tax return before probate can be issued. In practice, most estates involving a property will go through the probate process irrespective of the bank’s individual threshold.

Our estate administration service covers the full process from initial notification through to final distribution, including applying for probate where necessary.

Joint Accounts and Sole Accounts

The rules differ significantly depending on whether the NatWest account was held jointly or in the deceased’s sole name.

Joint accounts at NatWest pass automatically to the surviving account holder under the principle of survivorship — this happens by operation of law and does not require probate. The surviving holder simply needs to notify NatWest of the death and provide a death certificate; the account is then converted to a sole account in the survivor’s name. The balance of a joint account does not count towards the £25,000 threshold for probate purposes at NatWest.

Sole accounts are frozen on notification and can only be accessed once NatWest is satisfied with the authority of the person making the claim — either through a statutory declaration (for estates under £25,000) or a Grant of Probate/Letters of Administration (for estates above that figure).

NatWest-Specific Process and Policies

NatWest’s bereavement team is a dedicated unit separate from general customer services. Once you have notified NatWest, a bereavement specialist will be assigned to the case and will be your main point of contact throughout the process.

NatWest does not charge any administration fees for closing a deceased person’s accounts, regardless of the complexity of the estate. NatWest accepts the IHT423 form, which allows the bank to pay any Inheritance Tax liability directly to HMRC from the deceased’s account before probate is granted — a useful mechanism that avoids executors needing to fund an IHT payment personally before obtaining the grant. This is arranged directly through the bereavement team.

Frequently Asked Questions: Deceased NatWest Bank Account

If you are dealing with a deceased NatWest bank account and need professional support, Curtis Legal’s probate team is here to help. Simon Jenkins (SRA 167489) leads our estate administration practice and offers a same-day callback to executors and families who need urgent advice. Call us today on 0800 214 216 — we will explain your options clearly, confirm whether probate is required, and provide a fixed-fee quote with no obligation.