How to Get Money Out of a Deceased TSB Bank Account

Dealing with a deceased TSB bank account is made easier by TSB’s modern approach to bereavement administration — including DocuSign electronic forms that mean you never need to print or post anything, and a partnership with Farewill that gives TSB customers access to discounted estate administration services. TSB, now owned by Sabadell following the acquisition completed in 2025, has maintained its UK bereavement service and continues to accept notifications through its dedicated bereavement team, by DocuSign, or in branch. This guide walks you through every stage of the process, from the first call to the final distribution of funds.

How to Notify TSB of a Death

TSB can be notified of a death in three ways: by telephone, using a DocuSign electronic form, or in person at a branch. The dedicated bereavement telephone line is 0345 835 7834, available Monday to Friday 8am–6pm and Saturday 9am–2pm. When you call, TSB’s bereavement team will guide you through the initial notification and explain what documentation is needed.

TSB’s DocuSign electronic form is a significant advantage for many families. Rather than printing forms, signing them by hand, and posting them back, DocuSign allows you to complete and submit the bereavement notification form entirely online. No printer is required, no postage is needed, and the forms are legally valid. TSB will send you a DocuSign link once you have made initial contact.

For postal correspondence, write to: TSB Bank PLC, Bereavement Services, PO Box 453, Mitcheldean GL14 9LR. Include a certified copy of the death certificate and the deceased’s full name, date of birth, and account details.

TSB participates in the Death Notification Service, which allows you to notify multiple financial institutions simultaneously using a single online form. If the deceased held accounts with other participating institutions, this service can significantly reduce the administrative burden.

Documents You Will Need

TSB’s bereavement team will confirm the specific documents required once you have made initial contact, but as a general guide you should prepare:

• The original death certificate or a certified copy issued by the registrar
• Proof of your own identity — a passport or driving licence — and a recent proof of address
• If there is a will: the original will or a certified copy
• For estates above TSB’s £25,000 threshold: a Grant of Probate (England and Wales), Confirmation (Scotland), or Letters of Administration (intestacy)
• TSB’s completed bereavement claim forms — these can be sent via DocuSign, removing the need to print or post anything
• For funeral cost release: a funeral director’s invoice or written estimate on headed paper

TSB also accepts the HMRC IHT423 direct payment form, which allows inheritance tax to be paid directly from the deceased’s TSB account before the estate is wound up. For a comprehensive overview of what is involved, visit our probate solicitors page.

Releasing Funds for Funeral Costs

TSB, like most UK banks, will release funds directly to a funeral director before probate is obtained to cover verified funeral expenses. To request a funeral payment from TSB, you will need to provide the death certificate, a funeral director’s invoice or written estimate on headed paper, and your proof of identity. TSB will typically pay the funeral director directly rather than releasing cash to the estate representative.

Given TSB’s lower probate threshold of £25,000, it is worth checking early whether the estate will require a Grant of Probate, as this affects the timeline for releasing the full balance of the account.

The Grant of Probate Threshold at TSB

TSB has one of the lowest probate thresholds of any major UK bank, requiring a Grant of Probate (or Confirmation in Scotland) for sole accounts where the total balance exceeds £25,000. This is significantly lower than the £50,000 threshold operated by many competitors, including Nationwide and Bank of Scotland.

This means that if the deceased held more than £25,000 in TSB sole accounts, you will need to obtain a Grant of Probate before TSB will release the funds — even if the estate is relatively modest in size. Below the £25,000 threshold, TSB may release funds on production of the death certificate, proof of entitlement, and a signed indemnity.

Understanding the full picture of probate costs at the outset avoids unexpected delays. For official guidance on the process, see the GOV.UK applying for probate page.

When Probate Is Required

You will generally need to obtain a Grant of Probate before TSB will release funds if:

• The total balance in sole TSB accounts exceeds £25,000
• The estate includes property held in the deceased’s sole name
• Other institutions holding estate assets require probate regardless of the amount
• There is uncertainty about who is entitled to administer the estate

TSB’s lower threshold compared to competitors means that probate is required more frequently for TSB account holders. It is worth factoring this into your timeline if the deceased held significant funds with TSB. Our estate administration service can manage the full application process.

Joint Accounts and Sole Accounts

Joint accounts pass automatically to the surviving account holder by right of survivorship. TSB will re-register the account in the survivor’s sole name on receipt of the death certificate and proof of identity. No Grant of Probate or Confirmation is required for the joint account itself, and the surviving holder retains full access to the funds immediately.

Sole accounts are frozen on notification of death. No withdrawals — other than funeral cost payments — can be made until the executor or administrator produces the required documentation. Where TSB’s £25,000 threshold is exceeded, a Grant of Probate or Confirmation must be produced before the account can be released.

TSB-Specific Process and Policies

TSB has several features that distinguish its bereavement process from those of other high street banks:

• Sabadell ownership: TSB is owned by Sabadell, a Spanish banking group, following the acquisition completed in 2025. Day-to-day UK operations, including bereavement services, continue under the TSB brand
• DocuSign electronic forms: TSB allows executors and administrators to complete and submit all bereavement forms electronically via DocuSign — no printing or posting required
• Farewill partnership: TSB has a formal partnership with Farewill, a specialist estate administration provider. TSB customers and their families can access discounted estate administration services through Farewill as part of this arrangement
• Bereavement phone line: 0345 835 7834 (Mon–Fri 8am–6pm, Sat 9am–2pm)
• Probate/Confirmation threshold: £25,000 — lower than most competitors
• Postal address: TSB Bank PLC, Bereavement Services, PO Box 453, Mitcheldean GL14 9LR
• Death Notification Service: Accepted
• IHT423: Accepted — inheritance tax can be paid directly from the deceased’s TSB account
• Joint accounts: Survivorship applies — transferred to surviving holder on production of death certificate

Frequently Asked Questions: Deceased TSB Bank Account

Accessing money from a deceased TSB bank account is made more efficient by TSB’s DocuSign electronic forms and dedicated bereavement team, but the lower £25,000 probate threshold means that many families will need to obtain a Grant of Probate before funds can be released. Simon Jenkins (SRA 167489) and the team at Curtis Legal offer same-day callbacks, fixed-fee probate services, and clear guidance tailored to your specific situation. Call us free on 0800 214 216 — we are ready to help you every step of the way.