What's on this page?

Finding the help you need

We're here to make sure you have all the support you need when it comes to managing the finances of the deceased.
This leaflet explains how to register the death with the government and what to do next. 

Register the death

The first step you'll need to take is to register the death. This must be done within 5 days in England and Wales, or 8 days in Scotland. 
After you've registered the death, you'll be given a death certificate. We'll need to see the death certificate so we can help you manage the accounts and finances of the deceased.

Get in touch 

To let us know about a death, to freeze an account, or to get help with understanding what to do next, please get in touch using one of the contact methods below.

Use our online form

You can let us know about a bereavement by using our online form.

Give us a call

If you'd like to talk with a member of our team, you can call us between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday. 

Come into branch

If you'd prefer to speak in person, you can visit one of our YBS branches. Remember to bring along a copy of the death certificate. 

Write to us 

Bereavement Team
Customer Service Centre
Yorkshire Building Society
Yorkshire House
Yorkshire Drive
Bradford
BD5 8LJ

Glossary of terms

Administrator

A person who has Letters of Administration. It means they can manage the estate of someone who has died, if they didn't have a will.

 

Beneficiary

A person who inherits either:

Under the terms of a will

Or:
By the rules of intestacy (if no will was made)
 

Certificate of confirmation

The Scottish version of a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration.

 

Death Certificate

The legal record of someone's death.

 

Executor

A person named in a will, who can manage the estate of someone who has died. They can also apply for a Grant of Probate. 

 

Grant of Probate

It's a formal document given by the Probate Registry. It confirms the executor's authority to manage the estate of the person who has died. 

 

Grant of Representation

This is a general term which includes Grant of Probate, Letters of Administration or Certificate of Confirmation. 

 

Informant

The person who tells YBS that someone has died but doesn't have the legal documents or authorisation to manage their estate yet. 

 

Land Registry

The Land Registry is a government department. They're responsible for maintaining a database which shows who owns land and property in England and Wales.

 

In Scotland it's known as Registers of Scotland. In Northern Ireland, it's known as Land Registers of Northern Ireland. 

 

Letters of Administration

A formal document you need if someone dies without a will. It lets someone manage the estate of the person who has died.

 

Personal Representative(s)

A person who's allowed to apply for a Grant of Representation and manage the estate of someone who has died. 

If there's a savings account to close

Once we’ve seen the death certificate, you'll be asked to fill in one of the forms below to close the account.

For balances under £50,000 you'll need to complete this form.

For balances over £50,000 you'll need to complete this form and include a copy of the grant of representation.