Closing a bank account abroad after someone has died can be difficult, especially when the family is dealing with grief, estate paperwork and a foreign bank’s compliance requirements at the same time.
If the deceased person held an overseas bank account, the bank will usually ask for documents proving the death, confirming who has authority to act and showing the relationship between the person making the request and the account holder.
Death certificate
A death certificate is usually the first document requested by the foreign bank.
For overseas use, this should normally be an original certificate or an official certified copy issued by the correct UK registration authority, such as the General Register Office, a local register office, National Records of Scotland or GRONI.
A scan, photocopy or emailed copy is unlikely to be accepted for formal bank closure procedures.
Grant of Probate
If there is a will and executors have been appointed, the foreign bank may ask for a Grant of Probate.
This document confirms that the executor has legal authority to administer the estate and deal with assets, including bank accounts.
For overseas use, the bank may require an official court-sealed copy or a solicitor-certified copy before legalisation.
Letters of Administration
If there is no valid will, or if the named executors cannot act, the bank may ask for Letters of Administration.
This document confirms who has authority to administer the estate.
As with a Grant of Probate, the document may need to be prepared in a specific format before the foreign bank will accept it.
Proof of identity for the executor or administrator
The bank will normally need to identify the person dealing with the account.
This may include a passport copy, proof of address, bank forms or other identity documents for the executor, administrator or next of kin.
Passport copies and proof of address documents often need solicitor or notary certification before they can be legalised for overseas use.
Documents proving family relationship
Some banks ask for evidence showing the relationship between the person making the request and the deceased account holder.
This can include birth certificates, marriage certificates, adoption certificates, deed polls or other name change documents.
These records may need legalisation and translation before the bank accepts them.
Bank forms and authority documents
The foreign bank may provide its own closure forms, indemnity forms, transfer instructions or authority documents.
If these forms need to be signed in the UK, they may need to be witnessed, certified or notarised before legalisation.
Check whether the bank specifically asks for a Notary Public, as solicitor certification may not always be accepted.
Translation requirements
If the bank does not accept documents in English, certified or sworn translation may be required.
The order should be checked before arranging translation. In many cases, the UK document is legalised first and translated afterwards so the translation includes the legalisation certificate.
Some banks may also require the translation itself to be certified or legalised separately.
Embassy attestation for some countries
For countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention, UK legalisation is often the final authentication step.
For countries outside the Convention, embassy or consular attestation may also be required before the bank accepts the documents.
This should be confirmed early, as bank closures and fund releases can be delayed if the document chain is incomplete.
Check the bank’s requirements in writing
Before preparing documents, ask the foreign bank for a written checklist.
Confirm which documents are required, whether originals or certified copies are accepted, whether notarisation is needed, and whether legalisation, translation or embassy attestation applies.
If you need to close a foreign bank account after bereavement, 12 Apostille can review the bank’s requirements, confirm the correct route and help prepare UK documents for overseas submission.