Notifying Royal Bank of Scotland of a Death
0800 161 5904Everything you need to notify Royal Bank of Scotland after a bereavement, including the dedicated phone number, required documents, and how long the process takes.
Bereavement Phone
Mon-Fri 9am-5pm (excl. bank holidays)
International: +44 (0)1204 684 659
Online Form
Typical Timeline
Same process as NatWest Group. Condolence letter with BER reference issued.
How to notify Royal Bank of Scotland
Online: Use the digital bereavement notification service (quickest)
Phone: Call 0800 161 5904
Branch: Visit any RBS, NatWest, or Ulster Bank branch
Death Notification Service
Documents you will need
- Death certificate
- Will or Codicil
- Grant of Representation / Certificate of Confirmation
- Completed Account Closure Form
Joint vs sole accounts
Joint accounts
Joint accounts updated to surviving account holder's name.
Sole accounts
Sole accounts protected immediately upon notification.
What to say when you call
You do not need to prepare a detailed explanation. A brief, straightforward call is all that is needed. Here is a simple script you can follow:
"Hello, I am calling to notify you of a death. The account holder was [full name], and the date of death was [date]."
"I am their [relationship, e.g. son/daughter/executor]. My reference number from the death registration is [Tell Us Once reference number, if you have one]."
"Could you let me know what documents you need and what the next steps are?"
The bereavement team will guide you through the rest of the call. Have the death certificate, your photo ID, and any account details to hand before calling.
Additional information
- Part of NatWest Group
- Same process and forms as NatWest
Frequently asked questions
How do I notify Royal Bank of Scotland of a death?
You can notify Royal Bank of Scotland by calling their bereavement team on 0800 161 5904, or by completing their online bereavement form. Have the death certificate and your identification ready before you make contact.
What documents does Royal Bank of Scotland need for bereavement?
Royal Bank of Scotland typically requires: Death certificate, Will or Codicil, Grant of Representation / Certificate of Confirmation, Completed Account Closure Form. It is a good idea to have certified copies of the death certificate ready, as originals may be retained temporarily.
How long does Royal Bank of Scotland take to process a bereavement?
Same process as NatWest Group. Condolence letter with BER reference issued.
Can I access a Royal Bank of Scotland account without probate?
Whether you can access a Royal Bank of Scotland account without probate depends on the balance and account type. Contact their bereavement team to discuss your specific circumstances, as they may be able to release small balances without a grant.
What happens to a joint Royal Bank of Scotland account when someone dies?
Joint accounts updated to surviving account holder's name.
Need to write to Royal Bank of Scotland?
Use our ready-made template letters to notify banks, utilities, and other organisations. Just fill in the details and send.
View Template Letters