What co-executors need to do before opening an estate checking account
You cannot open an estate checking account online without paperwork that proves you have legal authority to act. Banks require a certified copy of the death certificate, the will or court order naming you as executor, and often a Tax ID for the estate itself. Some banks let you start the process online but will ask you to mail or upload these documents before the account goes live. A few banks have no online option at all and require you to visit a branch in person.
The first step is getting an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS, even though the estate is not a business. This is a nine-digit number that acts like a Social Security number for the estate's bank account and tax filings. You can request one free online at irs.gov using Form SS-4, and the IRS usually issues it the same day. Write down the number immediately — you will need it for the bank.
If there are two or more co-executors, the bank will ask how you want the account structured. Most banks require all co-executors to sign checks and authorize withdrawals, meaning any one of you can act alone. Some banks offer a "joint authority" option where all signers must approve large transactions, but this is rare for estate accounts and slows down paying bills. Ask the bank what their default is before you open the account.
Key Takeaways
- You need a certified death certificate, the will or court order, and an EIN from the IRS before any bank will open an estate account.
- Most banks require you to upload or mail documents even if you start the application online, so the account is not truly instant.
- Co-executors should agree in advance on whether you want all signers to approve every transaction or whether any one of you can act alone.
- Estate accounts are separate from personal checking accounts and exist only to hold and distribute the deceased's money, not to mix it with your own funds.
Which banks offer online estate account opening
Large national banks like Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Citibank all allow you to start an estate account application online, but they differ in how much you can complete without visiting a branch. Chase and Bank of America let you upload documents through their website and may open the account within a few business days if everything is in order. Wells Fargo often requires at least one co-executor to visit a branch in person to verify identity and sign signature cards, even if you uploaded documents online.
Regional and online-only banks vary widely. Some credit unions have no online process for estate accounts at all and require you to apply in person. If the deceased already had an account at a specific bank, that bank may waive some requirements or move faster because they already have the death certificate on file. Call the bank's estate services line — most large banks have a dedicated phone number — and ask whether you can complete the entire process online or whether a branch visit is required.
Do not assume that because a bank offers online checking accounts for individuals, it offers the same for estates. Estate accounts are treated differently because they are temporary and require proof of authority. A bank that lets you open a personal account in five minutes may require a week and a branch visit for an estate account.
Documents you need to gather before applying
Collect these items before you contact any bank. A certified copy of the death certificate is non-negotiable — the bank will not accept a photocopy or a copy you printed from an online vital records database. Order certified copies from the county vital records office or the funeral home, which usually has them on hand. Order at least three copies because you will need them for the bank, the IRS, and possibly other creditors or institutions.
Next, you need proof that you are an executor. If the will has already gone through probate court, bring the court order naming you as executor (also called letters testamentary or letters of administration). If probate has not started yet, bring the original will or a certified copy. Some banks accept either; others require the court order specifically. Call the bank before you apply and ask which document they need.
You will also need the EIN letter from the IRS showing the nine-digit number assigned to the estate. This arrives by email or mail within hours or days of you submitting Form SS-4 online. If you have not requested an EIN yet, do that first — it is the fastest step and you cannot open the account without it.
Finally, bring government-issued photo ID for each co-executor. A driver's license or passport works. Some banks also ask for a recent utility bill or lease to confirm your current address, though this is less common for estate accounts than for personal accounts.
How to request an EIN for the estate
Go to irs.gov and search for "apply for an EIN online." You will fill out Form SS-4 in your web browser. The form asks for the estate's name (usually "Estate of [Deceased Person's Name]"), the date of death, and your name and Social Security number as the executor. You do not need to know the estate's total value or list its assets — the IRS only needs enough information to issue the number.
The IRS issues the EIN immediately after you submit the form online. Write it down and save the confirmation page. If you prefer to apply by mail or phone, those options exist but take longer — mail can take four weeks, and phone applications require calling during business hours. Online is fastest.
If you are applying as a co-executor, only one of you needs to request the EIN. The number belongs to the estate, not to you personally. Share it with your co-executors so you all have it when you contact the bank.
Steps to complete the online application
Start by visiting the bank's website and looking for "estate account," "probate account," or "fiduciary account" in the account types menu. If you cannot find it, call the bank's main number and ask for the estate services department — they can send you a link or tell you whether online application is available.
The online form will ask for the deceased's name, date of death, and the estate's EIN. It will ask whether you are the sole executor or one of multiple executors. Enter all co-executors' names and Social Security numbers if the form requires it. The bank will ask how you want the account titled — it should read something like "Estate of [Deceased Name], [Your Name] Executor" or "[Your Name], Executor of the Estate of [Deceased Name]."
After you submit the form, the bank will ask you to upload documents. Use a phone camera or scanner to photograph or scan the certified death certificate, the court order or will, and the EIN letter. Upload them through the bank's secure portal. Some banks also ask you to sign documents electronically using DocuSign or a similar service. Do not sign anything until you have read it carefully — some banks require all co-executors to sign electronically, while others only require one.
Once you upload everything, the bank will review the documents. This usually takes two to five business days. The bank may contact you by phone or email if anything is missing or unclear. If the bank approves the application, it will send you the account number and routing number by email or mail, and the account will be ready to use.
What happens if the bank requires a branch visit
If the bank tells you that at least one co-executor must visit a branch in person, schedule an appointment rather than walking in. Estate accounts are not high-volume, and the bank may not have someone available to help without an appointment. When you go, bring the original certified death certificate, the court order or will, your government ID, and the EIN letter. Bring all co-executors if possible, because the bank may ask all of you to sign signature cards in person.
At the branch, the banker will verify that the documents are authentic and that you are who you say you are. They will ask you to sign a signature card showing how checks and withdrawals will be authorized. If you and your co-executor both need to sign every check, the bank will note that on the card. If either of you can sign alone, that will be noted too. The banker will also explain the bank's rules for estate accounts — for example, some banks require you to close the account within a certain number of years after the estate is settled.
The account usually opens the same day or within one business day after your branch visit. The bank will mail you checks and a debit card, or you can ask them to waive the debit card if you only plan to write checks and make transfers.
How to manage the account once it is open
An estate checking account works like a personal checking account, except that all deposits must come from the deceased's assets and all withdrawals must be for estate expenses or distributions to heirs. Do not deposit your own money into the account, and do not use it to pay personal bills. The IRS and probate court expect to see a clear record of what money came in and what went out.
Keep every receipt and bank statement. When you pay a creditor, a funeral home, or an heir, write down the date, amount, and reason for the payment. At the end of the estate settlement, you will need to show the probate court (or the heirs, if there is no probate) a complete accounting of all transactions. Banks provide statements online and by mail, but your own records are equally important.
If you and your co-executor disagree about a withdrawal, the bank's signature requirement protects you both. If the account requires both signatures, neither of you can act without the other's consent. If the account allows either of you to sign alone, talk to your co-executor before making large withdrawals so you stay aligned.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I open an estate account if the will has not gone through probate yet?
Some banks will open an account with just the will and death certificate, but most require a court order from probate. If probate has not started, you may need to file it first. Call the bank and ask what they accept before you spend time on probate paperwork — a few banks are flexible, but most are not.
What if the deceased had a will but no probate is needed because the estate is small?
Banks still require proof of authority. If your state allows small estates to skip probate, ask the bank whether they accept an affidavit of small succession or a similar document instead of a court order. Some do; others do not. Check with the bank first.
Do I need a separate account if there are multiple co-executors?
No. One estate account can have multiple co-executors as signers. The bank will set up the account so that either all of you must sign every check, or any one of you can sign alone — you choose which rule you want when you open the account.
How long can I keep the estate account open?
Most banks require you to close the account within three to five years after the estate is settled, though some have no time limit. Ask the bank about their policy when you open the account. Once all debts are paid and heirs have received their distributions, close the account and return any remaining balance to the heirs or donate it if the will directs you to do so.
What if the bank denies my application?
Banks rarely deny estate accounts if your documents are in order, but if one does, ask why. Common reasons are missing documents, a signature mismatch, or a concern about the will's authenticity. Fix the problem and try again, or contact a different bank. You have the right to bank at any institution that will have you.