How to Notify Banks of a Death in Canada — Big 5 Process Overview

The Big 5 Canadian banks — RBC, TD, BMO, Scotiabank, and CIBC — together hold the majority of Canadian personal deposit accounts. After a death, the executor will likely need to deal with at least one of them, and often several. Each bank has its own forms and internal processes, but the underlying structure is similar across all of them. This guide walks through the typical flow and what to expect at each institution.

Important caveat: Bank processes and forms change. Specific contact numbers, exact thresholds for "release on indemnity," and specific document requirements may differ from what's described here. Always confirm with the bank's current estate department before relying on any specific procedural detail.

The underlying flow at every bank #

Regardless of which Big 5 bank you're dealing with, the underlying steps are:

1. Initial contact — call the bank's general line and ask to be transferred to estate services or estate settlement
2. First interview — provide preliminary information about the deceased; the bank flags the accounts and begins the file
3. Document submission — provide certified death certificate, will, executor identification, and the bank's estate forms
4. Account review — the bank produces a statement of all accounts the deceased held
5. Small-balance release (if applicable) — accounts below the bank's threshold released on indemnity
6. Probate stage — for larger accounts, you produce sealed probate grant and bank releases funds
7. Estate account opening — typically opened at the same bank to consolidate released funds
8. Account closures — original accounts closed once all transfers complete

Direct contact — start with estate services #

Every Big 5 bank has a dedicated estate or settlement team. They handle these situations professionally and daily; branch staff often do not. When you call:

• Identify yourself, your role (executor), and that you are reporting a death
• Provide the deceased's full name, date of birth, and date of death
• Ask to be connected to or routed to the bank's estate services team
• Ask for the dedicated estate phone line for future calls

Each bank's specific estate contact information is published on their website under "estate settlement," "when someone passes away," or similar headings — for example, RBC^[2], TD^[3], and BMO^[4] each publish a page along these lines. The exact URLs and phone numbers change, so search the bank's current website for the most accurate contact.

What to bring to the first appointment #

For the in-person verification (which most banks still require at least once):

• Certified death certificate (original, not photocopy)
• Original signed will (showing you named as executor)
• Government-issued photo ID
• The bank's completed estate notification forms (typically provided by the estate team before the appointment)
• The deceased's bank cards and chequebooks if available
• A list of any known recurring payments coming out of accounts

The bank will photocopy the death certificate and will (and return your originals). You'll sign indemnity forms and the bank will begin the file.

What "small-balance release" means #

Each bank sets its own internal threshold below which accounts can be released to the executor without requiring a sealed probate grant. The threshold typically ranges between $25,000 and $50,000 but is bank-specific and changes over time.

The release is conditional on you signing an indemnity — a statement that you are the lawful executor, that you accept responsibility for proper distribution, and that you indemnify the bank against later claims. The bank still wants to see the will and your identification, but does not wait for the probate court process.

Above the threshold, the bank will require a sealed probate grant (Certificate of Appointment of Estate Trustee in Ontario, Grant of Probate in BC, etc.).

Brokerage accounts within bank groups #

Each Big 5 bank operates a brokerage arm (RBC Direct Investing, TD Direct Investing, BMO InvestorLine, Scotia iTrade, CIBC Investor's Edge). These are typically separate legal entities from the banking arm, and the bank's estate team will refer you to the brokerage's estate process for those accounts.

Brokerage accounts almost always require sealed probate (no small-balance shortcut for investment accounts). The brokerage process is typically slower than the bank deposit process — 4 to 12 weeks is common.

Joint accounts move fastest — with one wrinkle #

Accounts held jointly with right of survivorship generally pass to the surviving holder once a death certificate is presented, without probate. The one nuance worth flagging: a joint account between a parent and an adult child can, depending on the facts, be treated as held in trust for the estate rather than as a true joint gift — see the FAQ below on the Pecore presumption.^[1]

Common pitfalls #

Calling the wrong number. Branch staff often give incomplete or incorrect information. Always ask to be routed to estate services.

Bringing only photocopies. Most banks require original certified death certificates. Order extras in advance.

Trying to use the deceased's online banking after death. This is technically unauthorized access and can complicate the executor relationship with the bank. Stop using the deceased's accounts the moment you know about the death.

Not asking for the full account list. Many estates have accounts the executor didn't know about. The bank can produce a complete list once your authority is established.

Missing the credit card. Bank-issued credit cards may be a separate department even within the same institution. Ask specifically about all credit products.

What about credit unions and smaller banks? #

Smaller banks (Tangerine, EQ Bank, Manulife Bank, etc.) handle estates largely by mail and phone — they generally don't have branches for in-person verification, so the process is more documentation-intensive but often faster once forms are submitted.

What we focus on at It's Simple Will #

The Life Discovery Kit captures all of the deceased's banking relationships in one private document — so the executor knows exactly which institutions to contact, what cards exist, and where to find supporting documentation. Without it, families often spend months piecing together a financial picture that should have been documented in advance.

See our companion guides: handling a loved one's finances after death, credit card accounts after death, investment accounts at the Big 5 brokerages, and our complete probate guide.