Last verified 2026-08-25; facts checked against the primary sources below

Discover Bank deceased account forms, phone number, and documents

Last verified: August 25, 2026

The short answer: Call Discover Bank's Beneficiary Care Team at 1-800-975-0162, Monday–Friday from 8 a.m.–8 p.m. ET. For a deposit account, Discover publishes a Deceased Customer Account Handling Steps document and Letter of Instruction. The standard packet includes a certified death certificate, disbursement instructions, identifying information, Form W-9, and authority documents when an estate, trust, beneficiary, or entity claims the funds.

Discover deceased-account forms at a glance

Discover now identifies itself in these forms as a division of Capital One, N.A. Use the current Discover forms page rather than relying on an old copy saved elsewhere.

What documents does Discover Bank request after a death?

For a deposit account, Discover's published handling steps list:

• A legible, certified copy of the death certificate. Discover says not to send the original because it cannot guarantee its return.
• A Letter of Instruction stating how the funds should be disbursed.
• The requester's legal name, SSN or TIN, date of birth, mother's maiden name, physical address, and phone number.
• A signed Form W-9 for each person or entity claiming funds.
• Additional authority documents based on the claimant and account ownership.

For a probate estate, Discover lists certified Letters of Office issued within the previous 12 months or a small-estate affidavit dated within the previous 12 months. It also requests a W-9 signed by the estate representative using the estate's EIN.

How do you complete Discover's Letter of Instruction?

The official form asks for the deceased customer's name and account number, the requester's identity and contact details, and written instructions for handling the funds. Discover says deposit funds can be disbursed by check or by internal transfer to a transactional Discover account.

Sign and date the instruction. If an entity such as a charity or business is requesting funds, follow the entity-specific requirements in Discover's handling steps, including letterhead and organizational records where applicable.

What happens to a Discover IRA after death?

Discover publishes separate IRA instructions. The beneficiary packet may include the death certificate, Letter of Instruction, W-9, an IRA Election of Payment form, or a transfer form from another institution. A spouse and nonspouse beneficiary can have different account and transfer choices.

Do not request an IRA payout solely to finish the estate paperwork quickly. Inherited retirement-account elections can have tax consequences; confirm the beneficiary's options before directing a distribution.

How should the documents be delivered?

Discover's forms page offers secure document upload and also publishes the current downloadable forms. Call Beneficiary Care if the packet is incomplete or the account includes several ownership types. Keep copies of everything submitted and record the case number and submission date.

Related account guides

• All account-after-death guides
• Capital One deceased accounts
• Ally Bank deceased accounts
• Synchrony deceased notification
• What happens to a 401(k) after death

Deposit accounts and IRAs use different forms. Confirm the current packet with Discover's Beneficiary Care Team before directing a transfer or distribution.