How to close a deceased person's AT&T account
AT&T handles closing a deceased person's account through by phone, or in person. The steps below are AT&T's own published process, taken from its official support pages — this page organizes them so you can see what the provider asks for; it doesn't add to them or recommend any particular action.
What you'll need
- Certified copy of the death certificate
- The account number, email, or phone number on the account
Steps
- Choose between transferring billing responsibility (keeps the lines active on another AT&T account — the account can't stay under the deceased's name/SSN except for Oklahoma billing addresses), cancelling the account, or moving the numbers to another provider.
- Choose CHAT when available or call 800.331.0500. If you don't know the account passcode, AT&T may still help but you may need to visit an AT&T retail store to verify the account.
- Have ready: the account number and mobile number; the account holder's name, your relationship and your email; the last four digits of the account holder's SSN; and one of an accident report, death certificate or obituary for the account holder.
- AT&T charges no early-termination or cancellation fees for the deceased's line. Devices on an installment plan must be returned; once received, remaining unbilled installment charges are waived (to keep a device, pay off the plan first). Any past-due balance must be paid before a line can be transferred.
Closing one account is only part of the job — every recurring charge still draws on a card or bank account the estate will eventually claim. HeirLoft reads the recurring charges straight out of an inbox in one pass, so you can see everything that's still billing while you work down the list.
Surface every recurring charge in one place
How to contact AT&T
- AT&T's official page for deceased accounts
- Phone: 800.331.0500
Typical timeline
AT&T does not publish a typical timeline for this process.
Notes
Any outstanding balance on the cancelled account may be the responsibility of the estate.
Sources
Last reviewed September 14, 2026 · Links verified September 14, 2026
Related guides
The simplest way to spare your own family this process is to keep an up-to-date list of your accounts somewhere they can find it. HeirLoft finds the recurring charges you've forgotten and keeps them in one place your heirs can actually use.