How to close a deceased person's Google account

Google handles closing a deceased person's account through an online form. The steps below are Google'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

The provider will tell you which documents it needs when you contact it.

Steps

1. Check whether the deceased set up Inactive Account Manager — it lets a user designate up to 10 people to receive chosen account data (or be notified) after a set period of inactivity, so no request may be needed.
2. Otherwise open Google's "Submit a request regarding a deceased user's account" page and choose: close the account, request funds from the account, or obtain data from the account.
3. Google can work with immediate family members and representatives to close an account where appropriate, and in certain circumstances may provide content; every decision follows a careful review.
4. If you choose to close the account, Google cannot later release its contents — submit any data request first and wait for it to complete before submitting a closure request.

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 Google (incl. Gmail, Inactive Account Manager)

• Google's official page for deceased accounts

If Google Inactive Account Manager was set up

Google offers Google Inactive Account Manager, which lets an account holder designate someone in advance. If the deceased set it up and named you, you may have a faster path through that feature than through the general process above — check for it before starting a request.

Typical timeline

Google does not publish a typical timeline for this process.

Notes

Google never provides passwords or other login details. Google reserves the right to delete an account inactive for at least two years.

Sources

• https://support.google.com/accounts/troubleshooter/6357590
• https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/3036546

Last reviewed September 14, 2026 · Links verified September 14, 2026

Related guides

• Close a deceased person's account, provider by provider
• Accessing a deceased person's email account

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.

See how HeirLoft helps you leave a list for your family