How to close a deceased person's Vanguard account
Vanguard handles closing a deceased person's account through an online form, or by phone. The steps below are Vanguard'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
- Letters testamentary or letters of administration (or a small-estate affidavit where eligible)
Steps
- To complete the inheritance transfer online you must be a named beneficiary (by name or relationship) or the executor/administrator of the estate. Otherwise, or to say you won't be claiming assets, call 877-662-7447 (M–F, 8 a.m.–8 p.m. EST) and mention "change of ownership".
- Gather the decedent's Social Security number, date of birth and date of passing; a copy of the death certificate (needed if Vanguard can't verify the death itself); and estate documents if applicable. Check with other beneficiaries so everyone claims.
- Log in (or register with Vanguard), provide information about the person who passed away, upload supporting documents, and choose where the inherited assets should go.
- Vanguard freezes the decedent's account to protect it from unauthorized activity, processes the request, and notifies you when the transfer is complete.
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 Vanguard
- Vanguard's official page for deceased accounts
- Phone: 877-662-7447
Typical timeline
Vanguard does not publish a typical timeline for this process.
Notes
Anyone inheriting an IRA will generally be required to take a required minimum distribution.
Sources
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 financial accounts
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.