Citibank doesn’t readily list step-by-step instructions when you want to close an account online. And that doesn’t make things easy when you want to make one phone call and be done with it, especially if you’re closing an account for a deceased loved one.
Jump ahead to these sections:
- How to Close a Deceased Loved One’s Citibank Account Online
- How to Close Your Own Citibank Account Online
Thankfully, we here at cake have done the research for you. To bring you step-by-step instructions, we sifted through some online resources on how to close a Citibank account, so you don’t have to. We’ve also included some tips to help you manage additional executor duties. Let’s jump in.
Tip: The other aspects of handling a loved one's unfinished business can be overwhelming without a way to organize your process. We have a post-loss checklist that will help you ensure that your loved one's family, estate, and other affairs are taken care of.
How to Close a Deceased Loved One’s Citibank Account Online
The best way to begin closing a deceased loved one’s account with Citibank is to start with a phone call to customer service. Afterward, you can manage correspondences with them via online support. The steps below will help you know what to expect.
Step 1: Find account numbers/information
Before you’re ready to chat with customer service, you’ll need to gather your deceased loved one’s account documentation. Be prepared to verify any of the following:
- Social Security Number or Tax ID
- Mailing address
- Date of birth
- Date of passing
- Marital status
- Spousal information
- Your identity
Step 2: Contact customer service
With your loved one’s account information and your identity in hand, customer service can better assist you. They’ll let you know what documentation is required to cancel your loved one’s account. Here’s who to call:
- Online Banking Support: 1-800-374-9700 or TTY/TDD: 1-877-693-0372
- General Support Credit Card Services: 1-800-950-5114 or TTY/TDD: 1-800-325-2865
Step 3: Provide Citibank with requested legal documents
Most financial institutions, including Citibank, will ask the trustee, executor, or administrator of the estate to provide legal documentation of your loved one’s death as well as your relationship with them. Citibank may ask you to provide one or more of the following documents:
- Your identification, such as a passport or driver’s license.
- A form of Notarized Written Request to close the account from the trustee, executor, or administrator of the estate.
- Documentation appointing an Executor or Administrator for the Estate, such as a Short Certificate. This certificate includes the decedent’s name and their chosen Executor of the Estate, giving them authority over the estate or trust.
- A Small Estate Affidavit if your loved one’s estate was too small to require probate court.
- An original or certified copy of the Death Certificate. You may request originals from the funeral home at the time of death or from the Public Health Department from the county wherein your loved one last resided.
- If there was a will, contact the Office of the Register of Wills inside the courthouse to obtain additional certified copies of the Death Certificate.
- If there wasn’t a will, the family could elect an Administrator of the Estate using Testamentary Letters or Letters of Administration.
Be aware: rules governing estates vary from state to state, so what may apply near you may not be applicable where your loved one lived.
Once you’ve provided Citibank with the proper documents proving your role as executor of the estate, they will work with you to close the account.
Right of survivorship
A Right of Survivorship means that the survivor listed on the account has the right to control the account and any available balance. If this is the case, identify who this person is and work with them to close the account.
Step 4: Send and receive documentation of your final transactions
Maintaining dated and signed documentation of your final transactions on company letterhead will verify Citibank buttoned up their side of the responsibilities. Plus, it leaves a paper trail just in case there’s a mishap or question down the road.
You can send your signed request to:
Citibank Customer Service
P.O. Box 6500
Sioux Falls, SD 57117
More questions about executorship?
Here are a few common questions answered about executorship.
How do I manage any personal loans?
If your loved one had any personal loans, it’s the Probate Attorney’s job to help settle any financial obligations against their estate.
Who else do you need to contact?
While Citigroup Inc. states that neither they nor their affiliates provide tax or legal advice, you may be scouring desk drawers and safe deposit boxes for information leading to the following points of contact:
- Social Security Administration
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
- Probate attorney
- Cancel additional credit cards
- Certified Public Accountant
- Insurance agent
- Financial advisor
Managing accounts for deceased loved ones is stressful, but the people, businesses, and organizations listed above are well-versed in death and finances. As executor, you may not need to touch base with everyone on the list, but links should help, just in case.
What is and how can I manage my loved one’s digital afterlife?
A digital afterlife refers to the information and documentation of accounts still available even after someone’s death.
One of the first things you can do to manage that data is to cancel all postal mail through your local post office. That way, you can stop physically recurring paper trails left at the mailbox.
Afterward, you can ask Citibank and your attorney for helpful advice to prevent problems with potential scammers.
How to Close Your Own Citibank Account Online
If you have your own Citibank account and are looking to close it down, it’s never too early to clean up your finances. Follow the steps below for the fastest way to close your account with Citibank.
Step 1: Open a new account with another banking institution
To make the transactions more straightforward, you’ll want to open an account with another banking institution before you cancel your account with Citibank.
Step 2: Review, update, and set-up new online bill-pay
Transferring accounts from one bank to another is a great time to ensure your information is current and correct, especially for those accounts you rarely use.
Step 3: Update automatic payments
Contact the companies and retailers with which you have set-up automatic withdrawals. Transfer these to your new bank account to avoid late fees and interrupted service.
Step 4: Withdraw funds or write a check
If you are sure there’s no fee or debit scheduled on your account, you can withdraw any balances at an ATM or write a check from the bank account and then deposit it in a new one.
Otherwise, if you want to avoid overdraft fees from inadvertently missed auto-debits, you can maintain a small balance in the account until you’ve resolved all potential issues.
Pro-tip: failing to maintain a minimum balance may either result in fees or account closure, so make sure to follow through with Step 5 quickly.
Step 5: Connect with Citibank’s online customer service center
Citibank’s online customer service portal will let you send direct messages to Citibank’s customer service center to discuss closing your account.
You’ll find a link to that portal through your online account access page.
Step 6: Gather and detail documentation of your closing communication
As a final step in communicating with Citibank, you should:
- Send a letter to Citibank requesting cancelation.
- Request written verification on company letterhead that Citibank has closed the account.
Send a signed request to Citibank at:
Citibank Customer Service
P.O. Box 6500
Sioux Falls, SD 57117
Closing Citibank Accounts
Setting up a password manager ahead of time can help avoid stressful conversations with big banks during times of crisis. If you feel comfortable doing so, ask your loved one to set one up for those just-in-case scenarios.
Sources:
- American Wills and Estates. (2020). What is a Short Certificate and How Do I Get One? https://americanwillsandestates.com/blog/what-short-certificate-and-how-do-i-get-one
- Citibank. (2020). What to Do After a Loved One Dies: 3 Important Steps to Follow. https://online.citi.com/US/JRS/pands/detail.do?ID=what-to-do-after-a-loved-one-dies
- Nolo. (2014). Avoiding Probate: The Small Estate. https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/avoid-probate-small-estate-29629.html