Any person can report the death of a client. We need a medical death certificate, an official death certificate or the official certification of death.
We will register the client's death in our records and block the client relationship.
When a client dies, their legal successors (heirs) take their place. To determine the heirs entitled to dispose of the assets, UBS requires the certificate of inheritance. To protect the interests of heirs, UBS can restrict transactions to the relationships of the testator.
In principle, heirs are entitled to information. To verify the right to information, a certificate of inheritance (see also "Documents required for client death arrangements"), or an information certificate for heirs is required.
In addition to heirs, executors, administrators, representatives of heirs and liquidators of estates also receive information, provided they have legitimized themselves with an official document.
Executors of wills and liquidators of estates have a right of disposal, provided they have legitimized themselves by means of an official document.
Furthermore, authorized representatives with a general UBS power of attorney also receive information, provided this power of attorney was active on the date of death. To protect the interests of the heirs or the community of heirs, the rights of disposal of persons authorized during the lifetime of the client by means of a general UBS power of attorney can be restricted.
The certificates as at date of death required in connection with a client's death can be ordered through your client advisor at the branch.
The form below can be used to order them. Please note that statements of assets (where there is a custody account with holdings) are subject to a fee and all other certificates are issued free of charge. Certificates are always sent to the correspondence address on file with us and are usually issued within five bank working days.
The following documents are usually required to process a client's death:
- Certified or original certificate of inheritance
- All heirs must prove their identity with an official identity card, ID or passport. Copies of identification documents can be made free of charge in all UBS branch offices in Switzerland.
- For executors: official executor's identity card or official executor's certificate.
Note: Special cases must be taken up with the client advisor in your branch office.
According to the basic document, in particular the declaration on the "Conditions for a joint business relationship with joint and several liability of owners", the surviving contractual partner can, as a rule, continue to dispose individually and without restriction of the assets in a joint business relationship (and/or relationship).
In this case, the remaining heirs receive information about the assets until the date of death, but are not entitled to dispose of them.
Note: This rule does not apply to collective accounts (and relationships), which are blocked in the event of a client death.
In the event of client deaths abroad, please contact the relevant client advisor or the nearest branch office.
We will register the client's death in our records and block the customer relationship.
