How to access a deceased person's Coinbase account
The executor submits Coinbase's deceased-customer request with probate documents, and Coinbase reviews the packet before disbursing the account to the estate. A court order is required; a death certificate alone is not enough. Reviews typically take 30 to 90 days.
- Timeline: 30 to 90 days (Coinbase, 2026)
- Court order needed: yes
- Documents: Death certificate, Government-issued photo ID, Court order naming the representative, Letter of instruction
How do you access a deceased person's Coinbase account?
- Open a support case through Coinbase's deceased-customer request form.
- Submit the death certificate and your government-issued ID.
- Submit the court order, letters testamentary, or a qualifying small-estate affidavit naming you as the representative.
- Include a letter of instruction stating whether to transfer or liquidate the funds.
- Coinbase compliance reviews the packet and responds by email.
What documents does Coinbase require?
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Death certificate | Certified copy; certified translation if not in English. |
| Government-issued photo ID | Of the requesting executor or administrator. |
| Court order naming the representative | Letters testamentary or letters of administration. |
| Letter of instruction | States the requested disposition of the funds. |
How long does it take, and what does it cost?
The executor submits Coinbase's deceased-customer request with probate documents, and Coinbase reviews the packet before disbursing the account to the estate. A court order is required; a death certificate alone is not enough. Reviews typically take 30 to 90 days. There is no process fee. Unlike a bank, Coinbase holds assets that vanish permanently if the seed or the account is lost, so the executor's first job is confirming the funds are on Coinbase at all and not in a self-custody wallet no document can open.
Coinbase will not act on a death certificate alone. It requires a court order or a qualifying small-estate affidavit in every case.