How Do I Notify Equifax of Death?

Yes - you may notify Equifax of a death as long as you can supply acceptable proof, typically a certified death certificate. The report is submitted through the Equifax death reporting page.

Equifax will place a 'Deceased' flag after verifying the document, regardless of your relationship to the decedent. Legal authority such as executor status is needed only if you want to make additional changes to the credit file; otherwise anyone with the certificate can report. For guidance on alternative documents, see the next section 'no death certificate? alternative evidence you can use'.

Gather the death certificate, proof you're authorized to act, and personal ID before you call Equifax's death‑reporting line.

• Certified or original death certificate (or state‑issued copy)
• Court‑issued letters testamentary, letters of administration, or a notarized statement of authority (executor, administrator, or POA)
• Your government‑issued photo ID (driver's license, passport)
• Social Security number of the deceased (to match the file)
• If you're not the executor, a copy of the will and a court order confirming your authority

For detailed guidance on acceptable death‑certificate formats, see Social Security Administration's death‑certificate requirements.

Call Equifax's dedicated death‑reporting line at 1‑800‑525‑6285 to start the notification process.

1. Verify you are an authorized representative (executor, power‑of‑attorney, or next‑of‑kin).
2. Gather the required documents: the deceased's Social Security number, a certified death certificate, and a photo ID for yourself.
3. Dial the number and tell the agent you wish to 'report a death.'
4. Provide the deceased's full name, date of birth, Social Security number, and date of death.
5. State your relationship and reference the documents you have on hand; the agent may request the certificate number or a scanned copy later.
6. Ask the representative to confirm that the file will be marked 'Deceased' and request a case or reference number for your records.
7. Request a written confirmation (email or mailed letter) that Equifax has received the notice and is updating the credit file.

For further details, see Equifax's death‑reporting guide.

Mail Equifax a death notice by sending a certified letter with the required proof to the address they publish for death reporting.

• Include a brief cover letter stating you are the authorized representative and request that the deceased credit file be marked, using the exact wording recommended in the sample letter (see the 'sample short death notification letter' section).
• Attach a clear copy of the death certificate and, if you are not the executor, a notarized proof of authority (refer to the 'prove authority when you're not the executor' section).
• Address the envelope to Equifax's dedicated death‑reporting office: Equifax Death Notice Department, P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374.
• Send the package via certified mail with return receipt; keep the receipt and receipt number for your records.
• Mail the notice promptly after gathering documents; Equifax typically updates the deceased file within 30‑45 days of receiving the certified letter.
• If you prefer a faster route, consider the online reporting option described later in the article.

Equifax lets an authorized representative notify a deceased credit file entirely online via its Deceased Consumer Reporting portal. Visit the Equifax online death reporting page, select 'Report a Death,' and create a free account if you don't already have one.

After logging in, fill out the short form with the decedent's name, Social Security number, and date of death, then upload a clear copy of the death certificate and a photo ID for the authorized representative. The system validates the documents, tags the file as 'deceased,' and sends a confirmation email. With the online method completed, you can move on to the sample short death notification letter section for any additional follow‑up letters you may need to send to lenders.

A short death notification letter is a concise, formal note you send to Equifax to tell them the consumer has died and to request that the deceased credit file be marked accordingly. It should include the deceased's full name, Social Security number, date of death, your relationship, and a clear statement that you are an authorized representative.

Sample letter

[Your Name]

[Your Address]

[City, State ZIP]

[Phone]

[Email]

[Date]

Equifax Consumer Services

P.O. Box 740256

Atlanta, GA 30374

Re: Notification of death - [Deceased's Full Name], SSN: XXX‑XX‑XXXX, DOB: MM/DD/YYYY, DOD: MM/DD/YYYY

To whom it may concern,

I am writing as the authorized representative of the estate of [Deceased's Full Name] to notify Equifax of his/her death. Please mark the credit file as 'deceased' and cease any further credit activity. Enclosed are a certified copy of the death certificate and proof of my authority (court appointment or POA).

If you need additional information, contact me at the phone number or email listed above.

Thank you for your prompt attention.

Sincerely,

[Signature]

[Printed Name]

[Title, e.g., Executor or Personal Representative]

Use the format above when you mail Equifax (see the 'mail Equifax a death notice' section) and attach the required documents gathered earlier. When you finish, proceed to the next step on how Equifax updates the deceased file.

Equifax marks the file as 'deceased' and removes or restricts certain data once it receives a valid death notification.

• 'Deceased' notation added to the consumer report
• All open accounts changed to 'Closed - deceased' with a death‑related note
• Credit score (FICO) suppressed from consumer‑facing copies
• Social Security number, date of birth, and other personal identifiers hidden from public view
• New activity and inquiries after the death date blocked from reporting
• Public records (bankruptcies, liens, judgments) retained but flagged as belonging to a deceased individual

These updates happen right after Equifax processes the death notice, setting the stage for the timing details discussed next.

Equifax usually updates a deceased credit file within 30 days of receiving a complete death notice, and it can be as fast as 7‑10 business days when you submit the documents by phone or fax.

The speed depends on how you notify Equifax: a faxed death certificate and a signed authorization letter trigger the quickest response; mailed copies often add two weeks to the processing time, and missing or unclear information may cause further delays.

Once the file is marked 'Deceased,' the record shows a 'Deceased' indicator and stops generating new activity, allowing you to move on to the next step of preventing post‑death identity theft.

Preventing post‑death identity theft starts with acting fast after you've notified Equifax of death.

1. Confirm the deceased file is marked - Log in to the Equifax portal or call the death‑reporting line to verify the account shows 'Deceased' and that no new inquiries appear.
2. Place a security freeze - As the authorized representative, request an immediate freeze on the deceased's credit file; this stops creditors from opening new accounts.
3. Set up a fraud alert - If a freeze isn't possible right away, add a fraud alert that tells lenders to verify identity before any credit is extended.
4. Monitor the file - Sign up for a free credit‑monitoring service that alerts you to any activity on the deceased file; the Equifax 'Deceased File Alerts' option works well.
5. Secure physical documents - Collect and store the death certificate, will, and any power‑of‑attorney papers in a locked safe to prevent thieves from using them for synthetic‑identity scams.
6. Notify other bureaus - Replicate steps 2‑4 with Experian and TransUnion; a consistent approach across all three bureaus reduces loopholes.
7. Report suspicious activity promptly - If you spot unauthorized inquiries or accounts, file a report with Equifax's fraud department and, if needed, file an identity‑theft report with the FTC (Identity Theft Reporting Center).

These steps, taken right after you've completed the earlier sections on gathering documents and contacting Equifax, sharply lower the chance that fraudsters will exploit the deceased's credit.

When you are not the executor, you must show Equifax that a probate court has officially appointed you as the person authorized to act on the deceased's behalf. As noted in 'gather documents before you contact Equifax,' the agency only accepts court‑issued authority, not a power of attorney or an affidavit of heirship. Submit the following items together with the death certificate to prove you are an authorized representative:

• Letters of administration (for an administrator) or letters testamentary (for an executor) issued by the probate court in the state where the decedent lived
• A certified copy of the death certificate
• Your government‑issued photo ID to match the name on the court appointment
• If the court document lists multiple representatives, include a brief written statement indicating you are the one handling the credit file for Equifax

• Equifax will accept alternative proof when you cannot provide a death certificate.
• A signed, dated statement from the funeral director confirming the decedent's name, date of death, and burial details.
• A certified copy of the obituary that lists the full name, date of death, and location, especially if published in a reputable newspaper.
• Probate court documents, such as a letters testamentary or an order naming you as the authorized representative of the estate.
• A notarized affidavit accompanied by the decedent's government‑issued ID (driver's license, passport) stating the death and your authority to act on their behalf.