To close a bank account on behalf of someone who has passed away, you must have legal authority to manage the account. The bank will not allow you to close it unless you have a letter of authorization from the probate court.You'll just need the death certificate and your ID. The bank should close the account and make checks payable to the beneficiary. The first and foremost thing you must do to close a bank account upon the death of a loved one is to inform the bank of this death. If submitting online, you must provide your Social Security number for verification. Question: How Do I Close an Account If There's No Will? Notify Bank of America. We'll ask you for the deceased customer's full legal name and Social Security number to identify their accounts. Online: Use our online form to notify us about a customer's death. Though many news stories about Internet safety today focus on children and teens, the fact is that adults have several risks when they go online.