You should contact the Probate Clerk's office where you qualified for specific instructions. To close a bank account on behalf of someone who has passed away, you must have legal authority to manage the account.Provide the name of the person who died and the date of the death. Online: Use our online form to notify us about a customer's death. We'll need a photocopy of the death certificate to verify the identity and legal residence of your loved one as well as confirm date of death. Often you can get them from the local Department of Health office in the county where the death occurred, or from the Washington State Department of Health. Often you can get them from the local Department of Health office in the county where the death occurred, or from the Washington State Department of Health. Surviving beneficiary will receive any money left in the account upon proof of the owner's death. Probate Information or Memorandum of Facts. Non-VA derived funds may be withdrawn in the event the balance of VA benefits in an account is exhausted.