Bank Nominee or Deceased-Account Claim Delayed? Do This

Who this guide is for

This guide is written for anyone dealing with a delayed or stalled bank claim after the death of an account holder in India. You may be:

• A registered nominee whose name appears on the account opening form or passbook, and the bank is asking for documents it has no right to demand.
• A legal heir (spouse, child, parent, sibling) where no nomination was made, and you are trying to figure out what papers you actually need.
• A joint account holder where the other holder has passed away and the bank has frozen the account pending paperwork.
• A family dealing with accounts across multiple banks — savings, fixed deposits, recurring deposits — all requiring separate processes.
• Someone who submitted documents weeks ago and has heard nothing since.

The guide covers savings accounts, fixed deposits, recurring deposits, and safe deposit lockers at commercial and cooperative banks in India. Government small-savings schemes such as PPF and SCSS follow their own separate rules under the respective scheme guidelines and are not covered here.

A related but distinct question — whether you need a succession certificate or probate to distribute inherited assets among family members — is covered in our companion guide: Will, Probate, or Succession Certificate — Which Do You Need?

What you can do this weekend

Friday evening

Before you step into any branch, do two things at home. First, locate the account passbook, cheque book, or account statement for every account the deceased held. Write down the account numbers, the bank names, and the branch names. Second, check whether a nomination is recorded — the passbook or the account opening acknowledgement usually mentions it. If you are unsure, call the branch and ask specifically whether a nomination exists in your name. Do not assume.

Also pull together the death certificate. You will need the original for verification and at least two to four certified copies for different banks and other purposes. If you do not yet have a death certificate and are worried about delays in obtaining one, read our guide on what to do when a bank account is frozen while waiting for documents.

Saturday

Gather your complete document set (see the checklist below). Download or collect the bank's claim form — under the 2025 RBI Directions every bank must publish its standardised forms on its website and make them available at all branches. Fill the form completely before you go to the branch.

If there is no nomination and the amount is modest, also prepare an indemnity bond and a simple letter from any other legal heirs stating they have no objection to you receiving the funds. Many banks have their own formats for these — check the bank's website first.

Visit the branch in person with the complete set. Ask the staff to confirm on the spot whether any document is missing. Get a written acknowledgement with the date — this is very important because the 15-day clock starts from the date the bank receives your complete set.

Sunday

Use Sunday to prepare for the possibility of a delay. Note the name of the branch's Grievance Redressal Officer (this must be displayed at the branch and on the bank's website). Bookmark cms.rbi.org.in — the RBI's complaint portal. Write a short note in your own records: the date of submission, the acknowledgement number, and a reminder to follow up after 15 calendar days if you have not heard back.

If you are dealing with a PSU bank (government-owned bank like SBI, Bank of Baroda, or Punjab National Bank), also note the CPGRAMS link at pgportal.gov.in as a parallel escalation channel.

Documents and evidence checklist

Threshold figures (as of the 2025 RBI Directions): Rs 15 lakh for commercial banks (or higher if the bank decides); Rs 5 lakh for cooperative banks. Banks may set a higher threshold at their own discretion — check your bank's policy on its website.

Death abroad: If the account holder died outside India, banks must accept a death certificate that is apostilled, consularised, or certified by the relevant Indian authority (e.g., the Indian Mission or Consulate). The same 15-day rule and document rules apply.

Fixed and recurring deposits: Premature closure is permitted on a deceased depositor's FD without penalty. You do not pay any premature withdrawal charge as a nominee or legal heir.

Step-by-step action plan

Step 1: Identify your route — nominee or legal heir

Call or visit the branch and ask specifically: "Is there a registered nomination on this account?" The answer to this single question changes everything about the documents you need. If you are the nominee, your path is fast and simple. If there is no nomination, you are on the legal-heir route, which depends on the balance size.

For joint accounts with a survivorship clause ("either or survivor"), the surviving account holder can continue operating the account by submitting the death certificate and the bank's request form. No claim process is needed.

Step 2: Collect the death certificate

The death certificate issued by the municipal authority, the gram panchayat, or the Registrar of Births and Deaths is the foundational document for every route. Obtain the original and keep multiple certified copies. Most banks will take a certified copy and verify the original at the counter.

If the death certificate is delayed, you can still visit the branch, explain the situation, and ask for a written acknowledgement that your claim is pending only because of the certificate. This protects you if anyone later claims you were slow to act.

Step 3: Download or collect the bank's claim form

The 2025 RBI Directions require every bank to publish standardised claim forms on its website and make them available at every branch. Search the bank's website for "deceased claim form" or "settlement of deceased account." Fill the form in full — incomplete forms are a common cause of delays, and a bank can return an incomplete form without the 15-day clock starting.

Step 4: Prepare and attach the supporting documents

If you are the nominee: You need only the claim form, the death certificate, and your own Aadhaar/PAN or equivalent ID. The bank cannot ask for anything else. If a staff member asks for a succession certificate or an indemnity bond, politely refer them to the RBI (Settlement of Claims in respect of Deceased Customers of Banks) Directions, 2025 — Notification No. RBI/2025-26/82.

If there is no nomination and the balance is below the threshold: In addition to the claim form, death certificate, and your ID, you will need an indemnity bond, a no-objection letter from any other legal heirs, and a legal heir certificate or an affidavit from an independent person confirming the heirship. The bank cannot demand a surety from a third party for claims within this threshold.

If the balance is above the threshold and there is no nomination: You will typically need a succession certificate issued by a civil court, or a probate of the will if the deceased left one, or an equivalent court order. This takes time and may require the assistance of a lawyer. Our companion guide on how to apply for a succession certificate walks through this process in detail.

Step 5: Submit at the branch and get a written acknowledgement

You may submit your claim at any branch of the bank — the 2025 Directions specifically state that claims can be lodged at any branch, not only the home branch where the account was opened. This is especially helpful if you live far from the original branch.

Before leaving the counter, ensure you have a written acknowledgement that includes: the date of submission, the documents submitted, and a reference or acknowledgement number. If the staff refuses to give written acknowledgement, send the documents by registered post with acknowledgement due (RPAD) to the branch. This gives you a date of receipt that is legally defensible.

Step 6: Track and follow up after 15 days

The 15-calendar-day clock begins the day the bank receives your complete set of documents. If you have not received the settlement or a written communication within 15 days, write a brief formal letter to the Branch Manager on Day 16 (see the complaint template below). Cite the 15-day obligation and ask for compensation at Bank Rate plus 4% per annum for the delay.

If the delay is because the bank says a document is missing, ask them to state in writing exactly which document they are asking for and on what basis. This prevents banks from shifting goalposts — asking for one thing, then another, over weeks.

Step 7: Escalate if the branch does not resolve within 30 days

If 30 days pass after your written complaint to the Branch Manager without resolution, escalate to the bank's Grievance Redressal Officer. All banks are required to display the name and contact details of their Grievance Redressal Officer at the branch and on their website. File a fresh written complaint with the same reference number and date-stamps.

If the Grievance Redressal Officer also does not resolve within a reasonable time, you can file a complaint with the RBI Complaint Management System at cms.rbi.org.in under the Integrated Ombudsman Scheme. The RBI's 24/7 helpline is 14448. There is no fee to file an ombudsman complaint.

For PSU banks, you can also approach the Banking Ombudsman and file on CPGRAMS simultaneously.

Escalation ladder

Compensation you are entitled to for bank delays: If the bank's own fault caused a delay beyond 15 calendar days, you are entitled to interest at Bank Rate plus 4% per annum on the claim amount for the entire delay period. For safe deposit locker access delays, the bank owes Rs 5,000 per day. These are not discretionary — they are mandatory obligations under the 2025 RBI Directions. Claim them explicitly in your written complaint.

Copy-paste complaint template

Replace the text in square brackets with your own details before sending.

When RTI can help

RTI applies to Public Sector (PSU) banks — banks that are government-owned or substantially government-funded, such as the State Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, Punjab National Bank, Canara Bank, Union Bank of India, Bank of Maharashtra, Central Bank of India, and all other nationalised banks. These are public authorities under Section 2(h) of the RTI Act 2005.

If you are a legal heir and your claim at a PSU bank is being delayed, ignored, or met with unreasonable document demands, an RTI application to the bank's Public Information Officer can be highly effective. You can ask for:

• A copy of the bank's internal policy on settlement of deceased accounts (most PSU banks publish this, but RTI makes it binding to provide).
• The reasons for the delay in settling your specific claim, referencing the account number and date of submission.
• A copy of all documents received by the bank in connection with your claim.
• Whether a nomination was recorded and what records the bank holds about the deceased account holder.
• The name and designation of the officer responsible for processing deceased claims at that branch.

There is also a precedent from the Central Information Commission directing PSU banks to disclose account statements and complete account details to a legal heir of a deceased account holder. RTI applications often accelerate PSU bank action because the branch manager is aware they must respond on record within 30 days.

Learn how to file an RTI online at rtionline.gov.in. If the bank's Public Information Officer does not respond, or gives an unsatisfactory reply, you can file a first appeal under Section 19 of the RTI Act. The RTI Playbook has a complete guide to navigating PSU bank RTI requests.

The RBI itself is also a public authority under the RTI Act. If you want to understand what instructions the RBI has issued to banks about deceased account settlement, you can file an RTI with the RBI's Public Information Officer and ask for relevant circulars, guidelines, or inspection reports.

When RTI will not help

RTI does not apply to private banks such as HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Axis Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, IndusInd Bank, Yes Bank, or any foreign bank branch in India. These are private entities and are not covered by the RTI Act 2005.

For delayed or disputed claims at private banks, your recourse is:

• The bank's internal grievance process — write to the Branch Manager and then the Grievance Redressal Officer.
• RBI Integrated Ombudsman Scheme — all banks (public and private) are regulated by RBI and covered by the Integrated Ombudsman Scheme. File at cms.rbi.org.in or call 14448. The Ombudsman can direct a private bank to settle a legitimate claim and award compensation.
• Consumer Forum — a deceased account claim that a private bank wrongly refuses, or delays unreasonably, is a deficiency in banking service under the Consumer Protection Act 2019. You can file a case in the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission.

See our guide on how to file a Banking Ombudsman complaint for a step-by-step walkthrough that applies to both private and public banks.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Assuming the nominee is the legal owner. A registered nominee receives the money from the bank without legal paperwork — but that does not make the nominee the sole owner of the funds. The nominee holds the money as a trustee for all the legal heirs under the applicable succession law. Distributing assets among family members is a separate process governed by the will (if any) or personal succession law. Read our guide on when you need a succession certificate or probate to understand this distinction.
• Accepting document demands that the bank has no right to make. If you are the registered nominee, the bank cannot legally demand a succession certificate, probate of will, indemnity bond, or no-objection letters from other family members. Politely refuse and cite the RBI Directions 2025 (RBI/2025-26/82).
• Not getting a written acknowledgement. The 15-day clock starts when the bank receives your complete documents. Without a written acknowledgement with a date, you cannot prove when the clock started — and a bank can claim it is still "reviewing" documents indefinitely.
• Going to the wrong branch. Under the 2025 RBI Directions, you can submit a claim at any branch of the bank, not only the home branch. If the home branch is far or uncooperative, choose a more accessible branch.
• Assuming a joint account always has a survivorship clause. Not all joint accounts are "Either or Survivor." Some are "Former or Survivor" or "Both to Sign." Read the account opening form carefully. If the surviving holder was not the "Former," the process may be different.
• Waiting too long to escalate. Many families wait months hoping the bank will act on its own. The 2025 RBI Directions give you a powerful tool — 15 days is the legal limit. If that is missed, escalate in writing immediately. Do not wait out of politeness while a bereaved family struggles financially.
• Not claiming the delay compensation. Families often settle for the principal and forget that the bank owes them interest compensation for every day it delayed beyond 15 days (at Bank Rate + 4%). Ask for it explicitly in your complaint letter — you are entitled to it by law.
• Confusing PSU bank RTI with private bank complaints. RTI works only for government-owned (PSU) banks. For HDFC, ICICI, Axis, and other private banks, use the RBI Ombudsman route at cms.rbi.org.in.