Reporting A Death: Fidelity Investments Requirements And Process

Losing a loved one is one of life's most difficult experiences. While it can be a challenging time, there are several important steps you should take to protect your personal finances if you're widowed. You should notify all businesses connected to the deceased, including financial institutions, as soon as possible. This can be done easily through a free service like Life Ledger, which allows you to inform over 1,000 companies in the UK of a death. To notify Fidelity Investments of a death, you can call them on 0800 414 116 or use Life Ledger. You will need to provide the deceased's date of birth, date of death, full name and address, and a death certificate or interim death certificate. You will also need to provide photographic ID to verify your identity.

You don't need death certificates or account numbers to start

When a loved one passes away, there are several administrative tasks that need to be addressed, including notifying various institutions and managing the deceased's finances. While this process can be challenging, Fidelity Investments is committed to making it as straightforward as possible. Here is a step-by-step guide to reporting a death to Fidelity Investments, focusing on the fact that you don't need death certificates or account numbers to start.

Understanding the Process:

Firstly, it is important to know that you don't need death certificates or account numbers to initiate the process of reporting a death to Fidelity Investments. This means that you can begin taking the necessary steps without having to gather extensive documentation. This can be especially helpful if you are still awaiting official documents or if you are unsure of specific account details.

Contacting Fidelity Investments:

To report a death, you can contact Fidelity Investments via their dedicated phone line, 0800 414 116. This phone number will connect you with a team of specialists who are trained to handle such sensitive matters with compassion and efficiency. When you call, you will be guided through the process, and any specific requirements will be communicated to you.

Providing Necessary Information:

While you won't need death certificates or account numbers to initiate the report, there is some key information that you should have on hand when contacting Fidelity Investments. This includes the deceased's full name, date of birth, date of death, and their usual address. Additionally, you will need to provide your own photographic identification, such as a passport or driving licence. Having these details readily available will streamline the process and help Fidelity Investments locate the relevant accounts and take the appropriate next steps.

Support and Guidance:

Notifying all relevant businesses and institutions about a death can be a challenging task, and it's important to seek support if needed. Consider reaching out to friends, family, or professional services for assistance. Additionally, Fidelity Investments offers a range of resources to help you navigate this difficult time. They provide checklists and guides on their website, covering topics such as gathering documents, protecting your finances, and coping with grief. These resources can provide valuable insights and next steps to help you through the process.

Taking Care of Yourself:

During this difficult time, it's crucial to prioritise self-care and seek support for yourself and your loved ones. Grief is a unique experience for everyone, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Allow yourself time to process your emotions and reach out to others for help if needed. By taking care of yourself, you will be better equipped to handle the administrative tasks that come with reporting a death and managing the deceased's affairs.

You may need to supply the original death certificate

When a loved one passes away, there are several important steps to take to protect your personal finances and those of the deceased. While it is not necessary to have a death certificate to start the process of notifying Fidelity of a death, you may need to supply the original death certificate at some point.

The death certificate is a crucial document that serves as official confirmation of the death. Obtaining a copy of the death certificate is one of the first steps to take after a loved one's passing. Typically, a healthcare professional will pronounce and record the time of death, which initiates the process of securing the death certificate.

The original death certificate may be required when notifying various organisations and institutions of the death. For example, when submitting the will to the local probate court, a certified copy of the death certificate must be included. Additionally, when contacting financial institutions, you may need to present the original death certificate.

It is worth noting that the number of death certificates required may vary, so it is advisable to obtain multiple certified copies. This can be done by contacting the relevant authorities or funeral service providers, who can guide you through the process.

In the context of notifying Fidelity Investments of a death, the requirement for the original death certificate may depend on the specific circumstances and the jurisdiction involved. In some cases, a scanned or photographed copy of the death certificate may be sufficient, especially when using an online platform or service.

You may need to supply a sealed copy of the Grant of Probate

When a loved one passes away, there are several important steps you should take to protect your personal finances and settle the estate. While it may be difficult to know exactly what to do in the immediate aftermath, there are a few key considerations to keep in mind. Firstly, you won't need death certificates or account numbers to start the process of notifying financial institutions such as Fidelity Investments. This is an important first step, and while it may not be easy, asking for support from friends, family, or other resources can be incredibly helpful during this challenging time.

In the first few weeks after a death, you may need to handle additional affairs, including starting the probate process. Probate is a legal document that is often required by financial institutions, such as Fidelity Investments, to access bank accounts, sell assets, and settle debts. It provides the executor with the legal authority to administer the deceased's estate. While probate laws vary by region, in England and Wales, a Grant of Probate is commonly required. You may need to supply a sealed copy of the Grant of Probate to Fidelity Investments or other financial institutions to access the deceased's accounts and settle their estate.

A Grant of Probate is a legal document that serves as official recognition by the Court that a Will is valid and that the executor(s) named in the Will are authorised to administer the estate. This document can be obtained by making an application to the Court and is usually granted by a probate registrar. The process typically takes two to three months but can be longer depending on the registry's workload. Once the Grant of Probate is issued, it will be released to the executor(s) or their solicitors, and the original Will is retained by the Court.

The Grant of Probate is typically issued in hard copy, bearing the official Court seal and details of the estate, with a copy of the Will attached. Financial institutions may request to see the Grant of Probate to access the deceased's accounts and settle their debts. It is recommended to purchase additional copies of the Grant of Probate, as multiple institutions may request to see it simultaneously. This document provides assurance to banks and other financial institutions that they are releasing assets to the correct person(s).

While it may be a difficult and emotional process, taking these steps to obtain and supply a sealed copy of the Grant of Probate to Fidelity Investments or other relevant institutions is crucial for settling the estate of your loved one.

You will need to provide the deceased's personal details

When a loved one passes away, it's important to notify all connected businesses as soon as possible. This includes financial institutions such as Fidelity Investments. While you won't need death certificates or account numbers to start the process with Fidelity, there are some personal details of the deceased that you will need to provide. Here is a comprehensive list of the deceased's personal details that you should gather before contacting Fidelity Investments:

• Date of birth
• Date of death
• Full name
• Usual address

In addition to the above, you will also need to provide a death certificate or interim death certificate for the deceased. This can be a scan or photograph of the document. It's worth noting that some sources suggest having the original death certificate on hand, as it may be required depending on the circumstances.

To verify your identity as the notifier, you will also need to provide your own identification. This can be done by supplying a scan or photograph of a valid form of photo identification, such as your passport or driving licence.

While not specifically a personal detail of the deceased, it's worth noting that you may also be required to supply a sealed copy of the Grant of Probate.

Gathering these details ahead of time will help streamline the process of notifying Fidelity Investments of your loved one's passing and reduce the administrative burden on you and your family during this difficult time.

You will need to provide photographic ID

When reporting a death to Fidelity Investments, you will need to provide a piece of photographic identification to verify your identity. This can be done by uploading a scan or photograph of your ID. Acceptable forms of ID include a passport or driving licence.

To make the process of notifying Fidelity Investments of a death easier, you can use a free service called Life Ledger. This platform allows you to notify over 1,000 companies in the UK about the death of a loved one from one convenient platform. Using Life Ledger can help save time and effort, reduce stress and worry, and enable collaboration with friends and family.

To notify Fidelity Investments of a death using Life Ledger, you will need to provide the following information:

• The deceased's date of birth, date of death, full name, and usual address
• A death certificate or interim death certificate (scan or photograph)
• Your photographic ID (scan or photograph)

Alternatively, you can call the Fidelity team on 0800 414 116 or send a letter to Fidelity International PO Box 391 Tadworth KT20 9FU.

Frequently asked questions