Documents issued outside the UK

We will need to see the original death certificate supplied by the local authorities in the country where the person died. If the death certificate is in a language other than English we will need a certified translation.

Types of translations we can accept:

• A foreign death certificate with the translation already incorporated into the original document.
• A non-incorporated translation completed by a UK or non-UK based translation company. For UK based translators/companies they will need to be registered with one of the following recognised organisations:
  • Chartered Institute of Linguists.
  • Institute of Translation & Interpreting.
  • Translator employed by a company who is a member of the Association of Translation Companies.

All non-incorporated translations will need the translator to confirm the following details on the document:

• It is a true and accurate translation of the original document
• Date of translation
• Full name, business name, business address and business contact number
• Signature
• Registration No. (if applicable).

Alternatively we can accept one of the following:

• A Consular Death Registration Certificate (obtained by registering the Foreign Death Certificate in the UK).
• A Foreign Death Certificate supported by a UK Solicitor’s Death Verification Form.

We will need to see either the original or a certified copy of the signed, dated and witnessed will & codicil. If the will and codicil is in a language other than English we will need a certified translation. 

Types of translations we can accept:

• A foreign translation already incorporated into the original document.
• A non-incorporated translation completed by a UK or Non-UK based translation company. For UK based translators/companies they will need to be registered with one of the following recognised organisations:
  • Chartered Institute of Linguists.
  • Institute of Translation & Interpreting.
  • Translator employed by a company who is a member of the Association of Translation Companies.

All non-incorporated translations will need the translator to confirm the following details on the document:

• It is a true and accurate translation of the original document
• Date of translation
• Full name, business name, business address and business contact number
• Signature
• Registration No. (if applicable).

If the will doesn't refer to any assets held within the UK or name an executor, we will write to you to let you know what else is required.

Before we can release the balance held, we need to complete ID checks on the correct representative for the estate. We'll need to see proof of identity and proof of address for the person named as the executor, or the closest next of kin if there is no will or probate held. 

Proof of ID:

We'll need to see either the original or certified copy of ID for the person giving us authority to release funds held in the estate before we can proceed. This can be a valid passport.

Proof of address:

We’ll need to see either the original or certified copy of proof of address for the person giving us authority to release funds held in the estate before we can proceed. This must include your full name and full residential address.

This can be one of the below:

• Original mailed personal bank statement from the last 6 months.
• Original utility bill dated within the last 6 months.

If you don't have any of these documents, we do include a full list of what we can accept in the initial letter we send in the post.

Already our customer?

If you bank with us already, we may not ask for proof of identification. We will write to you to let you know if this is required.

 

Do I need to apply for a Grant of Probate/Letter of Administration?

It depends on the estate value or country specific guidance. We'll let you know if you need to apply for this.

What types of probate we can accept?

If you intend to or have already applied for a Grant of Probate / Letters of Administration, we'll need to see the original or a certified copy of this before we can release some information and balances held in the estate.

If the probate has issued by a court outside the UK we may ask for the original to be resealed in a UK court or a UK probate to be provided in its place. We will write to you to let you know if this is required.

For more information, please refer to the GOV.UK website.

You can send us your documents by email, post or in person at any of our branches.

Email:

Please make sure the images, photos and text you send to us are clear and readable. The documents are in colour, not black and white.

If your proof of identification is issued from outside the UK, this will need to be certified before you email it to us.

Find out how to get your documents certified.

Once you're ready you can send your documents to berdocuments@natwest.com as either a PDF, JPEG or JPG email attachment.

You need to quote your unique BER reference in the subject field. If you don't have the unique reference please include the full name, account number and sort code or date of death of the person who has died.

Post:

We recommend any documents you send to us by post are certified. Sending original documents to us by post isn't secure, and we can’t track the return letter, meaning documents could get lost. We can't accept any original photo ID by post. 

Please include a cover letter quoting your unique BER reference or the full name and account details of the late customers.

If you're posting us documents from outside the UK, send them to: 

Bereavement Services
NatWest Bank
Manchester Customer Communications Hub
1 Hardman Boulevard
Manchester M3 3AQ

If you're posting us documents from the UK, send them to: 

Bereavement Services
PO Box 5612
Manchester
M61 0WN

Branch:

If you're in the UK you can show your original documents, including original proof of identification in person. To find your nearest branch, please use our branch locator.

 The following authorised representatives can certify your documents;

• A Lawyer/attorney (notary public)
• Embassy, consulate, or high commission (excludes British Embassy consulate or High Commission)
• An overseas bank
• An associate or banking correspondent of a NatWest/Royal Bank of Scotland overseas bank
• A subsidiary of NatWest/Royal Bank of Scotland
• An offshore office of NatWest/Royal Bank of Scotland of a subsidiary of NatWest/Royal Bank of Scotland or one of our branches (if visiting the UK).

The certifier will need to provide their full name, business name, business address and business contact number on the certification.