Financial and Business Digital Accounts
What happens to PayPal and Venmo accounts after death?
Short answer
PayPal allows family members to claim the balance in a deceased person's account. Contact PayPal's resolution center with a death certificate and documentation of your authority over the estate. Venmo requires a similar process through their support team. Balances belong to the…
What this usually means
PayPal allows family members to claim the balance in a deceased person's account. Contact PayPal's resolution center with a death certificate and documentation of your authority over the estate. Venmo requires a similar process through their support team. Balances belong to the estate — they do not transfer automatically.
What to do next
- Start the PathAfter checklist for situation-aware first steps.
- Find California county help for coroner contacts, vital records, cost tools, and paperwork.
- Open the First 72 Hours Call Log before making calls.
- Open the Documents to Find Checklist when you are ready for paperwork.