SBI deceased claim settlement rules simplified! How to apply online, who is eligible, documents required - Check revised guidelines

Customers of State Bank of India (SBI) can now submit claims for the settlement of a deceased account holder’s deposits, lockers and safe custody articles online. SBI has now revised the guidelines for the settlement of claims of deceased account holders for such deposits with effect from December 16, 2025.

On its official website, it further stated that the guidelines were revised to provide a harmonised framework and to standardise the documentation for the settlement of claims in respect of deposit accounts, safe deposit lockers and articles in the safe custody of a deceased customer, and to minimise the difficulties faced by their nominees, survivors and legal heirs.

The SBI further said that these revised directions, however, shall not be applicable for government savings schemes such as Senior Citizen Savings Scheme (SCSS), Public Provident Fund (PPF), Mahila Sammana Savings Certificate (MSSC) and Sukanya Samriddhi Account (SSA).

SBI deceased claim settlement: How to do it online

Claimant/s can lodge a deceased account holder’s deposit claim in any of his/her choice of SBI’s branches and obtain an acknowledgement. In case of safe deposit lockers, claimant/s have to lodge the deceased's claim at the branch where the deceased hirer hired the locker.

Claimant/s can lodge a deceased account holder’s claim request for deposit accounts and safe deposit lockers through “Branch Visit” or “Online Mode”. The path for online mode is SBI.BANK.IN > CUSTOMER CARE, the SBI mentioned in its website.

In order to make the claim settlement of the deceased account holder’s process simpler, the SBI has introduced a simplified procedure where nomination is not registered. Under this, the settlement of deceased cases for bank deposits of up to Rs 15 lakh can be settled without needing a surety.

The bank has also introduced a simplified procedure where nomination is not registered. In this, the settlement of deceased cases of safe deposit lockers can be done without requiring any surety.

SBI deceased claim settlement: Common FAQs answered

SBI deceased claim settlement: What will happen in case of any dispute among legal heirs/claimants

The SBI’s website also states, “If bank finds any dispute among the legal heirs/ claimants, Succession Certificate / Probate of Will or Letter of Administration or Court order/ decree, as applicable, will be required along with the claim documents for settlement of claims.”

What will happen when the claimants/nominees cannot upload the required forms/formats/documents in the portal or could not submit the same to the branch?

In such cases, 3 reminders (SMS & Email) will be sent to the claimants/nominees for submission/upload of required documents (reminders on 30th, 45th and 60th day). Failure to submit/upload the documents by the claimants/nominees will lead to automatic closure of the CRM case on 90th day, SBI said in a note.

Is the settlement of a deceased claim a time-bound exercise?

Yes, the settlement of the deceased's claim is a time-bound exercise. The processing and sanction of the claim will have to be completed within 8 days of submission of all the required forms/ formats/documents in the portal or to the branch by the claimants/nominees.

Once the claim is sanctioned in CRM, payment of settlement proceeds will be made to the claimants/nominees within 7 days from the day of completing all required formalities at the selected branch.

All claimants, disclaimants, persons giving the declaration and surety/ies visit the selected branch along with all original documents and forms/formats uploaded and submit the same to branch officials, who will verify the documents/forms/signatures.

Whether the new process will include Nomination cases also?

Yes, the new process will include Nomination cases also.

When all the accounts of the deceased customer have details of the nominee, even in such cases, is it required to lodge the claim at the Portal?

Yes, in such cases, the nominee will have to lodge the claim through the Portal or may visit the branch for lodging the claims in the Portal by submitting the documents.

What if a nomination is registered in favour of a minor?

If the nominee is a minor, the person appointed by the deceased account holder to act on behalf of the minor, until he/she attains majority, has to submit the documents as specified.

SBI deceased claim settlement guidelines: Documents required for Bank Deposits

-Where nomination is available

- Where nomination is not available

-In addition to the documents mentioned above, additional document of Surety Annex I-C to be submitted.

Documents required for settlement of deceased accounts - Safe Deposit Lockers and Safe Custody Articles:

-Where nomination is available

-Where nomination is not available