Disclaimer: This is educational information only and is not legal advice. Laws change and your situation may require personalized legal counsel. Consult an Alaska-licensed attorney for legal advice about your specific circumstances.

Quick summary

If you are the personal representative (executor or administrator) of a deceased person’s estate in Alaska, banks will usually require: proof you are authorized to act (letters testamentary or similar court papers), a certified death certificate, and an Employer Identification Number (EIN) issued by the IRS for the estate. You obtain the estate EIN from the IRS (Form SS-4 or online), then take the EIN and court-authorizing documents to the bank to open the estate account. This account is used to collect assets, pay debts, and distribute property under Alaska’s probate rules (Title 13, Alaska Statutes).

Detailed answer — step-by-step process

1. Confirm your authority to act for the estate

Before opening an estate bank account, you normally need to be the person legally authorized to administer the estate. That authority typically comes from:

• a valid will naming you as personal representative with the court issuing letters testamentary, or
• a court appointment as an administrator if there is no will, or
• a valid small-estate affidavit or other simplified statutory procedure if the estate qualifies under Alaska’s small-estate rules.

Alaska’s probate and fiduciary laws are in Title 13 of the Alaska Statutes. For general statutory provisions on probate and fiduciary duties, see the Alaska Statutes, Title 13: https://www.akleg.gov/basis/statutes.asp#13

2. Get certified copies of the death certificate and court documents

Most banks require a certified copy of the decedent’s death certificate and a certified copy of the letters (letters testamentary or letters of administration) showing your authority. Order certified death certificates from the state vital records office if you don’t already have them.

3. Obtain an EIN for the estate from the IRS

Why you need an EIN: The estate is a separate taxpayer for estate income and for many bank and investment institutions. Do not use the decedent’s Social Security number for ongoing estate business. Instead, get an estate Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS and use it on bank accounts and estate tax filings (Form 1041, if required).

How to apply for the EIN:

1. Use the IRS online EIN application if you are the responsible party and you have a U.S. taxpayer identification number. Visit: https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/apply-for-an-employer-identification-number-ein-online
2. Or complete IRS Form SS-4 and submit it by fax or mail. The SS-4 form and instructions are here: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fss4.pdf
3. If you cannot apply online (for example, because you lack a U.S. TIN), the IRS accepts EIN applications by phone or fax for international applicants—follow the instructions on the IRS EIN page above or contact the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line for assistance.

When completing the SS-4 for a decedent’s estate: check the box or line that identifies the entity type as an estate, list the decedent’s name and date of death where requested, and provide the personal representative as the responsible party (use your SSN or ITIN as required on the form). The IRS issues the EIN once the application is processed; retain the EIN confirmation letter (CP 575) for the bank.

4. Visit the bank with required documents

Call the bank in advance to confirm exactly which documents they require. Common items banks ask for include:

• Certified letters testamentary or letters of administration (court-issued documents);
• Certified copy of the death certificate;
• Estate EIN (IRS confirmation or the EIN number);
• Personal identification for the personal representative (driver’s license, passport);
• Completed bank signature card and any bank-specific forms for fiduciary accounts.

The bank will open the account in the estate’s name (for example, “Estate of [Decedent Name], by [Your Name], Personal Representative”). Use the estate account to receive estate checks, deposit proceeds from sales of estate property, pay valid estate debts and expenses, and make distributions under the will or court order. Do not co-mingle estate funds with your personal funds.

5. Follow fiduciary duties and Alaska probate procedures

As personal representative you have fiduciary duties to creditors, beneficiaries, and the court. Typical responsibilities include inventorying assets, notifying heirs and creditors where required, paying valid debts and taxes, filing necessary tax returns for the decedent and the estate, and distributing remaining assets according to the will or Alaska probate law.

For Alaska-specific probate procedures and forms, consult the Alaska Court System’s probate resources: https://public.courts.alaska.gov/web/probate/ and review Alaska Statutes, Title 13 for statutory requirements: https://www.akleg.gov/basis/statutes.asp#13

6. Practical timing and tax notes

• Obtain the EIN early if you expect to collect income, sell assets, or need to file an estate tax or income tax return for the estate (Form 1041) for the year following the decedent’s death.
• Keep complete records of income, expenses, distributions, and bank statements tied to the estate account. Those records support tax filings and show you met your fiduciary duties.
• Ask the bank whether they require additional documentation for investments, brokerage accounts, or for transfers of titles (real estate, vehicles) — those institutions often have separate procedures in addition to the estate bank account.

Common issues and troubleshooting

Bank won’t accept the EIN

Provide the IRS confirmation letter with the EIN (CP 575) or a printed EIN assignment notice. If the bank still resists, ask to speak to the bank’s estate or trust specialist and explain that estates use EINs rather than the decedent’s SSN.

No probate court involvement — small estate

If the estate qualifies for Alaska’s small-estate procedures, you may be able to collect certain assets without full probate. Check the Alaska Court System’s guidance to determine if a simplified process applies: https://public.courts.alaska.gov/web/probate/

Multiple banks and institutions

Different banks and brokerage firms have different onboarding rules. Provide the same core documents (letters, death certificate, EIN) and ask each institution for its specific list of requirements.

Helpful Hints

• Call the bank before you go — ask exactly which documents they require and whether they need originals or certified copies.
• Apply for the estate EIN as soon as you anticipate the need — it can take several days to weeks depending on the method used.
• Keep estate funds separate — open an account with a name that clearly identifies it as an estate account (banks are familiar with this format).
• Keep meticulous records for every deposit, withdrawal, and distribution from the estate account to support accounting and tax reporting.
• If the estate will generate income (rental, interest, dividends), consult IRS guidance about filing Form 1041 (estate income tax return) and deadlines: https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-1041
• If you are unsure whether to open an estate account (e.g., small cash amounts or jointly titled accounts), get advice from an Alaska probate attorney or the court clerk before transferring funds.