PNB Death Claim Process: Step-by-Step Guide

Punjab National Bank (PNB), one of India’s largest public sector banks, has established procedures for settling accounts of deceased customers. Whether the account has a nominee or not, PNB follows a simplified process that doesn’t always require a succession certificate.

This guide covers all scenarios for claiming a deceased person’s PNB account.

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Quick Overview

Scenario	Documents Needed	Timeline
With Nominee	Form PNB 831 + Death certificate + KYC	~15 days
Joint Account (E/S)	Application + Death certificate	~7-10 days
Without Nominee (≤₹15 lakh)	Form PNB 831 + Legal heir certificate + Indemnity	~15-30 days
Without Nominee (>₹15 lakh)	Above + Succession Certificate	3-6 months

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Key Forms for PNB Claims

Form Number	Purpose
PNB 831	Claim form for nominee
Form 46-47	Declaration and indemnity forms
PNB Claim Application	General claim application

Forms can be obtained from the branch or downloaded from PNB’s website.

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Scenario 1: Account Has a Nominee

The simplest case. If the deceased had registered a nominee, the process is straightforward.

Documents Required

1. Claim Form PNB 831 (for nominee)
2. Death Certificate (Original for verification + photocopy)
3. KYC Documents of Nominee:
   • Aadhaar card
   • PAN card
   • Passport-size photographs
4. Proof of Identity matching nomination records
5. Bank Account Details of nominee (for fund transfer)

Process

Option A: Online Portal

PNB has a dedicated claim settlement portal:

1. Visit mypnb.in/DeathClaim/Login
2. Register and submit claim request
3. Upload required documents
4. Track claim status online
5. Visit branch for verification if required

Option B: Branch Visit

1. Visit the PNB branch where account is held
2. Collect Claim Form PNB 831
3. Fill and submit with all documents
4. Branch verifies the documents
5. Funds transferred to nominee’s account

Timeline

• Processing: ~15 days from complete document submission
• Payment follows verification and approval

Important Notes

• Nominee receives funds as trustee for legal heirs
• PNB follows simplified procedure without succession certificate for nominee claims
• Original documents verified and returned

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Scenario 2: Joint Account with Survivorship Clause

For accounts with “Either or Survivor” (E/S) or “Anyone or Survivor” (A/S) operation:

Documents Required

1. Simple Application to branch manager
2. Death Certificate (Original + photocopy)
3. Surviving Holder’s KYC (if not already on record)

Process

1. Visit the home branch
2. Submit application for account continuation
3. Provide death certificate
4. Bank updates account to survivor’s name
5. Survivor continues operating the account

Timeline

• Usually 7-10 days for record update
• Immediate access in most cases

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Scenario 3: No Nominee (Claims Up to ₹15 Lakh)

PNB follows a simplified procedure for settling claims up to ₹15 lakh without insisting on succession certificate.

Documents Required

1. Claim Application Form
2. Death Certificate (Original + photocopy)
3. Legal Heir Certificate from:
   • Tehsildar/SDM
   • Municipal authority
   • Equivalent competent authority
4. Form 46-47 (Declaration and Indemnity)
5. Indemnity Bond on stamp paper
6. Letter of Disclaimer/NOC from non-claiming heirs
7. KYC of all Claimants:
   • Aadhaar card
   • PAN card
   • Photographs
8. Bank Account Details for fund transfer

Attestation Requirements

The Claim Form (PNB 46-47) can be attested by:

• Notary Public
• Magistrate
• Sarpanch
• Other equivalent authority

Process

1. Obtain legal heir certificate from competent authority
2. Get NOC from heirs not claiming the amount
3. Execute indemnity bond on appropriate stamp paper
4. Fill claim forms completely
5. Submit at PNB branch with all documents
6. Branch verifies documents
7. Claim processed and funds distributed

Email Submission Option

You can also submit claims via email:

• Email: [email protected]
• Attach scanned copies of all documents
• Follow up at branch for original verification

Timeline

• 15-30 days if all documents are complete
• Delays if verification issues arise

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Scenario 4: No Nominee (Claims Above ₹15 Lakh)

For larger amounts, additional documentation is required.

Additional Documents

Everything from Scenario 3, plus:

• Succession Certificate from Civil Court
• OR Probate of Will (if will exists)
• OR Letter of Administration (as applicable)

Process

1. File petition for succession certificate in district court
2. Court issues public notice
3. After objection period, certificate issued
4. Submit certificate to PNB with other documents
5. Bank processes the claim

Timeline

• Succession certificate: 3-6 months (court process)
• Bank processing: 15-30 days after submission
• Total: 4-7 months

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Missing Person Claims

PNB also settles claims for accounts of missing persons:

Requirements

• Court Order declaring person dead under Section 108 of Indian Evidence Act, 1872
• This order substitutes the death certificate

For Claims Up to ₹2 Lakh

If account holder is missing and 7 years haven’t elapsed:

• Settlement possible up to ₹2 lakh
• Additional safeguards and indemnity required

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Types of Accounts and Claims

Savings/Current Account

Balance	Requirement
Up to ₹15 lakh	Simplified procedure, no succession certificate
Above ₹15 lakh	Succession certificate required

Fixed Deposits

Scenario	Process
With Nominee	Nominee claims with death certificate
Joint FD with survivor	Survivor continues/claims
Without Nominee	Standard claim process
Premature closure	Allowed with adjusted interest

Safe Deposit Locker

For PNB safe deposit lockers of deceased:

Scenario	Process
With Nominee	Nominee access with death certificate
Joint Locker	Survivor can access
No Nominee	Legal heir certificate needed, inventory required

See bank locker access after death for details.

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Common Issues and Solutions

Issue 1: Incomplete Documents

Problem: Branch rejects application for missing documents.

Solution:

• Get complete checklist from branch before submission
• Use PNB’s online portal to check requirements
• Ensure all forms are properly filled and attested

Issue 2: Claim Form Attestation

Problem: Difficulty getting form attested by notary/magistrate.

Solution:

• PNB allows attestation by Sarpanch or equivalent authority
• Contact local municipal office
• Notary services available near courts

Issue 3: Multiple Legal Heirs in Different Cities

Problem: All heirs can’t visit branch together.

Solution:

• Non-claiming heirs provide notarized NOC
• Main claimant submits on behalf of all
• Power of Attorney can be used
• Email submission option available

Issue 4: Account Details Unknown

Problem: Don’t know account number or branch.

Solution:

• Check old passbooks, statements, cheque books
• PAN-linked account lookup at any PNB branch
• Check SMS/email alerts if phone/email access available

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PNB Contact Information

Channel	Details
Customer Care	1800-180-2222 (Toll-free)
Claims Email	[email protected]
Website	www.pnbindia.in
Online Claims	mypnb.in/DeathClaim/Login

Grievance Redressal

If claim is delayed or denied:

1. Level 1: Branch Manager
2. Level 2: Circle Head / Zonal Manager
3. Level 3: Chief General Manager (Grievance)
4. Level 4: Banking Ombudsman (RBI)

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Checklist for Families

Before Starting

• Locate deceased’s PNB passbook/account statement
• Note account number and branch details
• Check if nominee is registered
• Identify all legal heirs

Documents to Gather

• Death certificate (multiple copies)
• Legal heir certificate (if no nominee)
• All heirs’ Aadhaar and PAN
• Passport-size photographs
• Relationship proof documents

For Submission

• Fill PNB claim forms completely
• Get forms attested as required
• Execute indemnity bond on stamp paper
• Get NOC from non-claiming heirs
• Prepare bank account for receiving funds
• Keep copies of everything submitted

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Key Takeaways

1. ₹15 lakh threshold - Below this, no succession certificate needed
2. Online portal available - Submit claims at mypnb.in
3. Email option - [email protected] accepts claim submissions
4. Simplified procedure - PNB doesn’t insist on succession certificate for smaller claims
5. Form attestation flexible - Notary, magistrate, or Sarpanch acceptable

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Related Guides

• How to Claim Deceased Bank Account - General process
• SBI Death Claim Process - Another major PSU bank
• Legal Heir Certificate Guide - Required document
• Succession Certificate Guide - For larger claims
• Nominee vs Legal Heir - Know the difference