Platform · Digital accounts · Difficulty: Moderate
Close or access a deceased person’s Microsoft account
Guidance for Outlook.com, OneDrive, and other Microsoft services when the account holder has died, including the next-of-kin process.
Who usually needs this
- Executor
- Next of kin
When to review
First month
Documents commonly needed
- Death certificate
- Proof of authority or kinship
- Court order for content access in some cases
Life Steward does not collect or store these documents.
Common issues
- Inactive Microsoft accounts may be deleted automatically after a period: act before data is lost.
- Email content access has a higher legal bar than account closure.
Official sources
- Microsoft: When someone has died (Platform support source)
Last reviewed 2026-07-10
The Life Steward Resource Centre is provided for general information and navigation only. It is not legal, tax, financial, insurance, medical, or professional advice. Confirm current requirements and deadlines with the appropriate organization or professional before acting.