Financial Transactions Blocked Day After Death Registration
Starting September 11, 2026, financial transactions in the deceased person's name will be automatically blocked the day after a death registration is received. Deposits and exceptions for urgent expenses, changes to automatic payments, and inherited asset searches must be checked separately.
The system for promptly blocking financial transactions in a deceased person's name takes effect the day after a death registration is received.
As of the September 2026 announcement, the system covers 4,890 companies across the financial sector.
Essential transactions such as deposits are allowed, and withdrawals for medical and funeral expenses are possible as exceptions once supporting documents have been verified.
Automatic payments from the deceased person's account may stop, so payment methods must be checked.
Transactions are blocked automatically, but checking assets and receiving inherited deposits require separate procedures.
Once a death report is filed, financial transactions in the deceased person’s name are automatically blocked starting the next day. The family does not need to request a separate block. For urgent expenses such as funeral costs, ask about an exception withdrawal. Check how automatic payments from the deceased person’s account will be made.
The effective date and number of participating companies are based on the Financial Services Commission’s September 7, 2026 announcement.
What Is the Rapid Blocking System for Financial Transactions in a Deceased Person’s Name?
This system quickly shares information about deceased persons with financial institutions to prevent transactions using their identities. It officially takes effect on September 11, 2026. The Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Financial Services Commission, Financial Supervisory Service, and Korea Credit Information Services developed it together.
The Ministry of the Interior and Safety provides information about deceased persons once a day. The information reaches financial institutions through Korea Credit Information Services. Before carrying out in-person or remote transactions, financial institutions check whether the account holder has died. If the death is confirmed, they block the transaction.
All financial transactions in a deceased person’s name across the financial sector are halted starting the day after a death report is received
This is the wording used by the Financial Services Commission in “Illegal financial transactions in a deceased person’s name will be blocked immediately starting the ‘next day’ after a death is reported.”
How the New System Differs from the Previous Approach
The main changes are how often information about deceased persons is shared and how many institutions use it. Previously, some financial institutions received the information once a month. The announcement considered both the one-month deadline for reporting a death and the information-sharing schedule. It explained that confirming a death could therefore take up to about two months.
Category | Previous approach | Approach effective September 11, 2026
Frequency of information about deceased persons | Once a month | Once a day
Institutions using the information | Some financial institutions, including banks | 4,890 companies across the financial sector
Checks before transactions | A gap could occur before the information was reflected | Real-time checks during transactions
Family request to block transactions | Depended on each institution confirming the death | Handled automatically through linked death report information
The figure of 4,890 companies is the number participating when the announcement was made in September 2026. They include banks, insurers, card companies, securities firms, savings banks, and mutual financial institutions. The frequency of information updates is different from when transactions are checked. The information is updated daily, and financial institutions check it at the time of a transaction.
Blocks and Exceptions by Transaction Type
Withdrawals, transfers, loans, and other transactions in the deceased person’s name are subject to blocking. There are exceptions for essential transactions, including deposits. Even after transactions are blocked, deposits can be paid out through the lawful inheritance process.
Transaction needed | How it is handled | What to check
Withdrawals, transfers, and loans in the deceased person’s name | Blocked in principle | How to handle them through the inheritance process
Deposits into the deceased person’s deposit account | Permitted as an essential transaction | The account’s actual processing status
Payment of urgent expenses such as medical and funeral costs | Exception withdrawal possible after supporting documents are checked | Required documents and the institution to be paid
Heirs receiving deposits | Paid through the inheritance process | Each financial institution’s documents for paying inherited deposits
Automatic payments for utility bills and insurance premiums | May stop | Changing the payment account or paying separately
Permitting deposits means money owed to the deceased person can be paid into their account. It does not mean family members can withdraw that money immediately. Check separately whether a deposit can be made and what is required to receive inherited deposits.
How to Make an Exception Withdrawal for Medical and Funeral Costs
For an exception withdrawal, the financial institution transfers the money directly to the institution owed the payment. This applies to urgent and unavoidable expenses such as medical and funeral costs. It is handled differently from a regular withdrawal that lets family members withdraw cash freely.
· Ask the financial institution holding the deceased person’s deposits about exception withdrawals.
· Check which documents it requires to verify your relationship, such as a certificate of family relations.
· Prepare proof of the expense and payment details for the hospital, nursing home, or funeral home.
· After the financial institution checks the documents, confirm whether it can make a direct transfer.
The September 2026 announcement does not specify a common withdrawal limit. It also does not give uniform guidance on document types or processing times. Check what proof the financial institution needs before visiting. Ask separately whether costs the family has already paid can be reimbursed.
How to Prepare for Stopped Automatic Payments
Check the payment status of utility bills and insurance premiums previously paid from the deceased person’s account. Blocking transactions may stop those automatic payments. You also need to confirm that any change to the payment method has taken effect.
· Gather utility bills and records of insurance premium payments.
· Mark the items paid from the deceased person’s account.
· Ask each billing organization whether the contract needs to be maintained, changed, or terminated.
· For items you will continue paying, change the payment account or arrange separate payment.
· Check that payment goes through when the next bill is issued.
This list puts the announcement’s guidance on stopped automatic payments into a practical order. Check each contract to decide whether it should remain in force. For insurance in particular, ask separately about changing the payment account and handling the policy.
Common Mistakes About Automatic Blocking and Asset Inquiries
Transaction blocking happens automatically, but the rest of the inheritance process does not. Financial asset inquiries and payment of inherited deposits require separate procedures. Keep the following distinctions in mind.
· Confusing the date of death with the date it is reported: The rapid blocking system takes effect the day after a death report is received.
· Using funds at your discretion because transactions are still possible before blocking: Being technically able to make a transaction does not mean an heir has the authority to dispose of the funds.
· Confusing an account block with the loss of assets: The deceased person’s assets are still handled through the inheritance process after transactions are blocked.
· Confusing an asset inquiry with payment of deposits: Even after receiving inquiry results, check the payment procedure with the financial institution.
· Confusing stopped automatic payments with completed payment arrangements: Check for unpaid bills and confirm the contract status with the billing organization.
How to Check the Deceased Person’s Financial Assets and Debts
You can check the deceased person’s assets through the Financial Transaction Inquiry Service for Heirs or the One-Stop Inheritance Service. The inquiry covers debts as well as deposits. Check how to apply based on the information you need.
Service | Main information covered | Where to check
Financial Transaction Inquiry Service for Heirs | Financial transactions including deposits, loans, insurance, and securities | Financial Supervisory Service and financial institutions accepting applications
One-Stop Inheritance Service | Financial transactions, land, buildings, vehicles, taxes, and more | Government24, city and district offices, and administrative welfare centers
For the One-Stop Inheritance Service, check eligibility based on the order of inheritance and other factors. According to Government24, online applications are available to first- and second-priority heirs. For an in-person application, all applicants need to bring identification. Check the Government24 application guide for additional documents, including proof of relationship.
Comparing the Deadlines for Asset Inquiries and Renouncing an Inheritance
Do not delay deciding whether to renounce an inheritance just because there is still time to apply for an asset inquiry. The two procedures have different purposes and different rules for calculating their deadlines. Check the decision deadline while looking into assets and debts.
Category | Deadline | Meaning
Applying for a One-Stop Inheritance asset inquiry | Within 1 year from the last day of the month in which the death occurred | Period for applying for an integrated inquiry
Accepting, accepting with limited liability, or renouncing an inheritance | In principle, within 3 months of learning that the inheritance has begun | Period for deciding how to handle the inheritance
The One-Stop Inheritance deadline is based on Government24 guidance updated on July 29, 2026. The period for deciding on an inheritance is the general rule under Article 1019 of the Civil Act. You can check the specific starting point and exceptions at Easy-to-Find Practical Legal Information.
Blocking transactions does not replace an application to renounce an inheritance or accept it with limited liability. If the amount of debt is unclear, check the deadline while waiting for the inquiry results. It is best to seek legal advice on decisions involving family relationships or debt circumstances.
How Shared Information About Deceased Persons May Be Used
The use of information about deceased persons is restricted to the purpose of blocking financial transactions. Korea Credit Information Services revised its rules to prohibit use for other purposes and disclosure to third parties. The Financial Services Commission’s September 2026 information cards also explain these stronger internal controls.
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