Family members often ask: "I don't know his trading password. Can I still withdraw the funds?" The answer is yes — through the official inheritance channel. You do not need the password, but you do need a set of documents. Missing even one can stall the process.
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Assets on centralized exchanges are not on-chain wallet funds, and the platform is obligated to cooperate with legal heirs on inheritance matters. Major platforms such as Binance, OKX, and Bitget all have dedicated inheritance claim channels. The core logic is: the platform verifies your inheritance rights, then transfers the assets to an account in your own name. Below is a step-by-step explanation.
Step 1: Family member registers their own exchange account first
This is the first place where many people get stuck. You cannot move the deceased person's assets directly to yourself. The platform needs your own account to receive the transferred assets.
[What to do]: The heir registers an exchange account using their own identity information, separate from the deceased person's account.
[How to do it]: Open the platform app or website you choose, register with your own phone number or email, and complete identity verification (KYC). Note: the real-name information on this account must be the applicant themselves, matching the ID documents submitted later.
[Completion standard]: You receive a notification from the platform saying that identity verification has been approved.
Step 2: Enter the platform's inheritance claim channel
Every platform has a fixed entry point. Do not go to "online customer service" and ask "my husband died, how do I withdraw his money" — you will be redirected to the self-service channel and waste time.
[What to do]: Find the inheritance function entry on the platform and start the application.
[How to do it]:
Binance: Log in to your own Binance account → Customer Service Center → Self-service → View All → Account → Inheritance.
OKX: Contact OKX customer service, explain that you need to apply for access to the deceased person's account rights, and support will guide you to submit documents. After receiving the notice, OKX will first freeze the account, then a specialist will contact you.
Bitget: Log in to your own Bitget account → Help Center → Self-service → Account → Inheritance Claim.
[Completion standard]: You have entered the application page and are ready to start uploading documents.
Step 3: Prepare and submit the core documents
This is the most critical part. If documents are incomplete or in the wrong format, the application will be rejected and you will have to start over. You need to prepare color scans or clear photos of the following materials. Some platforms require notarized or certified copies.
Death certificate of the deceased: It must be issued by an official agency. Certificates issued by a funeral home are generally not accepted.
Proof of relationship between the applicant and the deceased: such as a marriage certificate, birth certificate, or household register.
Valid identification of the applicant: ID card or passport, and it must match the KYC information on the account you registered.
Proof of inheritance rights (choose one):
Valid will, ideally a notarized will.
If there is no will, provide proof of kinship. The platform judges based on the legal order of inheritance.
The platform may require you to sign a commitment letter, promising that the information is true and that you accept legal responsibility.
[What to do]: Upload the above documents as required by the platform, and fill in the deceased person's account information, such as registered email, phone number, or UID.
[How to do it]: When filling in information, note: the email or phone number does not have to be exactly correct for submission, but if the platform later finds mismatches during verification, the review time will be extended. Try to recall and fill in accurate information, including the submitter's detailed description and contact details.
[Completion standard]: The page shows "Submitted successfully" and generates a ticket number or application number.
Step 4: Wait for review and asset transfer
After submission, the platform team will review all the materials you provided and may contact you for additional documents.
[What to do]: Follow the review progress and supplement materials as needed.
[How to do it]: Watch the email or SMS you used during registration. The platform will notify you of the review result through those channels. After approval, the assets in the deceased person's account will be transferred to your account.
[Completion standard]: You receive the transferred assets in your account. Review time differs by platform: Bitget usually takes about 1 week, Binance usually takes 1-2 months, and OKX does not give a clear deadline; complex cases may take longer.
Common reasons for failure: missing documents or no notarization
Many applications get stuck on document issues: the death certificate is unclear, the relationship proof cannot directly prove inheritance rights, or no estate administration letter issued by a court has been provided. OKX clearly requires all documents to be certified or notarized as true copies. Binance and Bitget also require the information to match the identity verification documents. Advice: translate and notarize all documents that are not in the platform's required language in advance. For relationship proof, try to provide a household register rather than a separate proof letter. If there is a will, it must be a notarized will or a court-certified version.
Risk warning
If there is a dispute among heirs over the distribution of the estate, the platform has the right to refuse the inheritance application. This is a self-protection measure for the platform. It means family matters must be settled before the platform will release the funds. If there is a dispute, you must first go through court proceedings and obtain a clear judgment or mediation document.
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How to verify the process is complete
After submitting the application, log in to your own exchange account and check the "assets" or "funds" page. If it shows newly transferred coins and amounts, the process is complete. If you hear nothing after the platform's maximum promised time, such as Binance's 2 months, contact customer service through the original ticket number to follow up.
