How to obtain access to an OKX account of someone who passed away or lost mental capacity?
We understand it can be difficult to make decisions after a loved one has passed away or lost mental capacity. To help make things easier for you, we put together this guidance for your quick reference. We also recommend you contact your legal advisor for assistance as needed.
Contact us
Please contact our US Compliance team by submitting a request by emailing compliance-us@okx.com. You may also contact the Support Center for general assistance.
Once we are notified of the death or loss of mental capacity of our user (the “User”), and confirm the account, we will begin the procedure to place a temporary administrative hold on the User’s account, pending verification of documentation. A dedicated analyst will be assigned to your case and will contact you to guide you through the process.
Documents we may need from you
To further process your request, we will need you to provide the following documentation. All documents provided should be in English and should be certified as true copies. Documents may be notarized by a licensed notary public, including via remote online notarization (RON) in states where permitted. Certified digital copies issued directly by a US state vital records office or court are also accepted. For documents originating outside the United States, an apostille or notarized translation may be required.
In the event of a User’s death:
Proof of death (such as Death Certificate);
Proof of relationship (such as a Marriage or Birth Certificate);
Identity documents of the User;
Identity documents of the applicant;
Last will (if the User died testate — i.e., with a valid will);
Document(s) issued by a competent authority confirming that the applicant has the authority to handle the financial affairs of the User. For US customers, this includes:
Letters Testamentary (issued by probate court when a will exists);
Letters of Administration (issued when there is no will);
Small Estate Affidavit (available in most states for estates below the applicable threshold, without probate proceedings);
A letter signed by the person(s) with authority and/or any government-issued document(s) instructing us on what to do with the account and the account balance, if any;
Other documents/information which we may require.
In the event of a User’s loss of mental capacity:
Proof of the User’s loss of mental capacity (such as a physician’s declaration, court finding, or psychiatric evaluation);
Proof of relationship (such as a Marriage or Birth Certificate);
Identity documents of the User;
Identity documents of the applicant;
Power of Attorney — if applicable. For US customers, please note the following:
Only a Durable Power of Attorney (DPOA) or Financial Power of Attorney remains valid after the principal loses mental capacity. A General (non-durable) POA is automatically revoked upon incapacity.
A Springing POA only takes effect upon a triggering event (typically a physician’s certification of incapacity). You will need to provide evidence that the triggering condition has been met.
A Healthcare Power of Attorney is not sufficient to manage financial accounts. A financial or general durable POA is required.
All POA documents must be notarized. Some states also require witnessing; remote online notarization (RON) is accepted in states where permitted.
Document(s) issued by a competent authority confirming that the applicant has the authority to handle the financial affairs of the User (such as a Court Order of Guardianship or Conservatorship, or a state-issued certificate of authority);
A letter signed by the person(s) with authority and/or any government-issued document(s) instructing us on what to do with the account and the account balance, if any;
Other documents/information which we may require.
Transfer of funds and account closure options
Upon approval of the required documentation, we will work with the authorized representative to carry out one of the following outcomes:
Liquidation and withdrawal: Digital asset balances may be liquidated and proceeds withdrawn to a verified bank account in the authorized representative’s or estate’s name.
Transfer in kind: Subject to applicable law and platform availability, digital assets may be transferred to another OKX account or a designated external wallet address held by the estate or authorized beneficiary.
Account closure: Once assets are disbursed per instructions, the User’s account will be closed.
If there are any outstanding balances or amounts owed in connection with the account, these may be settled from the account before the remaining assets are transferred or the account is closed.
If the User held other OKX products or services, those may be handled under their own processes, which we will explain as part of your case.
Unclaimed property: OKX INC. complies with applicable state unclaimed property laws. Accounts that remain unclaimed after the applicable dormancy period may be reported and remitted to the appropriate state authority. If you believe assets belonging to a deceased or incapacitated User may be subject to escheatment, please contact us promptly.
Note: OKX INC. does not currently offer Transfer on Death (TOD) designations or beneficiary designations on customer accounts. We encourage customers to account for their digital assets in their estate planning documents.
Note: The required documentation and processes may differ depending on your state of residence and individual circumstances. OKX INC. operates as a licensed money services business across various US jurisdictions, and applicable requirements may vary by state. The information provided in this guidance does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available in this guidance are for general informational purposes only. You should seek professional legal advice with respect to any particular legal matter, and only your legal advisor can provide advice which is applicable or appropriate to your particular situation.