General overview
What is Vault Inheritance?
Vault Inheritance lets a Vault owner (the benefactor) name a trusted person (the beneficiary) to receive their Vault assets if something happens to them. It works automatically in the background, so you don't need to manually confirm you're still active, and nothing moves until Uphold verifies an inheritance claim.
How does it work from a security standpoint?
When you set up Vault Inheritance, your Beneficiary gets their own unique cryptographic key. That key can't do anything on its own, as it stays inactive until Uphold formally verifies an inheritance claim (for example, confirming a death certificate through our standard compliance review). Once verified, the beneficiary uses that key to complete the claim, and Uphold countersigns it to move the eligible assets to their account.
For the Vault owner (benefactor)
Does my beneficiary see my balances or transaction history?
No. As long as you're active on Uphold, your Beneficiary can't see your balances, transaction history, or the types of assets in your Vault. The only thing they know is that you've named them as a Beneficiary.
Do I have to check in to prove I am alive?
No. There's no manual or periodic check-in. Uphold automatically tracks your normal app and account activity to confirm you're still active. While you're active, the system blocks any inheritance claims on its own — no action is needed from you.
Can I change or remove my beneficiary?
Yes. At any time, you can change your Beneficiary, remove them, or turn off Vault Inheritance entirely from your Vault settings. If you remove a Beneficiary, their inheritance key stops working immediately and can't be reactivated.
Is there a cost to set this up?
Yes. There's a one-time fee to activate and set up Vault Inheritance. You'll see the exact amount in the app before you confirm setup.
For the beneficiary
I received an invite. What do I need to do?
To accept, you'll need an active Uphold account and to complete our standard identity verification (KYC). Once verified, accept the invitation in the app. Uphold then generates your unique inheritance key and stores it securely.
Can I withdraw or move money from the Vault once I accept the invite?
No. Accepting the invite doesn't give you any access to the assets or control over the Vault. Your key can't sign transactions until Uphold approves a formal claim.
How do I make a claim if the Vault owner passes away?
Contact Uphold Support to start a claim. You'll need to provide official documentation, such as a death certificate or a relevant court order. Our operations and legal teams review the documents, and this process can vary depending on your jurisdiction or the specifics of the estate. Once verified, you complete the claim using your inheritance key, and Uphold countersigns it to move the eligible assets to your account.