If a self-custody wallet's recovery phrase (the 12 or 24 "seed" words) can't be found after a death, there is no reset. No company holds a copy, and the coins can't be moved without the phrase. What you can do is search the places backups usually hide, work out whether the crypto was actually at an exchange (which does have a claim process), and protect whatever you find.
This guide is for families and executors. It is general information, not legal or tax advice.
First: is it a wallet or an exchange account?
The answer decides everything.
| What you found | Route | Can it be recovered without a phrase? |
|---|---|---|
| Account at Coinbase, Kraken, Binance, Robinhood, Cash App, PayPal or similar | The executor claims it with documents | Yes. The company holds the keys, so no phrase exists to find |
| Hardware wallet (Ledger, Trezor) or wallet app (MetaMask, Trust Wallet) | Only the recovery phrase, and a passphrase if one was set, can open it | No |
| Only clues, no company and no device | Still unknown | Keep looking: see how to find out if someone had crypto |
If an exchange is involved, stop searching for words and follow the exchange claim guide instead.
Where people actually keep seed phrase backups
Check these before assuming the phrase is lost. Don't open or photograph anything you aren't legally allowed to handle, and let the executor lead.
- A home safe, fireproof box or bank safe-deposit box, often next to the hardware wallet.
- The will papers, a lawyer's file, or a letter of instruction.
- A metal plate or steel backup, which can look like a small stamped card.
- A password manager's secure notes or an encrypted file (opening these needs separate legal access; don't guess passwords).
- A second copy held by a relative, partner or trusted friend.
- A notebook or card in a desk, wallet, or with the hardware wallet's original packaging.
A recovery phrase is 12 or 24 ordinary words in order. A few people also set a separate passphrase (sometimes called the 25th word), and without it the right 24 words open a different, empty wallet. See PIN, seed phrase and passphrase explained.
If you only find some of the words
Partial phrases are sometimes recoverable, because the standard word list is fixed and the last word includes a checksum. But a partial phrase is also exactly what recovery scams advertise. Don't type fragments into a website, and don't hand them to anyone. Keep the paper safe and ask a reputable, independent wallet-recovery professional or your estate lawyer for a referral, with a written scope and no upfront payment.
What the hardware wallet and records can tell you
- The device itself. A PIN may unlock it, but repeated wrong tries can wipe the device. Don't guess. Without the recovery phrase, nobody, including the manufacturer, can recover the coins from a wiped or lost device.
- Wallet addresses. Transaction history, tax records and exchange withdrawal emails can show an address and whether coins still sit there. That tells you what exists. It does not let you move anything.
- Exchange withdrawals. If coins were withdrawn from an exchange, the exchange's records show the destination address. The executor can request them through the estate process.
Protect what you find
- Don't sign in to anything as the deceased person and don't enter any phrase into a website or app.
- Photograph nothing that contains a phrase; store the original in a safe, with two family members aware of where it is.
- Write a clue list with places and dates, without ever writing secrets on it.
- Ignore anyone who contacts you offering to "find" or "recover" the crypto for a fee. The FBI warns about companies falsely claiming to recover crypto. See also inheritance scam red flags.
If you hold crypto: don't make your family search
One page naming each wallet, where its backup is and who may open it saves weeks. A letter of instruction can hold that map without any secret. PingVaults can hand an encrypted copy of your instructions to a trusted contact after a long silence; it does not replace a will, and it is not the only backup of a wallet phrase. For a broader overview, see what happens to crypto when someone dies and the first 30 days checklist.
Common questions
Can a lost seed phrase be recovered after someone dies?
No. The phrase is generated by the wallet and isn't stored by any company. If the paper, metal plate or other backup can't be found, the coins in that self-custody wallet are not recoverable. Search for backups and for exchange accounts first.
What if I only have part of the seed phrase?
Don't enter it anywhere. Some partial phrases can be recovered by a reputable professional, but this is also a common scam. Keep the paper safe, ask your estate lawyer for a referral, and agree to a written scope with no upfront fee.
Can the hardware wallet manufacturer reset the device?
No. Resetting a hardware wallet erases it. Only the recovery phrase can restore access, and manufacturers don't hold a copy.
Does the family still have a claim if the crypto was on an exchange?
Yes. Exchanges hold the keys, so the executor can claim the account with a death certificate and legal authority. Start with the exchange claim guide.
How can I find out whether there was a wallet at all?
Look for the device, backup cards, wallet apps on the phone, exchange withdrawal emails and tax forms. The how to find out guide lists where each clue points.