How can my family access my Google Ads account after I die?

The process typically involves contacting Google Ads with a death certificate and proof of relationship. Our step-by-step guide walks you through the exact procedure.

💼 Work & Business

What Happens to Your Google Ads Account When You Die

Active spend liabilityCRITICAL

Outstanding ad spend invoices must be paid — Google may pursue the estate for unpaid balances. Cancel all active campaigns immediately.

Quick Facts

Portal

ads.google.com

Billing

Monthly invoiced or prepay

Risk

Estate liable for unpaid invoices

Step-by-Step Guide

Pause all active campaigns immediately

Estimated time: 10 min

Go to page

Check for outstanding invoices

Navigate to Billing & Payments to review any unpaid invoices. The estate may be liable for outstanding balances.

Estimated time: 10 min

Download campaign data and performance reports

Export all campaign, ad group, and keyword reports. Download billing history and receipts for estate records.

Estimated time: 30 min

Remove stored payment methods and billing info

Delete all credit cards, bank accounts, and billing profiles to prevent future charges.

Estimated time: 10 min

Transfer MCC access or close the account

If a team member needs ongoing access, transfer Manager account (MCC) admin rights. Otherwise, request account cancellation through Google Ads support.

Estimated time: 15 min

Official docs

Document Now Checklist

Google Ads Account ID (xxx-xxx-xxxx)
Average monthly ad spend
Billing email address
Outstanding balance or unpaid invoices
MCC (Manager Account) access details

Last verified: June 2026. Platform policies may change. Verify current procedures directly with Google Ads. This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.

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GitHub

Transfer important private repositories to a trusted collaborator or organisation. Go to Repo Settings → Transfer.

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