What Happens to Your DigitalOcean Account When You Die
Quick Facts
Billing
Hourly charges on Droplets
Data
Export before destroying
Transfer
Team access available
Step-by-Step Guide
Export data from Droplets and databases
SSH into Droplets to download application data and backups. Export managed database data using pg_dump or equivalent tools.
Snapshot Droplets before destroying
Create snapshots of all Droplets as backup. Snapshots → Create Snapshot. Snapshots have a small storage cost but preserve everything.
Add team members or transfer account
Settings → Team → Invite Members. Add a trusted person with full access to manage resources.
Destroy resources and cancel billing
Destroy Droplets, managed databases, Kubernetes clusters, and Spaces to stop all charges. Contact support for estate closure.
Document Now Checklist
- DigitalOcean account email
- List all Droplets and their purposes
- Monthly bill amount
- SSH key locations
- Note any managed databases or Kubernetes clusters
Save this to your vault
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Start your vault — free for 30 daysLast verified: June 2026. Platform policies may change. Verify current procedures directly with DigitalOcean. This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
Related Guides
WordPress.com
Document every WordPress.com site URL, admin login email, and whether each has a premium plan. Add a separate vault entry for each site if you manage multiple.
WordPress.org (Self-Hosted)
Document every self-hosted WordPress site URL, hosting provider, wp-admin login, and database credentials. Add a separate vault entry for each site.
GitHub
GitHub has no formal memorialization process. Private repos become permanently inaccessible without account credentials. Add a trusted contact as org owner for any organizations you manage.
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