What Happens to Your GitHub Account When You Die
Quick Facts
Deadline
None for public repos
Difficulty
Moderate
Key Info
Private repos need transfer or they are lost
Step-by-Step Guide
Transfer important repos
Transfer important private repositories to a trusted collaborator or organisation. Go to Repo Settings → Transfer.
Estimated time: 15 min
Record GitHub username
Note your GitHub username for reference.
Estimated time: 2 min
Cancel GitHub Pro/Teams
Note subscription status so executor can cancel paid plans.
Estimated time: 5 min
Family contacts GitHub
Contact GitHub support with Death Certificate to request transfer or deletion of repositories.
Document Now Checklist
- GitHub username
- Important repositories
- Subscription plan
- Organisation memberships
Save this to your vault
When you document your accounts in Passed Plan, your family gets a personalized action plan — with only the guides that apply to them, in the right order, with your notes attached.
Start your vault — free for 30 daysLast verified: June 2026. Platform policies may change. Verify current procedures directly with GitHub. This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
Related Guides
Domain Names (GoDaddy, Namecheap, Cloudflare)
Domains expire on a specific date. If not renewed, they become publicly available and can be registered by anyone.
Shopify
If you have an active Shopify store, orders may continue coming in. Your executor needs access immediately to fulfill or refund.
Adobe Creative Cloud
Log in and download all files stored in Creative Cloud before cancelling.
Protect your GitHub account — and all your others
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