Find Unclaimed Money or Property

The government wants to reunite the owners with their lost or misplaced property (money). The process to find and receive the monies is free and easier than you think. Simply search state Unclaimed Property databases by name, find unclaimed money and prove you are entitled to it. Then, the state will return it to you, without charge.

Businesses such as banks, utilities, insurance companies, investment companies and various others are required by state’s laws to surrender inactive accounts to the state. These accounts are known as “lost,” “abandoned,” or “unclaimed” funds. State’s Unclaimed Property Units typically serve as the custodian of this money.

What is Unclaimed Property?

Unclaimed property is any type of financial asset owed to an individual, business, agency, nonprofit, etc. and in possession of a holder for a specified amount of time without any contact from the “owner” (individual owed the credit, refund, rebate, etc.).

Banks,  credit unions, corporations, utilities, insurance agencies, retailers,  states and state agencies, brokerage houses and other entities annually report forgotten money and property to the unclaimed property departments. Unclaimed Property laws and processes are similar in each of the 50 states in the United States of America, as well as in the District of Columbia, Canada, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.

The state’s Treasurer Office is often responsible to receive these assets and safeguard them until they are claimed by their rightful owners or heirs.

Unclaimed property most often takes the form of:

• Bank accounts
• Insurance proceeds
• Stocks, bonds and mutual funds
• Safe deposit box contents
• Utility and phone company deposits
• Un-cashed checks, such as payroll, insurance payments, or travelers checks

Unclaimed property typically does not include real estate, vehicles, and most other physical property.

Search, Click and Claim

Step 1 - Search for unclaimed property links at govonestop.com. Select the state’s Find Unclaimed Money or Property website link.

Step 2 - On the state’s website, search the Unclaimed Money or Property database for your name.

Step 3 - If you find a match, select "File a Claim" and follow the easy steps to complete it.

Various states also allow you to check claim status.

Search Tips

Typically—You can search for an individual, family member or business. An individual search is based upon your last name (current or prior name) and your full or partial first name. A family search only requires a last name. The business search requires entering your business name.

You can search for anyone, but you may only file a claim for property that belongs to you or for which you are the legal heir. If you are a business owner, you may also file  on behalf of your business.

If you have a common name, you can narrow down your search results by specifying  the city and/or state where you have lived.

You can search for deceased family members, but only the rightful heir can claim the property.