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It's Your Money. Go Get It.

Use this How to Find Unclaimed Property Checklist to locate valuable assets owed to you or deceased relatives. For more information and resources, visit our Unclaimed Property Information Hub.

Unclaimed Property Information Hub

Step 1: Know What You’re Looking For

Unclaimed property comes in many forms—start by understanding what types of assets may be held in your name or a loved one’s name.

Includes bank accounts, uncashed checks, insurance payouts, utility refunds, stock dividends, and safe deposit box contents.

Most property is considered unclaimed after 1–5 years of no contact or activity with the account holder.

Heirs, executors, and legal representatives can often claim property on behalf of deceased individuals.

Step 2: Start with Official State Tools

Each U.S. state maintains its own unclaimed property system—search where you’ve lived, worked, or had accounts.

This national site searches most U.S. state databases at once—free and government-endorsed. You can also search state specific databases from our Unclaimed Property Information Hub.

Some states don’t participate in national searches, so check each one’s official unclaimed property site directly.

Try maiden names, nicknames, initials, and even old business names to ensure a thorough search.

Step 3: Go Beyond State Systems

Some funds never make it to state databases—search federal and private sources directly.

You can also search more than a dozen federal and alternative unclaimed databases from our Unclaimed Property Information Hub.

Step 4: Prepare to File a Claim

Once you’ve found a match, gather the documentation you’ll need to prove your right to the funds.

Expect to submit government-issued ID, Social Security number, and address linked to the asset.

If claiming for someone else, you may need a will, trust document, or death certificate.

Only file claims through official government websites—most states do not charge a fee.

Step 5: Stay Organized and Follow Up

It can take time to process claims. Remember to track your efforts and set reminders.

Log all the states and federal sites you’ve searched to avoid missing one or duplicating efforts.

If you haven’t heard back in 30–60 days, check your claim status or call the office directly.

Unclaimed items are added over time—repeat the search periodically, especially after life events.

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The average estate takes 570 hours to administer.

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