It’s Your Money. Go Get It.

Find Your Unclaimed Property

Sometimes, valuable assets can slip through the cracks.

If a business, financial institution, or government owes you money that you did not collect, it is considered unclaimed money or property. You may be able to file for unclaimed money owed to you or that was owed to a deceased relative if you are their legal heir.

Unclaimed property often goes unnoticed, but with the right knowledge, you can ensure that every asset finds its rightful place. (That’s your wallet.)

Table of Contents

Key Things To Know
Search State Databases
Search Federal & Other Databases
Articles
Frequently Asked Questions
Information Hub Feedback & Suggestions

Key Things To Know

It’s your money, and you can get it back: Unclaimed property includes things like forgotten bank accounts, uncashed checks, insurance payouts, utility refunds, and safe deposit box contents.
States are holding billions: Every U.S. state holds unclaimed property on behalf of rightful owners. There’s no time limit to claim most property.
It doesn’t matter how long it’s been: Property is typically turned over to the state after 1 to 5 years of inactivity. You can still claim it decades later.
No cost to claim: States will never charge you to file a claim. Be cautious of third-party companies that want to collect a fee.
Search regularly: You can search for your name (and relatives' names) via state and federal search tools below.
You may need documentation: To claim property, you’ll usually need to prove your identity and relationship to the original owner.
You can search in every state you’ve lived in: Property is typically held by the state where the business or organization was located—not necessarily where you currently live.
Businesses and nonprofits have unclaimed property too: It’s not just individuals. Organizations should also check.

Search State Databases

MissingMoney.com

Search multiple directories at once via the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrator's official MissingMoney.com portal.

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State Databases

Search state specific unclaimed property databases by selecting your state.

Search Federal & Other Databases

Unpaid Wages: Search the Department of Labor’s database for back pay an employer might owe you.
Pensions From Former Employers: Contact the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) to search for an unclaimed pension.
VA Life Insurance Funds: Search the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) database for unclaimed insurance funds.
FHA Insurance Refunds: If you had an FHA-insured mortgage, search the HUD database to see if you are eligible for a refund.
Tax Refunds: Use the IRS Where’s My Refund? search tool if you have not received your tax refund.
Stimulus Checks: If you were eligible but did not receive one of the Economic Impact Payments, you may need to file or amend a tax return for 2020 or 2021. See the IRS guidelines for filing for a recovery rebate credit.
Bank Failures: Search the FDIC database for unclaimed funds from closed financial institutions.
Credit Union Failures: Find unclaimed deposits from closed credit unions.
SEC Enforcement Funds: Search the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) database for money from an investment enforcement case.
Treasury Hunt: Use TreasuryHunt.gov to find matured savings bonds that have stopped earning interest.
U.S. Courts: Use the U.S. Courts Unclaimed Funds Locator to search for money you may be owed after a person or business declared bankruptcy.
The Department of the Interior's Bureau: The Department of the Interior's Bureau of Trust Funds Administration (BTFA) manages Individual Indian Money (IIM) accounts for Native American and Alaska Native beneficiaries.
Unclaimed Accounts: Check the Whereabouts Unknown search tool to see if you have an unclaimed account.

Articles

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is unclaimed property?

Unclaimed or “abandoned” property refers to property or accounts within financial institutions or companies—in which there has been no activity generated (or contact with the owner) regarding the property for one year or a longer period.

When does property become unclaimed?

After a designated period of time (called the dormancy period) with no activity or contact, the property becomes “unclaimed” and—by law—must be turned over to the state.

What are different types of unclaimed property?

There are many types of unclaimed property, including:

Checking or savings accounts
Stocks
Uncashed dividends or payroll checks
Refunds
Traveler’s checks
Trust distributions
Unredeemed money orders or gift certificates (in some states)
Certificates of deposit
Customer overpayments
Utility security deposits
Mineral royalty payments
Contents of safe deposit boxes
Insurance payments or refunds and life insurance policies

Is it really free to search?

There is no fee to search for and claim your unclaimed property—if you use your official state program. Each state has laws and unclaimed property programs that make this service available to its citizens. There are, however, third-party “finders” that may offer to locate and claim your unclaimed property for you. While not required to obtain your unclaimed property, these third-party services are in most cases legal. More information is provided below.

What is an unclaimed property finder or locator service?

Many businesses, sometimes called finders or locators, offer to find legitimate lost property for owners and inform them of how to obtain it for a fee—usually a percentage of the total find. Some states limit the maximum fee. Many states require finders to register within the state or regulate business activity or licensing in some way. There may even be a public listing of regulated finders within the state. Be sure to check your state’s unclaimed property finder laws for information on finders practicing within your state.

What is the National Association of State Treasurers?

The National Association of State Treasurers is a professional, nonpartisan organization that represents state treasurers and other state finance officials from across the United States. Its primary goal is to provide support, advocacy, and educational resources to help members manage state finances effectively. Their website is www.unclaimed.org.