How to Find and Claim Your Unclaimed Property
State governments currently hold over $70 billion in unclaimed property belonging to U.S. residents — the result of forgotten bank accounts, uncashed paychecks, abandoned stock dividends, unredeemed insurance policies, and old security deposits. By law, states must hold this money indefinitely and return it to the rightful owner at any time, for free. Approximately one in ten Americans has unclaimed property waiting for them. The average claim is around $1,000, but large dormant investment accounts and life insurance policies can be worth tens of thousands. Searching takes two minutes and costs nothing — and the money is truly yours to claim at any point.
Unclaimed property includes dormant bank accounts, uncashed paychecks, forgotten security deposits, unredeemed insurance benefits, unused gift cards, and abandoned stocks or mutual fund shares. Under state escheatment laws, financial institutions and businesses must transfer these funds to the state after a dormancy period — typically 3 to 5 years. States currently hold over $70 billion in unclaimed property and are required by law to return it to the rightful owner (or heir) at any time. The process is completely free and typically takes 2 to 12 weeks once a valid claim is submitted.
How to find and claim unclaimed property
Search your name on MissingMoney.com, which aggregates records from most U.S. states, or search each state's official unclaimed property database directly. Search under all name variations — maiden names, former married names, business names.
Search in every state where you've lived, worked, or had financial accounts. Property is reported to the state of the owner's last known address — if you've moved, check all previous states.
Search for deceased relatives. Unclaimed property can be inherited. Search under your parents' and grandparents' names and claim as their heir with appropriate documentation.
File a claim through the state's official website. You'll need to provide identifying information and typically a government-issued ID. Some states process claims entirely online.
Provide supporting documentation if requested — old bank statements, stock certificates, utility bills showing your former address.
Receive your payment. Most states pay claims within 30–90 days of receiving a complete claim. There is no fee and no deadline — unclaimed property can be claimed at any time.