How to Track Down Unclaimed Money in Your Name

Finding unclaimed money usually means searching official government databases where financial institutions and agencies send money that couldn’t reach you. Most people start with their state unclaimed property office, then branch out to federal sources like the IRS and old employer retirement plans.

Quick summary: where to start today

• Main place to look: Your state unclaimed property office (usually run by the State Treasurer or Comptroller).
• First action:Search your current and past states using their official “unclaimed property” or “unclaimed funds” portals.
• Also check:IRS for tax refunds, U.S. Treasury for savings bonds, and state labor department for unpaid wages.
• You’ll typically need:Government ID, proof of address, and documents linking you to the business or account.
• What happens next: You submit a claim online or by mail; the agency reviews it, may ask for more proof, and then approves or denies the claim and issues a check or direct deposit if approved.
• Key warning: Use only official sites ending in .gov or clearly linked from a .gov site; skip any site asking for a fee to search.

1. Where unclaimed money is actually held and who handles it

In the U.S., most unclaimed money from everyday life (bank accounts, utility deposits, paychecks, insurance payouts) is held by your state’s unclaimed property program, usually under the State Treasurer, Comptroller, or Department of Revenue. Businesses are legally required to send money to this office when they lose contact with the owner for a certain number of years.

Common official touchpoints include:

• State unclaimed property office – Handles dormant bank accounts, checks, utility deposits, insurance proceeds, stock dividends, and similar funds.
• State labor or workforce agency – Sometimes lists unpaid wages or back pay owed from closed businesses.
• IRS or state tax department – Handles unclaimed or undeliverable tax refunds.
• Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) – Handles certain unclaimed or terminated private pensions.

Rules and time limits for when property becomes “unclaimed” vary by state, so the types of money and how long it sits before transfer can differ depending on where you lived or worked.

Key terms to know:

• Unclaimed property — Money or assets held by a business or agency that couldn’t reach you and were turned over to the state.
• Escheat — The legal process where abandoned property is transferred to the state for safekeeping.
• Dormant period — The length of time an account must be inactive before it’s considered unclaimed (commonly 1–5 years).
• Heir claim — A claim filed by a surviving relative or estate representative when the listed owner has died.

2. Documents you’ll typically need

Documents you’ll typically need:

• Government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, state ID, or passport, to prove you are the person claiming the money.
• Proof of current or past address, such as a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or tax bill that matches the address on the unclaimed property listing.
• Link to the original account or relationship, such as a bank statement, pay stub, insurance policy, 1099, or business document showing your name with the company holding the funds.

For name changes, agencies commonly require a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order connecting your present name to the name on the claim. If you’re claiming for a deceased person, they typically ask for a death certificate and proof you are the legal heir or executor (for example, letters of administration or a small-estate affidavit).

Because each state and agency sets its own documentation rules, you’ll usually see a list of required documents when you start the claim; gathering these before you submit can shorten review time.

3. Step-by-step: how to search and file a claim

1. Make a list of states and name variations to search

Write down:

• Every state where you’ve lived, worked, or owned a business.
• Any prior names (maiden name, previous married names, nicknames used on accounts).

Next action:Search each state separately using their official unclaimed property website or portal run by the State Treasurer, Comptroller, or Department of Revenue.

2. Find the official unclaimed property portal

Search online for “[Your State] unclaimed property” or “[Your State] treasurer unclaimed funds” and look for:

• Websites ending in .gov or clearly linked from the main state government .gov site.
• A free search tool where you enter your name and city; official sites do not charge a fee just to search.

If you’re unsure you have the right site, you can call the general number for your state treasurer or revenue department and say: “I’m trying to search for unclaimed money in my name. Can you tell me the official unclaimed property website for our state?”

3. Search using your name and city

On the state portal:

1. Enter your last name and first name, then your city if prompted.
2. Repeat searches using old addresses and different name versions (with/without middle initial, former names).

What to expect next: The system usually shows a list of potential matches with your name, last known address, and the type of property (for example, “payroll,” “savings account,” “utility refund,” or “insurance proceeds”). You select the records that look like they’re yours to start a claim.

4. Start a claim for each matching record

When you click a matching record, the site typically asks you to:

• Confirm your contact information (current address, phone, email).
• Answer identity questions or create an account on the state portal.
• Review a list of required documents for that particular claim.

Next action:Submit the online claim form or print and complete the claim form if the state requires mail-in claims. Usually you’ll be asked to upload or mail copies (not originals) of your ID and other proof.

5. Gather and submit your proof

Before you send anything, check the claim instructions carefully and gather the specific items requested, which commonly include:

1. Clear copy of your photo ID (front and back, if applicable).
2. Proof of address tying you to the address listed in the claim, like an old utility bill or tax return copy.
3. Any supporting documents connecting you to the original account (for example, a pay stub to show you worked for the employer listed).

What to expect next: After you submit, you typically receive an email or mailed confirmation with a claim number. Processing can take several weeks or longer, depending on the size and complexity of the claim and whether more documents are needed.

6. Check federal and employer-related sources

Beyond your state unclaimed property office, you can look at:

• IRS – For unclaimed or undeliverable federal tax refunds; search for information on “Where’s My Refund?” on the IRS site and follow their instructions.
• State tax department – For state tax refunds that were never received.
• U.S. Treasury – For old paper savings bonds or matured bonds; the Treasury’s official site explains how to check and claim.
• State labor/workforce agency – Some states list unpaid wages or back pay awards that couldn’t be delivered.
• Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) – For forgotten pensions from previous employers whose plans were terminated.

For these federal agencies, you typically submit a form or online request and then receive instructions about what documentation to mail or upload, similar to state claims.

7. Track your claim and respond to follow-up requests

Once your claim is in:

1. Save your claim number and any confirmation emails.
2. Check your claim status using the online portal or by calling the unclaimed property office or relevant agency listed on the government site.
3. If they request additional documents, provide exactly what they ask for as soon as you can.

What to expect next: If your claim is approved, the agency usually issues a check mailed to your current address or a direct deposit if that option is available and you chose it. If your claim is denied, they typically send a written notice explaining why and what you can do if you believe the decision is incorrect.

4. Real-world friction to watch for

Real-world friction to watch for

A common delay happens when the address on the unclaimed property listing is very old, and you no longer have bills or documents from that time period. In that case, agencies often accept alternative proof such as old tax returns, school records, employer records, or a signed statement from a landlord, but you may need to call the state unclaimed property office and ask exactly what substitute documents they will accept for that specific claim.

5. Scam warnings and where to get legitimate help

Because unclaimed money involves your identity and finances, scam activity is common, especially through unsolicited letters, calls, or texts promising “found money” for a fee. Real unclaimed property programs and tax agencies:

• Do not charge a fee to search their databases.
• Generally do not contact you by text or social media about unclaimed funds.
• Will direct you to an official .gov website or a known government phone number.

If someone offers to help “recover” your money for a large percentage or fee, they may be a paid locator; some states regulate these services and limit what they can charge, and you are usually allowed to file the same claim yourself for free through the official unclaimed property office.

For free or low-cost help:

• Contact your state unclaimed property office directly using the phone number listed on the official .gov site and ask for help submitting or documenting your claim.
• If the issue involves tax refunds or identity confusion with the IRS, contact the IRS taxpayer assistance line or a local Taxpayer Assistance Center for guidance.
• For confusion about old pensions, reach out to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or a local nonprofit consumer or financial counseling agency that deals with retirement benefits.

If you suspect a scam, hang up or stop responding, then independently look up your state’s attorney general consumer protection division or state unclaimed property office and ask whether the contact you received is legitimate before sharing any personal information.

Once you’ve done at least one official state unclaimed property search and checked any obvious federal sources (like the IRS for refunds), you’ll have taken the most effective first steps toward finding and claiming any money that might be waiting in your name.