How to Find Unclaimed Money in Your Name: Where to Look and What to Do

Unclaimed funds usually sit with state unclaimed property programs, the U.S. Treasury, or other official agencies when money couldn’t be delivered to you. To find it, you typically have to search several specific locations (mostly government portals) and then file a claim with proof that you’re the rightful owner.

Below is a practical, location-focused guide so you can start checking today.

Quick summary: where unclaimed funds usually are

Most common official locations to check:

  • Your state’s unclaimed property office (for old bank accounts, checks, insurance, utilities)
  • Other states’ unclaimed property portals where you used to live or work
  • U.S. Treasury / federal systems (for savings bonds, some federal payments)
  • Tax agencies (IRS and state tax departments for unclaimed or returned refunds)
  • Pension and retirement plan search tools (for old job-based plans)
  • Courts or bankruptcy trustees (for settlement or refund checks)

Rules, claim forms, and processes vary by state and agency, but the search itself is usually free and can be done online on official .gov portals.

Key places to look for unclaimed funds

Your first step is to understand which official systems typically hold unclaimed money and what types of funds they manage.

  1. State unclaimed property office (main stop for most people)
    Every state, plus Washington D.C. and U.S. territories, has an official unclaimed property program (often run by the state treasurer or state comptroller).

    • Typically holds: old bank accounts, payroll checks, insurance proceeds, utility refunds, safe deposit box contents, and store credits that businesses turned over after losing track of you.
    • Action: Search for your state’s official unclaimed property portal (look for a site ending in .gov).

  2. Other states where you’ve lived or worked
    Unclaimed funds are usually held by the state where the company is located or where your last known address was.

    • If you moved states, worked remotely, went to college out of state, or previously lived elsewhere, you should search each state’s official unclaimed property site separately.

  3. Federal Treasury and related systems (not run by states)
    Some funds never go to a state program and stay at the federal level.

    • Common examples: U.S. savings bonds that were never cashed, some federal benefit overpayments or refunds, and certain federal class action or restitution payments.
    • Action: Search for official U.S. Treasury and federal payment locator tools (again, only on .gov sites).

  4. IRS and state tax agencies
    Uncashed or returned tax refunds are often held by tax agencies, not state unclaimed property offices.

    • If you moved after filing taxes, your check may have been mailed back.
    • Action: Search for the IRS refund status tool and your state’s Department of Revenue or Taxation website to check for unclaimed or reissued refunds.

  5. Retirement plans and pensions
    If you left a job and never rolled over your retirement plan, or you had a small pension benefit, that money may be sitting with:

    • The plan administrator,
    • A federal tracing program that handles pensions from terminated plans, or
    • A state unclaimed property program if it was turned over.
      Action: Use official pension tracing or retirement benefit search tools and also search your old employers’ states’ unclaimed property databases.

  6. Courts and bankruptcy cases
    Certain class action settlements, probate funds, or bankruptcy distributions that were never claimed may be held by:

    • Federal or state court clerks,
    • Bankruptcy trustees, or
    • State unclaimed property programs (if turned over).
      Action: Contact the clerk’s office for any court that sent you notices or search for official unclaimed funds pages for federal courts.

Key terms to know:

  • Unclaimed property — Money or property businesses/governments must turn over when they can’t find the owner after a set time.
  • Escheatment — The legal process where unclaimed property is transferred to the state.
  • Holder — The company or agency that originally had your money before handing it to the state or court.
  • Claimant — You (or your legal representative) when you apply to get the unclaimed funds back.

How to start your search today (step-by-step)

1. List where you’ve lived, worked, and done business

Before you start searching portals, make a short list of:

  • States where you’ve lived,
  • States where you’ve worked (including remote work),
  • Names you’ve used (maiden names, former married names, spelling variations), and
  • Any old employers, banks, or insurance companies you remember.

This list will guide which official locations to check.

2. Search your current state’s unclaimed property portal

  1. Search for your state’s official unclaimed property site using terms like “unclaimed property” and your state name, and make sure the website ends in .gov.
  2. On the site, find the “Search” or “Find unclaimed property” section.
  3. Enter your last name and first name; try variants (middle initials, prior names).
  4. Review the results for your name and address or old addresses you recognize.

What to expect next:
Most state sites let you start a claim online for each item you think is yours by clicking a button like “Claim,” “File a claim,” or “Start claim.” You’ll typically be asked basic contact details and how you’re related to the property (owner, heir, representative).

3. Repeat the search for every other relevant state

  1. Using your list, search each additional state’s official unclaimed property site (again, only .gov).
  2. Enter the same variations of your name and prior addresses.
  3. Start claims for any results that clearly match you.

What to expect next:
You’ll usually get an online confirmation or a claim number. Some states send an email with instructions or ask you to print and mail a signed claim form with your documents.

4. Check tax, federal, and retirement locations

  1. Tax refunds:

    • Visit official IRS and state tax agency .gov sites and look for “refund status” or “unclaimed refunds.”
    • Enter your information as requested to see if a refund was issued or returned.

  2. Savings bonds and federal-related funds:

    • Use the U.S. Treasury’s official tools to search for uncashed savings bonds or payments.

  3. Retirement/pensions:

    • Search official pension benefit and retirement plan locator tools (often hosted or linked by federal agencies).
    • Also search state unclaimed property for old 401(k) or pension distributions turned over by employers.

What to expect next:
Federal and pension systems might ask you to create an account, mail in a form, or contact a plan administrator. Processing can take weeks or longer, and no specific timing or outcome is guaranteed.

Documents you’ll typically need

To actually receive money, you usually must prove your identity and your connection to the old address or account.

Documents you’ll typically need:

  • Government-issued photo ID — such as a driver’s license, state ID card, or passport to prove you are the person named in the claim.
  • Proof of address or former address — like an old utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or tax document showing the address listed on the unclaimed property record.
  • Proof of ownership or relationship — examples include old bank statements, pay stubs, insurance policy documents, or for deceased owners, death certificates and probate or inheritance papers.

Some states and agencies may also ask for Social Security number verification, marriage certificates (for name changes), or business documents if you’re claiming on behalf of a company.

What happens after you file a claim

Once you’ve found potential matches and submitted claims through the appropriate official locations, there’s usually a review process.

  1. Initial review and document request
    After you submit your claim online or by mail, the state unclaimed property office, tax agency, court, or federal office will do a first review.

    • If anything is missing or unclear, they typically send a letter or email asking for specific documents or clarifications.
    • They may give a deadline by which you must respond, often 30–90 days.

  2. Verification of identity and ownership
    Staff compare your submitted documents with their records: names, Social Security or tax IDs, addresses, account numbers, and employer or policy details.

    • If names differ (for example, due to marriage), they look for name-change documentation.
    • For estate claims, they usually verify that you’re the legal heir or authorized representative.

  3. Decision and payment
    Once verified, they typically:

    • Approve the claim and issue a check or direct deposit (where allowed), or
    • Partially approve, deny, or request additional information.
      They do not guarantee processing times, and each office’s backlog is different, so expect that it may take several weeks or longer.

  4. Record updates
    After payment, the funds are removed from the unclaimed list under your name. If you search again later, that specific item will usually show as “paid” or “closed.”

Real-world friction to watch for

Real-world friction to watch for

A common snag is not having proof of an old address or name used on the account, especially if the property is from many years ago. In that case, try to gather alternate documents that show the connection, such as old tax returns, school records, or employment records, and contact the unclaimed property office or agency directly to ask what they will accept; they often have a list of substitute documents or an affidavit process you can use.

How to avoid scams and get legitimate help

Because unclaimed funds involve money and personal information, scams are common, especially from companies or individuals that contact you first.

To stay safe and on the right track:

  • Only search and claim through official .gov websites or clearly identified court/agency portals.
  • Be wary of unsolicited calls, texts, or emails promising “guaranteed” unclaimed money for a fee or asking for upfront payment or bank login information.
  • Some states allow legitimate “finders” or locators to charge a fee for helping you, but you are not required to use them; you can usually file directly with the agency for free.
  • If you are unsure whether a site or service is real, call the state treasurer’s office, state unclaimed property office, or state attorney general’s consumer protection line using numbers listed on official government sites and ask them to verify it.

If you get stuck or feel overwhelmed by the paperwork, you can reach out to:

  • A state unclaimed property office representative (often reachable via a toll-free number on the official portal).
  • A legal aid organization or nonprofit consumer counselor, especially if you’re handling unclaimed funds from a deceased relative or a complicated estate.

A simple phone script to get started: “I’m trying to claim unclaimed property I found under my name. Can you tell me which documents your office will accept and how I should submit them?”

Once you’ve identified which locations to search and gathered basic ID and address documents, your next official step is to use your state’s .gov unclaimed property portal today, start a claim for any matches, and then respond promptly to any follow-up requests from that office or related agencies.