Unclaimed Money: Practical FAQs and How to Start a Claim

Unclaimed money usually refers to funds that belong to you but were never delivered—like old bank accounts, security deposits, paychecks, or refunds that a company or agency could not get to you and was required by law to turn over to the government.

In the United States, state unclaimed property programs and, for federal items, offices like the IRS (for tax refunds) and the U.S. Treasury (for savings bonds) are the main official systems that handle unclaimed money, and you must go through their official portals or offices to claim it.

Quick summary: How unclaimed money typically works

  • Main place to check: Your state’s unclaimed property office (usually run by the state treasurer or comptroller).
  • First action today:Search your name on your state’s official unclaimed property portal and on any other state where you’ve lived or worked.
  • Typical proof required:Government-issued ID, Social Security number or tax ID, and some proof of address or relationship.
  • Common outcome: You submit a claim online, then mail or upload documents; the state reviews them and either approves, denies, or requests more proof.
  • Frequent snag: Claims are delayed because the name or address on the claim doesn’t match old records, or documents are incomplete.
  • Scam warning: Real government sites use .gov and do not charge a percentage fee just to search for your money.

1. Direct answers: What counts as unclaimed money and where is it kept?

Unclaimed money (often called “unclaimed property”) is typically money or financial assets where the owner could not be contacted for a certain number of years—such as inactive bank accounts, uncashed paychecks, insurance proceeds, utility refunds, or safe deposit box contents—and the business was required to hand them over to the government.

For most types of unclaimed money, the funds are held by your state unclaimed property program, usually inside the state treasurer’s, comptroller’s, or revenue department, which keeps the money until a verified owner submits a claim; federal items like unclaimed tax refunds are held by the Internal Revenue Service, and old U.S. savings bonds are managed by the U.S. Treasury.

Key terms to know:

  • Unclaimed property — Money or financial assets turned over to the government after a business cannot locate the owner for a legally defined time.
  • Escheat — The legal process where unclaimed funds are transferred from companies or banks to the state.
  • Unclaimed property program — The state-run office that holds and processes claims for unclaimed money.
  • Heir claim — A claim filed by a relative or representative when the original owner has died.

Rules on what types of property qualify and how long accounts must be inactive before they become “unclaimed” vary by state and situation, so the details you see on one state portal may not match another.

2. Where to go officially to search for and claim unclaimed money

Your first stop is usually your state unclaimed property office, which almost always has an online search portal where you can search by name, business name, and sometimes city.

To stay in official channels:

  • Search for your state’s official “unclaimed property” or “state treasurer unclaimed” portal and choose a site that ends in .gov.
  • For unclaimed federal tax refunds, use the IRS’s official refund tools on the IRS.gov website or call the IRS refund helpline listed there.
  • For old savings bonds or federal payments, search for the U.S. Treasury’s official customer service site (look for .gov) and follow their guidance.

Two main official system touchpoints you’ll likely use are:

  • Your state treasurer/comptroller’s unclaimed property office and online portal (for most types of unclaimed money).
  • The IRS refund assistance system (for missing or unclaimed federal income tax refunds).

If you are unsure whether a website is official, call the customer service number listed on your state government’s main site (state name plus “.gov”) and ask how to access the state’s unclaimed property search.

3. What to prepare before you start a claim

You can usually search without documents, but to actually file a claim, you’ll often be required to prove your identity and your connection to the address or account listed.

Documents you’ll typically need:

  • Government-issued photo ID — For example, a driver’s license, state ID, or passport to prove you are the person making the claim.
  • Proof of Social Security number or tax ID — Such as a Social Security card, W-2, or tax return that clearly shows your SSN or ITIN.
  • Proof of address or account relationship — For example, an old utility bill, lease, bank statement, or insurance policy showing your name and the address or account linked to the unclaimed funds.

For heir or estate claims, programs commonly ask for extra documents such as a death certificate, letters of administration, or will/probate documents showing your legal right to claim on behalf of the owner.

Before you apply, it helps to write down:

  • All former names you’ve used (married, maiden, hyphenated).
  • All addresses where you’ve lived or received mail in the last 10–20 years.
  • Any old employers, banks, or insurance companies you had accounts or policies with.

4. Step-by-step: How to search and file a typical unclaimed money claim

4.1 Basic claim steps through a state unclaimed property office

  1. Search the official state portal for your name.
    Go to your state’s official unclaimed property portal (look for .gov), type your last name and first name, and optionally add a city; repeat this for every state where you’ve lived, worked, or done business.

  2. Review search results and select potential matches.
    For each listing, check the name, last known address, business name, and property type; if it appears to be you, select or “add” it to your claim basket.

  3. Start a claim and enter your current contact information.
    The portal will usually ask for your current address, phone, email, date of birth, and sometimes SSN (last four or full); enter this carefully, because approval notices and checks will go here.

  4. Upload or mail required documents.
    You’ll typically be prompted to upload scans or mail copies of your ID, proof of SSN, and proof of address/relationship that match the unclaimed record; follow the portal’s instructions on acceptable formats and where to send paper copies.

  5. Submit the claim and save your confirmation.
    When you submit, you usually receive a claim number on-screen and by email; write this down because you will need it to check your status or respond to questions.

  6. What to expect next.
    The unclaimed property office typically reviews your documents, compares them to the original holder’s records, and then either approves the claim and issues a check, asks for more proof, or denies the claim with a reason; processing can take anywhere from a couple of weeks to several months depending on the office’s workload and how complete your documents are.

4.2 If your claim involves a deceased relative

When the owner is deceased, the claim process typically adds:

  1. Indicate that the owner is deceased when you select the property.
  2. Provide a certified copy of the death certificate and any probate or estate letters showing who has legal authority.
  3. Expect additional review, sometimes by a legal or estate specialist within the unclaimed property office, and possible requests for family tree information or additional legal documents clarifying heirship.

5. Real-world friction to watch for

Real-world friction to watch for

One common delay is when the name or address on your documents does not exactly match the unclaimed record (for example, a maiden name, nickname, or a very old address you no longer have paperwork for), and the office pauses your claim while they request additional proof. To move things along, respond quickly to any follow-up request and, if you lack old documents, ask the unclaimed property office what alternative proofs they will accept, such as employer letters, tax records, or notarized statements.

6. Staying safe, getting help, and what to do if you’re stuck

Because unclaimed money involves identity and funds, be careful about who you share information with and which sites you use.

Scam and safety tips:

  • Never pay just to search for unclaimed money; official state and federal searches are typically free.
  • Be cautious with companies that offer to “find your money” in exchange for a percentage fee; in many states this is regulated and they must be licensed, and you still have the option to claim directly for free.
  • Only enter personal data (SSN, ID numbers) on official .gov sites or via phone/fax/mail instructions from a verified government office.

If you are stuck or not comfortable online:

  • Call your state treasurer or unclaimed property office using the number listed on the state’s main .gov site and ask how to file a claim by mail or in person.
  • Some legal aid organizations and nonprofit financial counseling agencies (often certified or overseen by state attorneys general or financial regulators) can help you understand paperwork, especially for heir claims or complex estates.
  • For IRS refund issues, call the IRS phone number listed for “Where’s My Refund” help on the official IRS.gov site; be prepared for identity verification questions.

You can use a simple phone script when you call a state office:
“I believe I may have unclaimed property in this state. Can you tell me how to access the official unclaimed property search and what documents I’ll need to submit a claim?”

Your most effective next step today is to run your name through your current state’s unclaimed property portal, note any possible matches, and start at least one claim after gathering your ID, Social Security proof, and one document linking you to the listed address or account. Once you’ve submitted that first claim and have a claim number, you’ll be in the system and can track progress directly with the state office.