How to Find Unclaimed Money in Your State
A step-by-step guide to searching state unclaimed property databases and claiming forgotten money in your name.
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A step-by-step guide to searching state unclaimed property databases and claiming forgotten money in your name.
State treasurers collectively hold over $60 billion in unclaimed property. Roughly 1 in 10 Americans has a claim waiting.
No. States hold unclaimed money indefinitely until the rightful owner claims it. There is no deadline.
No. Finder services do the exact same free search you can do in two minutes. Skip the 10-30% fee.
Yes. You can claim as an heir with a death certificate and proof of relationship. Each state has its own heir claim process.
Average value · $350 average claim
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Every US state holds billions of dollars in unclaimed money — forgotten bank accounts, uncashed paychecks, old security deposits, unclaimed insurance payouts, dormant stocks, and safe deposit box contents. The average unclaimed property claim is around $350, but people regularly find thousands in forgotten 401(k)s and old insurance policies.
The best part? The search is 100% free, the claim is free, and there's no time limit. States hold this money indefinitely until the rightful owner claims it.
When a business owes you money and can't find you, they're legally required (after a few years) to turn that money over to the state treasurer. This includes:
Once the state has it, they hold it in trust for you. Forever.
Go to the official state database. Every state has one. They're all free. We link directly to each state's official page — see our unclaimed property directory.
Search every state you've ever lived in. Money stays with the state that received it, even if you've moved. College towns are especially common.
Try every version of your name. First name + last, middle name + last, maiden name, nicknames, misspellings. The database matches exactly.
Search for deceased relatives. You can claim as an heir with a death certificate and proof of relationship.
File a claim for anything that matches. Each state has a short form. You'll typically need to upload an ID and proof you lived at the address on record.
Never pay a "finder" service. You'll see ads from companies that offer to find unclaimed property for you for a 10-30% fee. They're doing the exact same free search you can do in 2 minutes. Skip them.
Don't trust unsolicited emails. If you get an email saying you have unclaimed property, go directly to your state's official database and search — don't click the link. Phishing scams frequently impersonate unclaimed property notifications.
State databases only cover part of the picture. For complete coverage, also check:
Spend 30 minutes searching every state you've lived in plus the national databases above. For most people, this is the highest hourly rate they'll earn all year. Even if you find $0 for yourself, check for your parents and grandparents — many estates have forgotten money.
Ready to start? Search your state's database now.