How To Check If You Have Unclaimed Money Owed To You

Unclaimed money is usually money that belongs to you but was never delivered—like old bank accounts, paychecks, refunds, or deposits that got lost, forgotten, or returned as undeliverable.

HowToGetAssistance.org is an informational site only; you must use official government and financial channels to search for and claim any unclaimed funds.

Fast Answer: Where To Start Your Unclaimed Money Search

To find out if you have unclaimed money, you typically need to search your name on official unclaimed property databases and then follow each agency’s claim process.

Here is a simple starting sequence that works for most people in the U.S.:

  1. Search your state’s unclaimed property website.
    Every state and Washington, D.C. has an official unclaimed property program, usually run by the state treasury or state comptroller. Search “[your state] unclaimed property” and choose the .gov result.

  2. Use the national search tool MissingMoney.com (linked by many states).
    Many state treasurers link to this multi-state tool from their official pages, but you can also go to your state site first and follow the link from there to avoid look‑alike scam sites.

  3. Check federal-related sources.
    Use official federal tools such as:

    • The FDIC unclaimed funds page for closed banks.
    • The U.S. Treasury’s TreasuryHunt for some old savings bonds and securities.
      A good hub is the official USA.gov unclaimed money page, which lists federal resources in one place: search for “USA.gov unclaimed money” or go directly to the USA.gov unclaimed money page.

  4. Search under all prior names and addresses.
    Run separate searches for maiden names, previous married names, and nickname variations, plus old addresses where you lived, rented, or worked.

  5. File a claim on each site where you find money.
    When you see a match that looks like you, select it and follow the state or agency’s claim steps, which usually include uploading or mailing ID and proof of address.
    What to expect next: processing can take several weeks or more, and payment is typically sent by check or direct deposit if approved.

Quick Summary: How To Check For Unclaimed Money

  • Start with your state’s official unclaimed property website (.gov).
  • Search under all names and past addresses you’ve used.
  • Use the federal hub at USA.gov for IRS refunds, savings bonds, and other federal-related funds.
  • Prepare proof of identity and address before filing claims.
  • Never pay a fee just to search; official searches are typically free.
  • Avoid giving your Social Security number on non‑government or non‑financial‑institution sites.

Does Unclaimed Money Search Apply To You?

Most adults should check for unclaimed money at least once, especially if any of the following are true:

  • You have moved between states or changed addresses without forwarding mail long-term.
  • You changed your name (marriage, divorce, legal name change).
  • You had old bank accounts or CDs you closed or stopped using.
  • You worked multiple jobs and might have uncashed paychecks or employer refunds.
  • You paid deposits for utilities, rentals, or cell phone contracts.
  • A relative passed away, and you might be an heir to their unclaimed property.

Unclaimed money programs do not check automatically and send you everything; you typically must search and submit a claim for each item.

Key Terms, Explained Simply

  • Unclaimed property: Money or financial assets a business or agency could not successfully return to the owner after a period of inactivity, so they turned it over to the state.
  • Escheatment: The legal process where abandoned property is transferred from a company to the state for safekeeping.
  • Claimant: The person (or heir) submitting paperwork to prove they are entitled to specific unclaimed funds.
  • Holder: The original business or institution (like a bank, insurer, or employer) that once held the money.

Understanding these phrases helps you read state websites and claim forms more confidently.

What You’ll Need Ready Before You File A Claim

You can usually search by name with no documents, but to actually claim money you’ll be asked to prove who you are and that the property really belongs to you.

Commonly required information and documents include:

  • Government-issued photo ID
    A driver’s license, state ID, or passport that matches the name on the record, or that you can link via name-change documents.

  • Proof of current or past address
    Utility bills, lease agreements, bank statements, tax returns, or official mail that shows your name and the address listed with the unclaimed funds.

  • Social Security number (SSN) or Taxpayer ID
    Often required on the claim form for identity verification, but usually not required just to search.

  • Name change documentation (if applicable)
    Marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order if the unclaimed property is under a prior legal name.

  • Estate or legal documents (if claiming for someone else)
    For a deceased relative, states commonly require a death certificate, proof of your relationship, and documents showing you are the executor, administrator, or heir.

Real-world friction to watch for: a frequent snag happens when the name matches but the address on the record is very old, and people can’t easily find proof they lived there; in that case, looking through past tax returns, old credit reports, or archived emails for bank or utility statements often helps you gather acceptable proof.

Your Next Steps: Step‑By‑Step Search And Claim Process

Because unclaimed money is handled at both state and federal levels, and rules vary by location, you’ll usually need to check a few different places. Here is a practical sequence.

1. Find Your State’s Official Unclaimed Property Site

  1. Search “[your state] unclaimed property” in your browser.
  2. Choose a result ending in .gov and referencing the state treasurer, comptroller, or revenue department.
  3. Bookmark the site for future checks.

If you’re not sure you’ve got the right office, most state sites have the word “official” somewhere on the page and will not ask for payment to search.

2. Run Your Free Search

  1. On your state site, enter your last name and first name; add city if offered.
  2. Run additional searches for:
    • Prior last names or alternate spellings
    • Middle initial vs. full middle name
    • Business name, if you owned a business

What to expect next: you’ll see a list of possible matches, with columns like name, last known address, holder (bank, employer, etc.), and estimated value range (exact amounts are often hidden until you claim).

3. Identify Likely Matches

Focus on records where:

  • The name matches closely (including middle initial and spelling).
  • The city or ZIP code matches somewhere you lived or worked.
  • The holder name looks familiar (bank you used, employer, utility, insurer).

If multiple people share your name in the same town, your date of birth or SSN (entered on the claim form, not displayed publicly) is typically used to confirm which record is yours.

4. Submit A Claim

  1. Select the property you believe is yours and click “Claim” or “File a claim.”
  2. Fill out the online claim form with your contact information and SSN or Tax ID if requested.
  3. Upload or mail requested documents (photo ID, proof of address, name change docs, etc.).
  4. Submit and note your claim number for future reference.

What to expect next: processing timelines vary by state and by claim complexity, but often range from a few weeks to a few months. Most states contact you by mail or email if they need additional information.

If you’re calling your state office, a simple script is:
“Hello, I’m calling about an unclaimed property claim. I’d like to confirm I’m using the correct official website and ask what documents you typically need for a claim under an old address.”

5. Check Federal And Other Non‑State Sources

Some money never goes to state programs and must be claimed through federal agencies or other institutions. Common examples:

  • Uncashed federal tax refunds or undelivered checks:
    Use the IRS “Where’s My Refund?” tool from the official IRS.gov site.

  • U.S. savings bonds and Treasury securities:
    Visit the U.S. Treasury’s TreasuryDirect.gov or the TreasuryHunt tool for older bonds.

  • Failed bank or credit union accounts:
    Check the FDIC (for banks) and NCUA (for credit unions) unclaimed funds pages.

The federal USA.gov unclaimed money page conveniently links to these official tools and is a safe starting point for federal-related searches.

Avoid Mistakes And Scam Warnings

Because unclaimed money involves personal data and potential payouts, scam attempts are common. Use these checks to protect yourself:

  • Searches are typically free on official sites.
    If a website charges you just to check whether you have unclaimed money, treat it with caution and look for your state’s free .gov site instead.

  • Be careful where you enter your SSN.
    It’s normal for a state treasury or a known financial institution to request your SSN on a secure claim form, but avoid entering it on unfamiliar sites or pages that are not clearly part of a government or bank domain.

  • Do not pay large “finder’s fees” without checking first.
    Some states regulate “finders” or “heir locators,” limiting what they can charge. You can almost always submit claims yourself using official sites at no cost beyond possible notary or postage fees.

  • Watch for fake phone calls or emails.
    If someone contacts you saying you have unclaimed funds and pushes you to pay a fee or share full SSN or bank details immediately, hang up or ignore the message and instead contact your state unclaimed property office directly using a phone number listed on its official .gov site.

  • State variation statement: rules, claim forms, and acceptable documents vary by state; to confirm the correct office, rely on your state’s official treasury/comptroller/revenue department website or call the main state government information line listed on that site.

If you hit a roadblock—such as not knowing which state holds the funds or being unsure of a site’s legitimacy—one practical fallback is to visit USA.gov and use its “unclaimed money” and “state government” directories to navigate to the correct official portals. Once you’ve run thorough searches in your current and past states and on the main federal tools, you can be reasonably confident you’ve checked the major sources for unclaimed money in your name.