How To Search For Unclaimed Money You Might Be Owed

Unclaimed money is often sitting in state or federal databases under old addresses, misspelled names, or closed accounts, waiting for the rightful owner to claim it.
HowToGetAssistance.org is an informational resource only; you must use official government or institutional channels to search for and claim any funds.

Typically, you search for unclaimed money by using your state’s unclaimed property website, plus a few key federal and private databases, and then submit a claim with proof of identity and ownership.

Quick Summary: Where To Look First

Start with your state’s unclaimed property office (search by legal name and any prior names).
Check old states where you lived or worked – each state keeps its own list.
Search federal-related money (tax refunds, savings bonds, VA benefits, etc.) on official .gov sites.
Look for forgotten accounts (employer retirement plans, bank failures, mortgage refunds).
Never pay a fee to “find” your money – most official searches are free.
Have ID and old addresses ready – they’re commonly required to file a claim.

1. Fast Answer: Where To Search For Unclaimed Money

You typically need to search in a few different places because there is no single national database that covers every type of unclaimed money.

Most people should start with these three steps:

Search your current state’s unclaimed property portal.
Search every other state where you previously lived, worked, or went to school.
Check targeted federal and special databases (old tax refunds, savings bonds, pensions, bank failures).

You can usually complete the basic searches online in under an hour, though submitting claims and receiving payment often takes longer and varies by agency.

2. What You’ll Need Ready Before You Search

Having basic information prepared makes it easier to both search and file claims.

Commonly needed information:

Full legal name (plus any former names or spellings).
Current mailing address and phone number.
Previous addresses (especially where you lived when the account was active).
Date of birth and last four digits of your SSN (sometimes requested on claim forms).

Documents commonly required when you file a claim (not just for searching):

Government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, state ID, or passport).
Proof of address that matches the record (old utility bill, lease, W‑2, or bank statement).
Proof of ownership or relationship (for business claims, estates, or deceased relatives – e.g., death certificate, will, court documents).

Real-world friction to watch for: people often get stuck when claim forms require proof of an old address they no longer have; in many states you can use older tax returns, pay stubs, or employer records to show you lived at that address.

Key Terms (Plain Language)

Unclaimed property: Money or financial assets that businesses or agencies are holding because the owner cannot be contacted.
Holder: The company or institution that originally had the money (bank, insurer, employer).
Escheat: The legal process where unclaimed property is turned over to the state after a set time.
Claimant: The person (or business/estate) asking to have the unclaimed money released to them.

3. Step‑by‑Step: How To Search For Unclaimed Money

Step 1: Search your state unclaimed property office

Every U.S. state and many territories have an official unclaimed property division, usually run by the State Treasurer, Comptroller, or Department of Revenue.

Find your state’s official portal.
- Search online for “[Your State] unclaimed property” and look for a result ending in .gov (for example, a state treasury or controller site).
- A trusted shortcut for many states is the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA) at MissingMoney.com, which is endorsed by many state treasurers. Some states instead link from unclaimed.org.
Run a search by name.
- Enter your last name and first name; try middle initial and common misspellings if your name is often entered incorrectly.
- In states that allow it, also search by business name if you owned a company.
Review the results carefully.
- Match results based on name + city + last known address; ignore records clearly not yours.
- If you find a record that might be yours, click through to see the type of property (e.g., utility refund, wages, bank account).
What to expect next:
- Typically you’ll be asked to start a claim online and either upload or mail copies of your ID and proof of address/ownership.
- Processing times vary by state; it can range from a couple of weeks to several months.

Step 2: Repeat the search in every state you’ve lived or worked

Unclaimed property is held by the state where the account was registered or the last known address was located, not necessarily your current state.

List the states where you had:
- Past residences (even short-term).
- Employers that issued paychecks, bonuses, or stock.
- Rental properties, utility accounts, or insurance policies.
Visit each state’s official site (again, look for .gov and references to “unclaimed property,” “escheated property,” or “abandoned property”).
Repeat the search using:
- Your current name, prior legal names, and any married/maiden names.
- If applicable, search for deceased relatives’ names if you might be a legal heir (expect to provide estate documents later).
What to expect next:
- If you find records in multiple states, you’ll typically need to file a separate claim with each state, each with its own form and documentation rules.

Step 3: Check federal and special-purpose databases

Some unclaimed money is handled at the federal level or through specific agencies, not by your state.

Common places to check include:

IRS tax refunds:
- If you never received a tax refund check or it expired, search and update your address via the IRS “Where’s My Refund?” tool on IRS.gov.
U.S. savings bonds:
- Old paper savings bonds may no longer be in your possession but may still be payable; the U.S. Treasury has search and claim information on its TreasuryDirect.gov site.
Pensions and retirement plans (old employers):
- The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC.gov) has a “Missing Participants” program for some terminated pension plans.
- For 401(k) or similar plans from past jobs, contact the former employer’s HR or plan administrator; if the company closed, check PBGC or the state unclaimed property site.
Bank failures and mortgage-related refunds:
- The FDIC.gov and sometimes HUD.gov have lookup tools for certain unclaimed funds from failed banks or specific mortgage programs.
Veterans and federal benefits:
- If you suspect unpaid VA benefits or other federal payments, contact the Department of Veterans Affairs or see VA’s official site for instructions.

Each federal program has its own rules and forms; expect to provide SSN, dates of employment/service, or account numbers when available.

4. Common Snags (and Quick Fixes)

Common snags (and quick fixes):

Name mismatch (spelling, married names):
Try multiple variations of your name, including maiden names, hyphenated versions, and common misspellings; file with proof of name change (marriage certificate, court order) if needed.
Old address proof is missing:
Look for old tax returns, pay stubs, W‑2s, school records, or bank statements that list your previous address; many states accept these as evidence.
Online form keeps timing out or erroring:
Save your claim number if it’s generated, then call or email the unclaimed property office and ask if you can mail or upload documents directly.
You’re not sure which agency to call:
Start with your state treasurer or comptroller’s unclaimed property division; staff there can usually point you to the correct federal or private program if the money is not in their database.

A simple phone script if you’re stuck:
“Hello, I’m trying to claim unclaimed property that appears to belong to me, but I’m not sure what documents you need and how to submit them. Can you tell me what you require for someone in my situation and what my next step should be?”

5. Avoid Mistakes and Scam Warnings

Because unclaimed money involves identity information and potential payouts, scams are common.

Watch for these red flags:

Upfront fees or “finder’s fees” for basic searches that are free on official sites.
Requests to send your full SSN, bank login, or debit card PIN by email, text, or social media.
Messages claiming “guaranteed” large payouts if you act immediately.
Links that do not go to an official .gov site or a clearly identified state unclaimed property program.

Safer practices:

Always start your search on official .gov sites or known state treasurer/comptroller domains.
If someone offers to help for a fee, know that most states allow you to claim property yourself for free; “heir finder” or “locator” services may be legal but are optional and should come with a written contract.
When in doubt, call the unclaimed property office directly using the phone number listed on the state’s official website, not a number in an unsolicited message.

If you’re unsure whether a site or service is legitimate, you can also dial 211 in many areas or visit your state’s consumer protection or attorney general’s office website for guidance.

Once you’ve searched your states and the main federal databases, your next step is to file claims only for records you’re confident are yours, submit the requested proof of identity and address, and then monitor mail or email from the official agency for status updates.