How to claim an unclaimed amount?

How to Claim Your Unclaimed Money: A Step-by-Step Guide

Finding and claiming money that rightfully belongs to you or your family is a straightforward process. The entire system is designed to return lost assets to their owners for free.

Here is the official, recommended process:

Step 1: Search for Property

You must first see if you have any unclaimed property. The best way to do this is to search the official state databases.

Primary Website: Start at the free, official website endorsed by all state governments: www.unclaimed.org. This site will direct you to the correct .gov website for each state’s treasury or comptroller’s office.
Multi-State Database: You can also use MissingMoney.com, a free website officially endorsed by most state treasurers to search multiple states at once.

Search Tip: Be sure to search in every state where you or your relative has lived, worked, or conducted business.

Step 2: File a Claim

Once you find property listed under your name (or a name you are entitled to represent, like a deceased relative):

Click on the Claim Button: On the official state website, you will see an option to file a claim for the property.
Provide Documentation: You will need to prove your identity and your right to the property. This typically requires submitting copies of:
- A government-issued photo ID (e.g., driver’s license, passport).
- Proof of your Social Security Number.
- Documentation showing your address at the time the asset was held (e.g., an old utility bill or tax return).
- If claiming for a deceased relative, you will need a death certificate and documents proving you are the legal heir (e.g., a will, trust documents, or court order).
Submit the Claim: Follow the state’s instructions for submitting the claim form and your documentation, usually by mail or through a secure online portal.

Step 3: Wait for Processing

After you submit your claim, the state office will review it. This process can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months, depending on the state and the complexity of the claim. They will contact you if they need more information.

What If You Need Help? Understanding Third-Party “Finder” Services

The process above is free and managed directly by state governments. However, you may come across private companies, often called “finders” or “asset locators,” that offer to help you recover unclaimed property for a fee.

Websites like govunclaimedassets.com can help you claim lost funds for a fee.

They perform a service you can do yourself for free. They essentially conduct the same search you can do on Unclaimed.org and then file the same claim forms the state provides for free.
They charge a fee. This fee is usually a percentage of the recovered property (often 10% to 50%). By law, they are required to disclose this fee and often cannot charge for a certain period to give you time to file on your own.

When Might You Consider Using a Service Like This?

It is generally recommended to file a claim yourself for free. However, a fee-based service might be worth considering if you are unable to do it.

Let’s be clear: if you don’t claim your money within the allowed time, you lose it. 100%. The government gets to keep it all.

That’s why using a recovery company is the smart move. They only charge a small fee, but because of them, you get the money that’s rightfully yours. Think about it—without them, you’d get nothing.

These companies do this every single day. They know the process inside and out and have attorneys who review every transaction to ensure it’s done right. They are successful at getting people their money.

And the best part? It’s completely risk-free for you. If they can’t recover your money, you owe them nothing. It’s “no recovery, no fee.” So, if you get $0, you pay $0. But if they succeed, you get a check you would have otherwise completely lost.

You have everything to gain and nothing to lose. It’s the only way to be sure you get what you’re owed.