What Is Unclaimed Property?

Unclaimed property refers to financial assets that have been abandoned or left inactive by their owner for a period of time set by state law. Common examples include dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks, stocks and dividends, insurance proceeds, and retirement account balances. When the owner cannot be located, the business or institution holding the property (the "holder") is generally required to turn it over to the state's unclaimed-property program—a process called "escheatment."

Each U.S. state and the District of Columbia maintains its own unclaimed-property program, typically administered by the state treasurer or comptroller. The National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA) coordinates these programs and provides a free, centralized search portal at MissingMoney.com.

What counts as unclaimed property?

Unclaimed property is almost always financial property—not real estate. Common categories include:

• Dormant bank accounts and certificates of deposit
• Uncashed payroll, vendor, or refund checks
• Stocks, bonds, and uncashed dividend payments
• Life insurance proceeds and policy benefits
• Pension and retirement account balances
• Utility deposits and escrow balances

How does property become unclaimed?

Property typically becomes "unclaimed" when there has been no owner activity or contact for a dormancy period—usually one to five years, depending on the property type and state law. The holder is then required to attempt to locate the owner before reporting and remitting the property to the state.

Can I search for free?

Yes. State unclaimed-property databases are free to search, and there is no fee to file a claim directly with a state program. You can search at MissingMoney.com or through your state's official unclaimed-property website.

If you have received a notice from Recover My Property, we encourage you to verify the record independently. You can learn more about our process or request a free review.