Friends, Grammy is going to need you to stop what you’re doing and pay attention, because this one is actually fun.
You might be owed money right now – sitting in a state government account – and you don’t even know it’s there.
I’m not talking about a scam. I’m not talking about one of those sketchy emails promising you a prize. This is real, it’s legitimate, and it’s completely free to check.
It’s called unclaimed property, and every single state in the country has a database full of it.
What Is Unclaimed Property?
Unclaimed property is money or assets that belonged to you – or still belong to you – that got separated from you somewhere along the way.
Maybe a company couldn’t find you. Maybe you moved. Maybe you forgot about an old account. Life gets busy. Things get lost. That doesn’t mean the money disappears forever.
When a company loses touch with the rightful owner of funds or property, they’re legally required to hold onto it for a while – typically between one and five years, depending on the state. That waiting period is called the dormancy period.
After that time passes without contact, the company has to hand those assets over to the state. The state then holds it – sometimes for decades – waiting for you to come claim it.
Here’s the thing: the state keeps it safe, but they’re not exactly putting up billboards to tell you about it.
That’s Grammy’s job.
What Kinds of Things End Up in Unclaimed Property?
More than you might think.
I searched for myself and some of my family members in Connecticut and discovered that Wells Fargo, Capital One, State of CT, Pfizer, Walmart, Liberty Mutual, and Aldi are among the “Holders” who owe us money. Some amounts are small – a few cents to a few dollars – but others bear the coveted “OVER $100” text in the amount column.
Here’s a look at what states are holding on people’s behalf:
Financial Accounts: Old checking accounts, savings accounts, certificates of deposit (CDs), and money orders. If you ever closed a bank but weren’t sure the account was completely zeroed out — worth checking.
Uncashed Checks: Payroll checks from a former employer. Insurance refunds. Tax refunds. Dividend checks from investments. These are more common than you’d think, especially if your address changed and a check got returned.
Stocks, Bonds, and Mutual Funds: Securities can become unclaimed too – especially from employers, old investment accounts, or inherited assets.
Insurance and Benefits: Life insurance policies, annuities, and matured policies. Sometimes a beneficiary doesn’t even know a policy exists. Sometimes the insurance company just can’t find the person. Either way, those funds go to the state.
Safe Deposit Box Contents: Yes – if a safe deposit box is abandoned long enough, the bank turns the contents over to the state. That can include jewelry, coins, documents, and family heirlooms. The state typically auctions tangible items, but keeps the proceeds in the unclaimed property fund so you can still claim the value.
Other Funds: Utility security deposits, trust distributions, escrow funds, credits of all kinds, mineral royalty payments, and more. These are ones people often forget entirely.
Here’s Something a Lot of People Miss
This part is important, so Grammy is going to say it clearly:
The money follows your last known address – not where you live now.
When a company turns over unclaimed property to the state, it goes to the state on file for the owner’s last known address. That means if you lived in Ohio in 1998, moved to Florida in 2004, and never updated your address with an old bank or insurance company – that money may be sitting in Ohio right now.
This is why Grammy recommends checking every state you’ve ever lived in, not just where you live today.
It’s also why people who have moved around a lot – or who have moved from the Northeast or Midwest to warmer states – often find money waiting for them somewhere unexpected.
Is This Legitimate?
Grammy would never send you somewhere sketchy, so let me be very clear: yes, this is completely legitimate.
Every link on this page goes directly to the official state government website for that state. No third-party sites. No one asking for your Social Security number upfront. No fees to search.
One important caution: searching for your unclaimed property is free. Claiming it is free.
If anyone ever contacts you claiming they found unclaimed property for you and wants a fee or a percentage to help you claim it, that is a scam. You do not need a third party. You can do this yourself, for free, right now.
How to Search – It’s Easier Than You Think
- Find your state in the list below and click the link
- Enter your name – last is mandatory, first is usually optional
- Browse the results – look for your name, variations of your name, and names of deceased family members you may be the heir to
- Follow the claim instructions – each state has its own process, but most involve submitting some form of ID to verify you are who you say you are
If you find something, the process is usually straightforward. You fill out a form, provide proof of identity, and the state sends you a check or direct deposit. Processing times vary – some states take a few weeks, others a few months.
One More Thing Before You Search
While you’re at it, consider looking up deceased family members too. If a parent, spouse, or sibling has passed away and left behind unclaimed assets, you may be entitled to those funds as an heir. Each state has its own rules about how to handle estate claims, but it’s worth knowing the possibility exists.
Search Your State Right Now
Grammy verified every one of these links herself as of April 2026. Go find your money, friends.
Alabama: Search Alabama Unclaimed Property
Alaska: Search Alaska Unclaimed Property
Arizona: Search Arizona Unclaimed Property
Arkansas: Search Arkansas Unclaimed Property
California: Search California Unclaimed Property
Colorado: Search Colorado Unclaimed Property
Connecticut: Search Connecticut Unclaimed Property
Delaware: Search Delaware Unclaimed Property
District of Columbia: Search DC Unclaimed Property
Florida: Search Florida Unclaimed Property
Georgia: Search Georgia Unclaimed Property
Hawaii: Search Hawaii Unclaimed Property
Idaho: Search Idaho Unclaimed Property
Illinois: Search Illinois Unclaimed Property
Indiana: Search Indiana Unclaimed Property
Iowa: Search Iowa Unclaimed Property
Kansas: Search Kansas Unclaimed Property
Kentucky: Search Kentucky Unclaimed Property
Louisiana: Search Louisiana Unclaimed Property
Maine: Search Maine Unclaimed Property
Maryland: Search Maryland Unclaimed Property
Massachusetts: Search Massachusetts Unclaimed Property
Michigan: Search Michigan Unclaimed Property
Minnesota: Search Minnesota Unclaimed Property
Mississippi: Search Mississippi Unclaimed Property
Missouri: Search Missouri Unclaimed Property
Montana: Search Montana Unclaimed Property
Nebraska: Search Nebraska Unclaimed Property
Nevada: Search Nevada Unclaimed Property
New Hampshire: Search New Hampshire Unclaimed Property
New Jersey: Search New Jersey Unclaimed Property
New Mexico: Search New Mexico Unclaimed Property
New York: Search New York Unclaimed Property
North Carolina: Search North Carolina Unclaimed Property
North Dakota: Search North Dakota Unclaimed Property
Ohio: Search Ohio Unclaimed Property
Oklahoma: Search Oklahoma Unclaimed Property
Oregon: Search Oregon Unclaimed Property
Pennsylvania: Search Pennsylvania Unclaimed Property
Rhode Island: Search Rhode Island Unclaimed Property
South Carolina: Search South Carolina Unclaimed Property
South Dakota: Search South Dakota Unclaimed Property
Tennessee: Search Tennessee Unclaimed Property
Texas: Search Texas Unclaimed Property
Utah: Search Utah Unclaimed Property
Vermont: Search Vermont Unclaimed Property
Virginia: Search Virginia Unclaimed Property
Washington: Search Washington Unclaimed Property
West Virginia: Search West Virginia Unclaimed Property
Wisconsin: Search Wisconsin Unclaimed Property
Wyoming: Search Wyoming Unclaimed Property
Go Find Your Money
Grammy has been doing this long enough to know that most people assume if they were owed money, someone would have told them. That’s just not how it works. The money sits. The state waits. And people go on with their lives never knowing.
So take five minutes today. Check your current state. Check the last few places you lived. Check your late parents’ names if they’ve passed.
You might find nothing. That’s fine – it costs you nothing to look.
But you might find something that surprises you.
And if you do, I want to hear about it. Drop a comment below or send Grammy a note. We love a good treasure hunt story around here.
Grammy verified all state links in April 2026. Links are provided for informational purposes. Grammy is not affiliated with any state agency. Searching and claiming is always free – if anyone ever asks you to pay, walk away.