To enhance the states' outreach efforts to locate lost owners, MissingMoney.com, a national database, was established in November 1999 by the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA). MissingMoney.com enables owners to perform comprehensive searches for lost assets required by law to be turned over to the states.
MissingMoney.com and its contents and related services are operated by ACS Unclaimed Property Clearinghouse, "ACS".
ACS, is the leading provider of unclaimed property support services to state governments. Currently, ACS contracts with 44 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico to provide services related to the identification, collection and remittance of unclaimed property. Since 1984, ACS has administered its compliance programs through which compliance is facilitated for corporations in possession of past-due unclaimed property.
Missing Money Match Tips
I've found a match. Will I get the money? Most states send you an acknowledgement letter shortly after receiving your claim. If you are found to be the rightful owner, then the state will issue a check directly to you. For instructions on how to file a claim, see the claim form and instructions on this site, or you can contact your state to have a claim packet mailed to you.
I've found a match. I'm not sure if it's mine. What do I do? Follow the instructions provided on this site or by your state. All items require proof of ownership. Be sure to provide additional documentation as requested.
I've found a match. What happens next? You should complete the State claim form by following the instructions provided. Most states require you to provide specific types of identification to validate the claim. The claim form and id are then mailed to the state for review. They will respond to you directly after they have reviewed your submission and verified that you are the rightful owner. If the state validates your claim, the funds will then be turned over to you. (Most states will not tell you the exact amount of the property, until they validate your claim).
I've found a match. When do I get the money? Most states send you an acknowledgment letter after receiving your claim. Claims processing time frames vary from state to state and property to property based upon claim activity. Please be patient.
I didn't find a match. Does this mean I do not have missing money? No. Many states are in the process of joining MissingMoney.com and their unclaimed property records may not be available today. Also, some states may have a year delay in listing unclaimed property records. You should return to this site monthly as records are continually updated.
I've found a match. I'm not sure if it's mine. What do I do? Follow the instructions provided on this site or by your state. All items require proof of ownership. Be sure to provide additional documentation as requested.
I've found a match. What happens next? You should complete the State claim form by following the instructions provided. Most states require you to provide specific types of identification to validate the claim. The claim form and id are then mailed to the state for review. They will respond to you directly after they have reviewed your submission and verified that you are the rightful owner. If the state validates your claim, the funds will then be turned over to you. (Most states will not tell you the exact amount of the property, until they validate your claim).
I've found a match. When do I get the money? Most states send you an acknowledgment letter after receiving your claim. Claims processing time frames vary from state to state and property to property based upon claim activity. Please be patient.
I didn't find a match. Does this mean I do not have missing money? No. Many states are in the process of joining MissingMoney.com and their unclaimed property records may not be available today. Also, some states may have a year delay in listing unclaimed property records. You should return to this site monthly as records are continually updated.
Missing Money Claim Tips
What is a claim? When you find a match, you must complete a claim form. Most states require a specific form which asks pertinent information about the property and proof of ownership, such as copies of checkbook, passbook, bonds, etc.
How do I file a claim? Follow the instructions to complete the form and supply any necessary documentation and identification. These are then mailed to the appropriate state for processing. Please be patient.
What do I do if I have questions about a claim that I've already submitted? Contact the state where you mailed your claim. Remember due to claims processing activity and significant work done to ensure funds are returned to rightful owners, you must allow ample time for your claim to be processed.
What type of documents do I need to claim my money? These are covered in the claim instruction form on this site and may include copies of checkbooks, wills, bonds, social security numbers, previous address information, etc.
How do these accounts or property become unclaimed? Often the owner forgets the account exists, moves and does not leave a forwarding address. In some cases, the owner dies and the heirs have no knowledge the property exists.
Why do States have unclaimed property laws? Laws were enacted to prevent business owners from using your money and taking it into their income.
What attempts are made to find owners? Most states require businesses to send a notice to the last known address informing you that your account will be transferred to the state for safe keeping. Most states publish the names of missing owners in county newspapers in an effort to return unclaimed property.
Do I get interest on my unclaimed property? Most states pay interest on interest bearing accounts only such as a savings accounts, however you should check with your state's unclaimed property department for specific information.
How do I file a claim? Follow the instructions to complete the form and supply any necessary documentation and identification. These are then mailed to the appropriate state for processing. Please be patient.
What do I do if I have questions about a claim that I've already submitted? Contact the state where you mailed your claim. Remember due to claims processing activity and significant work done to ensure funds are returned to rightful owners, you must allow ample time for your claim to be processed.
What type of documents do I need to claim my money? These are covered in the claim instruction form on this site and may include copies of checkbooks, wills, bonds, social security numbers, previous address information, etc.
How do these accounts or property become unclaimed? Often the owner forgets the account exists, moves and does not leave a forwarding address. In some cases, the owner dies and the heirs have no knowledge the property exists.
Why do States have unclaimed property laws? Laws were enacted to prevent business owners from using your money and taking it into their income.
What attempts are made to find owners? Most states require businesses to send a notice to the last known address informing you that your account will be transferred to the state for safe keeping. Most states publish the names of missing owners in county newspapers in an effort to return unclaimed property.
Do I get interest on my unclaimed property? Most states pay interest on interest bearing accounts only such as a savings accounts, however you should check with your state's unclaimed property department for specific information.
Missing Money Search Tips
How do I perform a search? Just enter your name and click
Can I search for myself, my family or a business? You can do an individual, family or business search. An individual search is based upon your last name (current or prior name) and your full or partial first name. A family search only requires last name. The Business search just requires entering your business name in the last name field.
Who can I search for? Anyone. However, you may only file a claim for property that belongs to you or for which you are the legal heir. If you are a business owner, you may also file on behalf of your business.
What if I have a common name? Our web site will return a maximum of 200 results per search. You can narrow down your search results by specifying the City and/or State where you have lived. See "Advanced Search" and "Exact Match" below.
Advanced Search You can restrict the records you are interested in searching by selecting a single State from the list. You can also filter the results to only show records where the city begins with some value. These are all very useful to filter results for common names.
Exact Match You can turn this feature on by clicking the 'Exact' check box on the Search Results page. (This option is only available after you have performed a search, it is not available from the Home Page). With this checked, it will only return records where the entire first and last name match what you enter. With this option turned off (blank in the check box), then records with a similar first name will also appear in the list.
Save Time, Set Up Profiles You can set up Profiles for yourself, your family and your friends (remember to include any maiden or previous names). To set up search profiles click on the "Create / Maintain Profiles" menu option under 'My Profiles' to add additional profiles. If you are not signed in or not yet a member, click on the "Log In" or "Join" option under 'My Profiles'.
Can I search for my deceased family members? Yes you can. Join as a member and set up a profile for each family member you would like to search. Only the rightful heir can claim the property.
How often can I search? You may search as often as you like.
What if I don't see my property listed? Link to the non-participating state websites from our homepage, click 'State Contact Information' on the left hand side of the home page. On the next page you will see a US Map, click on the state that you wish to search and you will link to that state's Unclaimed Property Page enabling you to search there directly. You should also try searching the federal agency web sites by linking from our 'Other Links'. Also, try checking back with MissingMoney.com monthly as new states and new records are continually added.
When is the information updated? Unclaimed property records are continually updated in the MissingMoney database. If you don't find your missing money today, remember to come back and check often.
How long does it take to receive my money? Claims processing time frames vary from state to state and by property type based upon claim activity. (Usually between 4 - 16 weeks)
How do I find out about the status of my claim? Once a claim has been filed with the state, the state is responsible for your paper work. All specific questions should be address directly to the state in which your claim has been filed.
How do I know if the match listed is mine? Is this a state that you may have resided in? Do you recognize the name of the company listed? Remember, you will need to submit proof that you are eligible.
Can I search for myself, my family or a business? You can do an individual, family or business search. An individual search is based upon your last name (current or prior name) and your full or partial first name. A family search only requires last name. The Business search just requires entering your business name in the last name field.
Who can I search for? Anyone. However, you may only file a claim for property that belongs to you or for which you are the legal heir. If you are a business owner, you may also file on behalf of your business.
What if I have a common name? Our web site will return a maximum of 200 results per search. You can narrow down your search results by specifying the City and/or State where you have lived. See "Advanced Search" and "Exact Match" below.
Advanced Search You can restrict the records you are interested in searching by selecting a single State from the list. You can also filter the results to only show records where the city begins with some value. These are all very useful to filter results for common names.
Exact Match You can turn this feature on by clicking the 'Exact' check box on the Search Results page. (This option is only available after you have performed a search, it is not available from the Home Page). With this checked, it will only return records where the entire first and last name match what you enter. With this option turned off (blank in the check box), then records with a similar first name will also appear in the list.
Save Time, Set Up Profiles You can set up Profiles for yourself, your family and your friends (remember to include any maiden or previous names). To set up search profiles click on the "Create / Maintain Profiles" menu option under 'My Profiles' to add additional profiles. If you are not signed in or not yet a member, click on the "Log In" or "Join" option under 'My Profiles'.
Can I search for my deceased family members? Yes you can. Join as a member and set up a profile for each family member you would like to search. Only the rightful heir can claim the property.
How often can I search? You may search as often as you like.
What if I don't see my property listed? Link to the non-participating state websites from our homepage, click 'State Contact Information' on the left hand side of the home page. On the next page you will see a US Map, click on the state that you wish to search and you will link to that state's Unclaimed Property Page enabling you to search there directly. You should also try searching the federal agency web sites by linking from our 'Other Links'. Also, try checking back with MissingMoney.com monthly as new states and new records are continually added.
When is the information updated? Unclaimed property records are continually updated in the MissingMoney database. If you don't find your missing money today, remember to come back and check often.
How long does it take to receive my money? Claims processing time frames vary from state to state and by property type based upon claim activity. (Usually between 4 - 16 weeks)
How do I find out about the status of my claim? Once a claim has been filed with the state, the state is responsible for your paper work. All specific questions should be address directly to the state in which your claim has been filed.
How do I know if the match listed is mine? Is this a state that you may have resided in? Do you recognize the name of the company listed? Remember, you will need to submit proof that you are eligible.
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