Unclaimed property refers to property being held by an organization that has not had contact with the owner for an extended period of time. Property is usually considered unclaimed after several years, when it is turned over to the state. Banks, retailers, credit unions, utilities, corporations, insurance companies, and governmental entities are some of the many sources of unclaimed property.

Typical unclaimed property includes: Bank accounts, Insurance proceeds, Stocks, bonds and mutual funds, Safe deposit box contents, Utility and phone company deposits, Uncashed checks, such as payroll, insurance payments, or travelers checks.

The origin of unclaimed property law dates back to British common law. Abandoned land was returned to the king along with the transfer of the property rights. Today, this concept has been adopted by the states and applied to intangible property as well as tangible property, excluding real estate. The US does not take permanent title to the property but act as custodians to safeguard it for the rightful owner or their heir until claimed. In nearly every state, there is no time limitation for filing a claim although some will auction off the property after a certain amount of years.

Below is a link for the US, Canada, and Peurto Rico where for free you may find websites to search for unclaimed property in your name or your business name. Then file documents to regain it (100% free in most states). Be sure and look at regions where you lived in the past as a large part of unclaimed property is due to change of address.

Search within US, Canada, Puerto Rico

Open the link, click on "search property" on the left, choose the region you wish to search for, and then scroll down for the state or regions unclaimed property website address. (each state/region has its own site and laws with specific documents to regain unclaimed property)

Your country might have its own set of policies toward unclaimed property so be sure and let me know any free links where you may search for it.