Georgia Unclaimed Property: How to Search and Claim

A paycheck you never cashed, a utility deposit from an old apartment, a refund that went to the wrong address. When a business can’t reach you, Georgia law eventually makes it send that money to the state. The Georgia Department of Revenue, Unclaimed Property Program keeps it in your name until you ask for it, and searching and claiming cost nothing [1][3].

What counts as unclaimed property

Unclaimed property is money or other assets a business holds for you after it has lost contact with you for a set time. Once the business reports it to the state, it becomes unclaimed property [5]. The Department lists examples such as uncashed checks, security deposits and overpayments [1]. Its holder instructions add checking and savings accounts, unpaid wages, stock dividends and credit balances [6].

The program does not hold real estate. For a land question, contact the tax commissioner in the county where the parcel is [3].

The state is a custodian , not an owner. It holds what’s reported so owners or their heirs can claim it later [6].

How long before an account is turned over

The waiting time is called the dormancy period . In Georgia it’s 5 years for most property types, but shorter or longer for some [6]:

Before turning over an account worth $50 or more, the business must try to reach you. It sends a first-class letter to your last known address 60 to 120 days before it sends the money to the state, or a certified letter if the amount is over $10,000 [6]. If you get one of these letters and the money is yours, answer it. If you don’t, the property goes to the state, and you can still claim it there [3].

How to search

1. Go to gaclaims.unclaimedproperty.com. The Department’s search needs only a name. Add a city to narrow the results [2].
2. Try every name you’ve used. Search maiden names, old business names, and the names of relatives who have died.
3. Check other states. Georgia’s list covers only property reported to Georgia. For other states, the Department points to unclaimed.org [3].
4. Search again from time to time. Businesses send their yearly reports by November 1 [6], so new names keep appearing.

If a business tells you it sent your money to Georgia but you can’t find it, you can email the program with the owner’s name, the business that reported it, and the amount [4].

How to file a claim

A few things to know before you file:

• No direct deposit. Georgia can’t pay claims electronically, so make sure your mailing address is current [4].
• Stock is usually sold first. Shares received after July 1, 2024, are sold when they arrive, so you get the cash. If unsold shares are returned, you’ll need a brokerage account, and giving its number with your claim avoids delays [3].
• No tax forms. The program doesn’t issue tax documents for returned property. Ask a tax professional if you’re unsure whether you owe anything [3].
• Helping someone else? Department staff will only discuss another person’s claim if you send a signed Unclaimed Property Power of Attorney, Form UP-1061 [5].

Claiming for a relative who has died

Heirs and estates can claim a deceased owner’s property. On the search site you can search for the estate using the person’s name, plus their Social Security number or the estate’s federal tax ID (FEIN ) [2].

An estate claim can’t be finished fully online. You’ll need to send a printed claim form, and the Department may ask for more documents to show who is entitled to the money [2]. The Department doesn’t publish a single checklist for heirs, so read the instructions on your claim form closely, and call 855-329-9863 if you aren’t sure what to send [2][9].

Finders and their fees

A finder may contact you offering to recover your money for a share of it. You don’t need one: using a finder is not required, and the state returns property for free [3]. Georgia’s rules for finders, which the Department calls Claimant Designated Representatives:

• They must register. Since July 1, 2024, finders who offer location services must register with the Department of Revenue [8].
• The fee is capped at 30% of the property’s value, unless a court orders more or the finder bought the property from you [7].
• They must use the state’s agreement forms. A claim filed without the standard forms is void. Extra terms are allowed only on claims over $2,000, on a state addendum that gives you a chance to dispute them [7].
• Mailers must say what they are. A finder’s solicitation must carry, in capital letters: “THIS IS A SOLICITATION. THIS IS NOT A BILL OR OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT DOCUMENT.” [7]
• You win a tie. If you and a finder file complete claims for the same property on the same day, your claim comes first [7].

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