How-To
How to Find Unclaimed Money in Your Name (Free, Step by Step)
Updated July 24, 2026
Finding unclaimed money is free and takes only a few minutes. The key is to search thoroughly: by every name you've used, in every state you've lived in, and with fuzzy matching that catches misspellings. Here's how.
Step 1: Search your name
Start by searching for your name here. Our search covers state unclaimed-property records with fuzzy matching, so "Jon Smith" also finds "John Smyth." Try your full name, then just your last name plus a city to widen the net.
Step 2: Search every name variation
Money is reported under the exact name a company had on file, which is often outdated. Search each of these:
- Maiden names and previous married names
- Nicknames and shortened forms (Bob, Liz, Mike)
- Your name with and without a middle initial
- Misspellings a company might have made (our fuzzy match helps here)
- A deceased relative's name, if you're an heir
- Business names for any company you've owned
Step 3: Check every state you've lived in
Unclaimed property is held by the state of your last known address, so a move can leave money behind. Browse by state to check each one — an old employer in another state, a college-town bank account, or a utility deposit can all end up in a different state's program.
Step 4: File your claim
Found a match? Great — the next step is proving it's yours. Our step-by-step claim guide covers the documents you'll need and how long payment takes. And before anyone offers to "recover" it for a fee, read is it really free?
Frequently asked questions
How do I find unclaimed money in my name for free?
Search your name (and every variation of it) in each state's unclaimed-property database. You can search millions of records for free here, then file your claim directly with the state at no cost.
Why would I have unclaimed money I don't know about?
Companies lose track of people after a move, a name change, or an address typo. The money is reported under your old name or address, so you never got the notice.
Do I need to pay to search for unclaimed money?
No. Searching and claiming are always free through the official state programs. Anyone charging an upfront fee to search is unnecessary.
Ready to check for money in your name?
Search your name free across millions of records, or browse by state.