Property types
Unclaimed Paychecks & Wages
Updated July 25, 2026
When you change jobs, a final paycheck, an unused expense reimbursement, a bonus, or a sales commission can slip through the cracks — especially if you moved and payroll mailed the check to an old address. After a short dormancy period (often just one year for wages, one of the shortest of any property type), your former employer must turn that money over to the state as unclaimed property.
It sits there, in your name, until you claim it — for free. Search your name to see if an old employer reported wages you never received.
How wages become unclaimed property
Payroll departments write off checks that are never cashed, but the money still belongs to you. Common ways it happens:
- A final paycheck mailed to an address you had already left
- A bonus or commission paid after you moved on
- Unused expense reimbursements or per-diem
- Payroll from a staffing agency or seasonal job you forgot about
- A check from an employer that was later acquired or went out of business
What it looks like in the records
In state databases this property is usually labeled wages, payroll, salary, or commissions, and the holder is your former employer (or its payroll processor). If you are not sure of the exact company name, search by your name alone and scan the holders.
How to find and claim unpaid wages
Search your name — and any maiden or former name — across state records, then follow the state's claim process. It is free; ignore anyone who wants a cut. See how to claim unclaimed property for the step-by-step, and is it really free? before paying a finder.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a paycheck from a job I left years ago?
Yes. There is no deadline to claim unclaimed wages. Once an employer reports an uncashed check to the state, it is held indefinitely until you claim it.
What if the company went out of business?
You can still claim it. The wages were turned over to the state before or during the closure, and the state — not the company — pays you.
How long before an unpaid paycheck becomes unclaimed property?
Wages have one of the shortest dormancy periods — often about one year — after which the employer must escheat the funds to the state.
Ready to check for money in your name?
Search your name free across millions of records, or browse by state.