Texas Unclaimed Property: How to Search ClaimItTexas and Get Your Money

What Texas unclaimed property includes

When a business owes you money but cannot reach you, Texas law does not let it keep the money. After a set period with no contact, the business, called the “holder,” must report the property and send it to the Comptroller. The Comptroller’s unclaimed property page lists common examples:

• Abandoned checking and savings accounts.
• Uncashed payroll, vendor, and cashier’s checks.
• Overpayments and refunds on bills, including utility deposits.
• Unredeemed gift cards, in some cases.
• Insurance proceeds and dividends.
• Oil and gas royalties and other mineral proceeds.
• Contents of safe deposit boxes.

The Comptroller says the state only takes custody. You still own the property, which is why there is generally no time limit to claim it. The Comptroller reported returning a record $422.4 million to owners in fiscal 2024, and in October 2026 said it had processed 107,405 claims since August 1, a 40% increase over the same period a year earlier.

When property is turned over to the state

How long a business waits depends on the type of property. These are the main periods in the Texas Property Code, Title 6, as published by the Comptroller.

Holders report each year by July 1 for property they held on March 1. For items worth more than $250, the holder must first try to reach you by mail or email at least 60 days before sending the property to the state. If you get one of those letters, simply contact the business to keep the money from being turned over. After the report, the Comptroller publishes notices of new owners’ names.

Searching ClaimItTexas.gov

The official search is ClaimItTexas.gov. The older ClaimItTexas.org address redirects there. Searching is free and does not require an account.

A few habits turn up more results:

• Search your last name only, then narrow by city, rather than typing your full name.
• Try every name you have used, including maiden names, misspellings, and initials.
• Search old addresses by looking at results in each city where you have lived or worked.
• Search your business name, a closed business, a church or club you managed, and relatives who have died.
• Search again each year, because new property arrives after the July 1 reports.

If you lived in other states, search those too. Our guide to unclaimed money covers multi-state searches and federal sources in one place.

Filing your claim and what to send

Once you find a property that is yours, select it and start a claim on ClaimItTexas.gov. Under Property Code 74.501, a claim must identify the specific property, follow the Comptroller’s forms and procedures, and include the documents the Comptroller asks for. The claim screen tells you exactly what to upload for your case. Typically that means:

• A copy of a current photo ID.
• Your Social Security number or taxpayer ID.
• Proof that you lived at, or are connected to, the address on the record, such as an old bill, lease, or tax form.
• For a business claim, proof that you can act for the business.
• For an heir’s claim, a death certificate and proof of your right to inherit (see below).

Small claims with a clear match can need very little. Larger claims and claims for others need more. Keep copies of everything you send. If you have questions before you file, call the Comptroller at 800-321-2274 or email unclaimed.property@cpa.texas.gov.

For general tips on keeping paperwork together, see our documents checklist.

Checks sent without a claim

Texas lets the Comptroller pay some owners without a claim form. Under Property Code 74.503, added by House Bill 1514 in 2021, the Comptroller may send money or property to a person without a claim when that person is the reported owner, the Comptroller reasonably believes the person is entitled to it, and the property is worth less than $5,000.

That means a check could arrive in the mail from the Comptroller without your asking. If you get one, you can confirm it is real by searching your name on ClaimItTexas.gov or calling the Comptroller directly. If you do not want to wait to see whether your property qualifies, file a claim yourself.

How long does a Texas claim take?

The Comptroller does not publish a guaranteed processing time on the pages we checked, and the wait depends on how complete your claim is and how many documents it needs. Simple claims by the reported owner are usually the fastest. Claims for heirs, businesses, and large amounts take longer.

The law does set some outer limits. Under Property Code 74.506, if a complete claim has not been decided within 90 days of filing, you can send the Comptroller notice by certified mail that you plan to appeal. If there is still no decision within 60 days after that notice, you can file an appeal. If your claim is denied, you have until the 61st day after the decision to appeal. Appeals are filed in district court in Travis County and must be brought within one year of filing the claim.

The Comptroller said in October 2026 that it is bringing new software and artificial intelligence into the claims process to return money faster, with more changes to be announced, so timelines may shorten.

Interest, stocks, and safe deposit items

Interest. The Texas statute and the Comptroller pages we checked do not promise interest on money while the state holds it. Expect to receive the amount the holder reported. If your property was an interest-bearing account and you believe interest is owed, ask the Comptroller before you file.

Things other than cash. Under Property Code 74.501, when a claim for property other than money is approved, the Comptroller delivers the property itself. If the state has already sold it, as it may with some securities and safe deposit box contents, you receive the sale proceeds instead. If you know a valuable item was in a box, claim as soon as you can.

Mineral proceeds. Royalties from wells are a large share of Texas unclaimed property. Owners of mineral interests, and their heirs, should search under every family name tied to the land.

Claiming for someone who died

Heirs can claim a relative’s Texas unclaimed property. Property Code 74.501 lists who the Comptroller may pay, including:

• The executor of a will who holds current letters testamentary.
• Beneficiaries under a will that has been probated or filed as a muniment of title.
• Beneficiaries under a will that was never probated, if the claim is under $10,000 and the people named in the will are the same people who would inherit without a will.
• Legal heirs under the Texas Estates Code when there was no will.
• A court-appointed administrator of the estate.
• Heirs named in a court order determining heirship.

ClaimItTexas.gov provides an Affidavit of Heirship form for many no-will cases. Plan to send a certified death certificate and papers showing your relationship. If several relatives share the right to inherit, each may need to sign or file. For large or complicated estates, a probate lawyer can help.

Finder fees and the 10 percent limit

“Finders” or “heir locators” are companies that search unclaimed property lists and offer to recover money for a cut. Texas limits what they can charge. Under Property Code 74.507, a person who tells you about property you may claim cannot contract for or collect more than 10% of the value recovered for their services, plus reasonable attorney’s fees needed to pursue the claim. For mineral proceeds, the fee cannot include a share of the underlying minerals or royalty. A finder paid by percentage also may not file the claim form on your behalf.

Because you can search and claim for free, most people do not need a finder at all. Before signing anything, look yourself up on ClaimItTexas.gov. If you do sign, read the fee carefully and make sure it is within the legal limit.

Spotting unclaimed property scams

Real unclaimed property is easy to check, which makes scams easy to spot. Watch for:

• A caller, text, or email that says you have money waiting but asks for a fee to release it. Texas charges no fee to claim.
• Requests for payment by gift card, wire transfer, payment app, or cryptocurrency.
• Pressure to act today or lose the money. Texas generally has no claim deadline.
• Websites that look like the Comptroller’s but are not on a .gov address.
• Anyone asking for your bank login or full card numbers.

The FTC warns that scammers often pretend to be from a government agency; its government impersonation guide explains the signs. Report scams at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Money Texas does not hold

ClaimItTexas.gov covers property reported to Texas only. Several other sources are worth checking:

• Other states. Use MissingMoney.com, endorsed by the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators. See our NAUPA unclaimed property guide.
• Federal money. Uncashed IRS refunds, old savings bonds, FHA refunds, and pensions are held by federal agencies, not the state. Our guide on how to find unclaimed money from the government lists each one.
• Cities and counties. Some Texas cities post their own lists of uncashed checks before turning them over to the state.

Claiming Texas unclaimed property, step by step

1. Search ClaimItTexas.gov under every name and city you have used.
2. Select each match that is yours and start a claim online.
3. Upload the documents the claim asks for, such as ID and proof of address.
4. Keep your claim number and check your email for requests for more information.
5. Follow up at 800-321-2274 if you have not heard back after about 90 days.
6. Search again next year and check other states and federal sources.

Related guides

• California unclaimed property
• Texas financial assistance
• Hardship grants in Texas
• Scam warnings

Frequently asked questions

This guide is general information, not legal advice. The Texas Comptroller decides every claim; follow its instructions and forms. National Relief Program is an independent website and is not affiliated with the Texas Comptroller or any government agency.