Step-by-Step Guide to Finding Unclaimed Assets in Connecticut

Many people are surprised to learn they may have unclaimed money or property sitting with the State of Connecticut and not even know it. This can include forgotten bank accounts, old paychecks, insurance refunds, security deposits, and more.

This guide from HowToGetAssistance.org explains how people typically search for and claim unclaimed assets in Connecticut, what to expect, and how to avoid common problems. It is for information only. HowToGetAssistance.org is not a government agency, does not manage unclaimed property, and does not accept or process claims. To actually search and file a claim, you must use official Connecticut government channels.

What Are “Unclaimed Assets” in Connecticut?

In Connecticut, unclaimed assets (often called unclaimed property) usually refers to money or property that has been inactive or abandoned for a certain period of time. When a business cannot reach the owner, state law generally requires the business to send those funds to the state’s unclaimed property program for safekeeping.

Common examples include:

• Checking or savings accounts with no activity
• Uncashed paychecks or commission checks
• Utility refunds or security deposits
• Uncashed money orders or cashier’s checks
• Insurance policy benefits or refunds
• Stocks, bonds, or mutual funds (or cash from their sale)
• Safe deposit box contents turned over to the state
• Vendor or customer credits businesses never delivered

Connecticut’s unclaimed property system is custodial. That means the state holds the property for the rightful owner until they come forward and successfully claim it.

Who Can Search for Unclaimed Property in Connecticut?

Most adults can search for unclaimed assets in Connecticut at no cost. People commonly search if they are:

• Current or former Connecticut residents
• Business owners (including closed businesses)
• Heirs or executors of someone who has passed away
• People who changed names (for example, after marriage or divorce)
• People who moved frequently or lived in multiple states

You may be able to claim:

• Property in your own name
• Property in a former name (such as a maiden name)
• Property for a minor child, if you are their parent/guardian (requirements apply)
• Property owed to a deceased relative, if you are a legal heir or representative

Each type of claim may require different documents to prove identity and ownership. More on that below.

Step 1: Prepare Basic Information Before You Search

You do not usually need much to run a search, but having some information handy can make things easier.

Try to gather:

• Your full legal name (and any previous names you used)
• Common misspellings of your name
• Current and past Connecticut addresses
• Your Social Security number (you might need it later to verify a claim)
• Business name(s) (if you own or managed a business in Connecticut)

If you are searching for someone who has died, it also helps to have:

• The person’s full legal name
• Any other names they used
• Their date of birth and date of death
• Last known Connecticut address

🔎 You can usually search without creating an account, but you will generally need an account or claim form if you decide to file a claim.

Step 2: Use the Official Connecticut Unclaimed Property Search

Connecticut has an official state unclaimed property program, typically managed by the Office of the State Treasurer or another designated state office. This is usually the main place to search for unclaimed assets in the state.

How to find the official search tool

Because website addresses can change, your safest approach is to:

1. Visit the official website of the State of Connecticut or the Connecticut State Treasurer.
2. Look for a section labeled something like:
   • “Unclaimed Property”
   • “Missing Money”
   • “Treasurer – Unclaimed Property”
3. Make sure the website clearly identifies itself as an official State of Connecticut site, usually ending in “.gov” and showing official seals or contact information for state offices.

You can also call a state information line or the State Treasurer’s office and ask how to reach the official unclaimed property program.

Running a basic search

Once you’re on the official Connecticut unclaimed property search page, you can usually search by:

• Last name and first name
• Business name
• Sometimes city or ZIP code to narrow results

Tips:

• Try searching with just a last name first; then narrow it down.
• Repeat the search using maiden names, former names, or common misspellings.
• If your last name is very common, use city or middle initial when available.

If the search finds a match, you will usually see:

• The name associated with the property
• The holder (for example, a bank, insurer, or company that reported it)
• The city where the owner last lived or where the company is located
• Sometimes an approximate amount range (for example, “under $100”)

Step 3: Review Your Search Results Carefully

Look closely at each result to decide whether it might actually belong to you.

Ask yourself:

• Is the name spelled like yours (or like a former name you used)?
• Is the last known address somewhere you lived or did business?
• Is the company name familiar (your bank, employer, utility, insurer, etc.)?

You might see several similar or duplicate entries. When in doubt:

• Mark any that look like they could be yours.
• You can usually select multiple results to claim at once, as long as they belong to the same person.

If a result appears to belong to a deceased family member, you may be able to file as an heir or estate representative. That usually involves extra documentation (explained later).

Step 4: Start the Claim Process Through the Official Portal

When you select one or more items to claim, the official Connecticut system usually walks you through a claim process.

Depending on the state’s current system, you may be asked to:

1. Create an online account or provide an email address.
2. Confirm your identity details, such as legal name and date of birth.
3. Provide contact information – mailing address and phone number.
4. Answer questions about your relationship to the property (owner, heir, business representative, etc.).

You may receive a claim number. Keep this number somewhere safe so you can refer to it if you call or write the office later.

📌 Remember: You are not applying through HowToGetAssistance.org. You must use the official Connecticut portal, office, or mailing address indicated by the state.

Step 5: Gather the Documents You’ll Likely Need

To approve a claim, the Connecticut unclaimed property office typically needs proof that:

1. You are who you say you are, and
2. You are the rightful owner (or legal heir/representative).

Exact requirements can vary by claim type, amount, and circumstances, but commonly requested documents include:

For individuals claiming their own property

You may be asked for:

• Valid photo ID, such as:
  • Connecticut driver’s license or state ID
  • U.S. passport or other government-issued photo ID
• Proof of Social Security number, such as:
  • Social Security card
  • Tax form (like a W-2)
• Proof of address, especially for old addresses on file, such as:
  • Utility bill
  • Bank statement
  • Lease agreement
  • Old tax returns or pay stubs

For name changes (marriage, divorce, legal change)

If the property is under a name you no longer use, you may need documents showing the name change, such as:

• Marriage certificate
• Divorce decree
• Court order for legal name change

For heirs or estates

If you’re claiming on behalf of someone who has died, you may be asked for:

• Death certificate of the original owner
• Proof of your legal authority, which could include:
  • Letters testamentary (if you are the executor)
  • Letters of administration
  • Will and supporting court documents
  • Probate court orders
• Documents that prove your relationship to the deceased (if claiming as an heir), such as:
  • Birth certificate (for parent/child relationship)
  • Marriage certificate (for spouse)

For businesses

If you’re claiming for a business, you may be asked for:

• Business formation documents (such as articles of incorporation)
• Proof of your authority (such as corporate resolution or a letter on official letterhead)
• Tax ID number for the business

The Connecticut unclaimed property office usually lists acceptable document types on its forms or website. If you are unsure, you can contact the office directly to ask what is needed for your specific claim.

Step 6: Submit Your Claim and Supporting Documents

Depending on Connecticut’s current process, you may be able to:

• Upload scanned copies of documents through the official online portal
• Mail paper copies along with a printed claim form to the official address
• In some cases, fax documents (if the state office indicates that’s allowed)

Typical steps:

1. Complete all required fields on the claim form.
2. Sign the form – sometimes signatures must be original (ink), not electronic.
3. Attach or upload copies of identification and supporting proof.
4. Send the documents using the method the Connecticut office requests.

Some claims, especially those for higher amounts or involving estates, may require notarized signatures. Check the instructions carefully.

Step 7: Track Your Claim Status and Timelines

After you submit your claim, the Connecticut unclaimed property office typically:

• Reviews your documents
• Verifies your identity and ownership
• May ask for additional information if something is missing or unclear

Processing time can vary based on:

• Volume of claims the office is handling
• Complexity of your claim (simple name match vs. estate claim)
• Whether your documents were complete and legible

Many states offer an online status check using your claim number or email. If that’s not available or you have questions, you can contact the office using their official phone number or mailing address found on the state’s website.

If your claim is approved, the state generally issues payment by:

• Check mailed to you, or
• Direct deposit, if that option is available and you chose it

Quick Comparison: Types of Claims and Common Documents

Below is a general summary. Always follow the official Connecticut instructions for your specific claim.

*Requirements can change and may vary by situation. Always check the current instructions from the official Connecticut unclaimed property office.

Common Reasons Claims Are Delayed or Denied

Many delays and denials can be avoided by double-checking your information and documents ahead of time. Common issues include:

• Incomplete forms – missing signatures, unchecked boxes, or blank fields
• Missing ID or proof – not including proof of address, SSN, or relationship when needed
• Unclear copies – documents that are blurred, cut off, or hard to read
• Name mismatches – significant differences between your current name and the name on the property, without providing name-change proof
• Wrong claimant type – claiming as an individual when the property actually belongs to a business or estate

If your claim is denied or put on hold, the office may send:

• A letter or email explaining why
• A request for additional documentation

You can usually respond by sending the requested information through the official portal or by mail, depending on what the office instructs.

What If You Disagree With a Decision?

Connecticut may have an internal process for reviewing or appealing unclaimed property claim decisions.

Typical steps (which can vary):

1. Read the decision notice carefully – it may list a specific reason and your next options.
2. Gather any missing or corrected documents.
3. Contact the unclaimed property office using the phone number, email, or mailing address provided to ask:
   • Whether you can submit additional documentation
   • Whether there is a formal appeal or review process

If there is an appeal path, it will usually have:

• Deadlines (for example, you must respond within a set number of days)
• Instructions on where to send your appeal materials

Follow these directions exactly and keep copies of everything you send.

How Often Should You Check for Unclaimed Property?

Because unclaimed assets are turned over to the state at different times by different businesses, many people:

• Check once a year or whenever they remember, and
• Check again after big life changes, such as:
  • Moving
  • Changing jobs
  • Changing names
  • Closing a business
  • The death of a close family member

It can also be useful to search in other states where you or your relatives have lived, because unclaimed property is normally held by the state where the business is located or where the last known address was.

How to Avoid Scams When Searching for Unclaimed Assets

Because unclaimed funds can be a target for scams, it’s important to verify you are using official government channels.

Signs you’re on an official channel

• The website is clearly associated with the State of Connecticut (state seal, official contact details).
• The address usually ends with “.gov”.
• The site explains that the program is operated by the state treasurer or another official state agency.
• You are not being asked to pay a fee to search or file a basic claim.

Red flags to watch for

• People or websites asking for upfront fees to search for unclaimed money that you can easily search for yourself on state sites.
• Unsolicited emails, letters, or calls that:
  • Urge you to act “immediately”
  • Demand sensitive details like your full Social Security number without clear official identification
  • Come from generic or personal email addresses (not an official “.gov” domain).
• Websites that look unofficial or do not clearly identify which state or government office they represent.

Some legitimate “asset locator” or “finder” services do exist and may charge a percentage fee to help track down and process claims. Whether to use them is a personal choice, but it is usually not necessary for straightforward Connecticut unclaimed property claims.

If you are unsure whether a contact is legitimate:

• Call the Connecticut unclaimed property office directly using the phone number found on the official state website, not the number from the suspicious message.
• Ask the office to verify whether someone is truly working on their behalf.

What If You Don’t Find Anything in Connecticut?

If your search in the official Connecticut database shows no results, you still have options:

• Double-check spellings and try different versions of your name.
• Try searching using old addresses, prior names, or partial information.
• Consider whether you might have unclaimed property in another state where you:
  • Lived or worked
  • Had bank accounts or investments
  • Held insurance policies

You can search other states’ official unclaimed property websites by visiting each state’s treasurer or unclaimed property page. There are also national tools that help you find the correct state program, but you should always confirm that any site you use is clearly tied to official state agencies.

If you still believe you should have unclaimed funds in Connecticut but see nothing in the database, you can contact the state unclaimed property office to ask whether:

• The property has been reported yet
• There are other ways to search, especially for older or very small amounts

By following these steps through the official Connecticut unclaimed property program, many people are able to locate and claim funds that belong to them or their families. HowToGetAssistance.org cannot view, search, or process claims on your behalf, but you can use this guide to better understand the process and approach the correct Connecticut state offices with confidence.