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

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

This guide from HowToGetAssistance.org explains, in plain language, how people typically search for and claim unclaimed assets in Florida. It is for general information only. HowToGetAssistance.org is not a government agency, not an official portal, and cannot search or file claims for you. To actually search for and claim property, you will need to use Florida’s official unclaimed property resources.

What Are Unclaimed Assets in Florida?

In Florida, unclaimed assets (often called unclaimed property) usually refer to money or property that a company or institution has been unable to return to its rightful owner for a certain period of time.

Common examples include:

• Uncashed paychecks
• Closed bank accounts with remaining balances
• Utility deposits (electric, water, cable, internet)
• Insurance benefits or refunds
• Stock dividends or securities
• Safe deposit box contents
• Refund checks from businesses or agencies
• Travelers checks or money orders

When businesses or financial institutions lose contact with the owner for a set period (often 1–5 years, depending on the type of property), Florida law typically requires them to turn that property over to the state’s unclaimed property program. The state then holds it in trust until someone files a valid claim.

Who Might Have Unclaimed Property in Florida?

Almost anyone who has lived, worked, or done business in Florida could potentially have unclaimed assets, including:

• Current and former Florida residents
• People who have moved out of state but once lived or worked in Florida
• Heirs or beneficiaries of someone who has passed away
• Small business owners who had Florida customers or accounts
• College students who once rented apartments or opened temporary bank accounts in Florida
• Service members who were stationed in the state

Signs you may have unclaimed property:

• You moved and didn’t update your address with a bank, employer, or utility.
• You changed your name (for example, after marriage or divorce).
• You forgot about a small account, deposit, or rebate.
• A relative passed away and you’re not sure if all their accounts were settled.

There is generally no fee to search for or claim your property through the official state program.

Step-by-Step: How to Find Unclaimed Assets in Florida

The basic steps are usually:

1. Gather personal information
2. Use the official Florida unclaimed property search tool
3. Review potential matches carefully
4. Submit a claim through the official process
5. Complete and return any required documents
6. Track your claim and respond to any requests

Below is a closer look at each step.

Step 1: Gather the Information You’ll Need

Before you start searching, it helps to have some key information ready. This can make it easier to spot matches and complete any claim forms.

Commonly useful details include:

• Full legal name (and any previous names)
  • Current name
  • Maiden name or prior married names
  • Nicknames or common variations (e.g., “Bob” vs. “Robert”)
• Current and past addresses in Florida
  • Street addresses
  • Cities and ZIP codes
• Social Security Number (SSN) or last 4 digits
  (Often used later in the claim process to verify identity)
• Birthdate
• For businesses:
  • Business name (and any prior names or DBAs)
  • Employer Identification Number (EIN)
  • Former business addresses in Florida

You do not usually need all of this just to search, but you may need several of these pieces of information to prove ownership if you file a claim.

Step 2: Use Florida’s Official Unclaimed Property Search

Florida typically provides an official online search portal for unclaimed property, managed by a state-level office (commonly within the Department of Financial Services or a similar agency).

To find the official search page:

• Go to the main website for your state government (for Florida, look for the state’s primary .gov site).
• Use the website’s search feature and type “Florida unclaimed property” or “unclaimed money Florida”.
• Look for results clearly labeled as an official state site, usually ending in “.gov” and mentioning the state’s unclaimed property division or bureau.

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

1. Enter your last name (and optionally first name).
2. Narrow the search by:
   • City or ZIP code
   • Business name (if searching for a company)
3. Run additional searches using:
   • Previous names (for example, your name before marriage)
   • Old addresses or cities where you lived or worked

You may want to try multiple variations of your name and address to catch more potential matches.

Step 3: Review the Search Results

Search results typically show a list of potential matches, often including:

• Owner name
• Last known address or city
• Holder name (the business or institution that reported the property)
• Type of property (for example, “wages,” “bank account,” “insurance,” “utility refund”)
• Sometimes an approximate value range (such as “under $100” or “over $100”)

Things to look for:

• Does the name match yours or a previous name?
• Does the city or address look familiar?
• Does the business or institution sound like one you dealt with? (e.g., a former bank, employer, insurance company, or utility)

If you find likely matches:

• Use the option (often a button like “Claim,” “Add to Cart,” or “Start a Claim”) next to each property to begin the claim process.
• You can usually claim more than one item at the same time.

If you do not see any results for your current name, try:

• Searching old names
• Searching common misspellings
• Searching business names you used

Step 4: Start an Official Claim for Your Property

Once you select a property to claim, the official portal typically prompts you to:

• Confirm you are the rightful owner (or authorized representative)
• Provide some basic contact information, such as:
  • Full legal name
  • Current mailing address
  • Phone number
  • Email address

Depending on the property type and amount, the system might:

• Allow you to submit the claim fully online, or
• Ask you to print a claim form, sign it, and mail or upload it with documents

Remember: Claims must go through Florida’s official unclaimed property program, not through HowToGetAssistance.org or any third-party site.

Step 5: Gather and Submit Supporting Documents

To protect owners and prevent fraud, the state will typically require proof of identity and proof of ownership.

Commonly requested documents include:

• Photo ID (usually at least one of the following):

  • State-issued driver’s license
  • State ID card
  • U.S. passport

• Proof of Social Security Number (especially for larger claims):

  • Social Security card
  • Tax document (like a W-2) that shows your SSN

• Proof of current address:

  • Recent utility bill
  • Bank statement
  • Lease agreement
  • Official mail from a government agency

• Proof you lived or received mail at the old address listed in the claim (if different from your current address), such as:

  • Old utility bills
  • Old bank statements
  • Tax returns
  • Pay stubs

For business claims, you may also need:

• Articles of incorporation or business registration
• Proof you are an authorized officer or owner
• Business tax ID (EIN)
• Business bank statements or bills at the listed address

For heirs or estates, documentation often includes:

• Death certificate of the original owner
• Will, probate documents, or letters of administration showing you are an heir or executor
• Your own ID and proof of relationship (for example, birth or marriage certificates)

How to submit documents usually depends on Florida’s current process and may include:

• Uploading scanned copies through the official portal
• Mailing copies to the state unclaimed property office
• Occasionally, getting some documents notarized before submission

Always follow the specific instructions on Florida’s official claim form or website.

Step 6: What Happens After You File a Claim?

Once you submit a claim and supporting documents through the official Florida system, the typical process includes:

1. Acknowledgment

   • You may receive a confirmation number or email acknowledging your claim.

2. Review by the state

   • Staff at the Florida unclaimed property office will compare your information to their records.
   • They may verify your identity, the original account, and your right to the property.

3. Requests for more information (if needed)

   • If something is missing or unclear, they may send a letter, email, or ask you to upload more paperwork.

4. Decision

   • If approved, the state generally issues payment (often by check or sometimes direct deposit, depending on their policies).
   • If the claim is not approved, they usually send a denial notice explaining the main reason.

Processing times can vary based on:

• The number of claims in the system
• The complexity of your claim (for example, an estate claim is usually more complex than a simple paycheck refund)
• Whether all documents were complete and clear the first time

If you are unsure of the status, you can usually:

• Use the online claim status tool (if provided), or
• Call the Florida unclaimed property office using the official phone number listed on the state’s .gov website.

Common Reasons Claims Get Delayed or Denied

People sometimes experience delays or denials for reasons such as:

• Missing or incomplete documents
  • No ID submitted
  • No proof of address at the time the property was created
• Name mismatches
  • Name on the property does not match the name on your ID
  • Spelling differences or missing middle names
• Ownership issues
  • Claimant is not clearly the same person as the listed owner
  • Heirs cannot show they are legally entitled to the property
• Unclear business authority
  • Person filing for a business is not documented as an owner or officer

To reduce delays:

• Read the instructions carefully on Florida’s official site.
• Submit all requested documents at once, if possible.
• Make sure copies are legible and IDs are current and not expired.
• If your name has changed, include documentation that ties your old name to your current name, such as:
  • Marriage certificate
  • Divorce decree
  • Court order for name change

If your claim is denied and you believe that’s a mistake, Florida’s program may offer a way to:

• Submit additional documentation, or
• Request a review or appeal through the process outlined in the denial notice or on the official site.

Special Situations: Deceased Owners and Estates

It is common for people to search for and claim unclaimed property on behalf of deceased relatives. In those cases, the Florida process usually requires more documentation.

Typical steps:

1. Search using the decedent’s name and last known city.
2. If you find property:
   • Start a claim as an heir, executor, or personal representative, not as the original owner.
3. Gather documents such as:
   • Death certificate
   • Will, letters of administration, or court order naming you as personal representative or identifying the heirs
   • Proof of your identity and relationship to the deceased (if required)
4. Follow any specific instructions Florida provides for estate or heir claims, which may be slightly different from standard personal claims.

In more complex estates, some people choose to consult a probate or estate attorney for help. That is a personal decision; it is not required by the unclaimed property program in all situations, but can be useful if legal questions arise.

Simple Comparison: Different Types of Florida Unclaimed Property Claims

*Complexity level is a general description and can vary based on the specific claim.

How to Tell If You’re Using an Official Florida Site

Because unclaimed money sounds appealing, scammers sometimes create look-alike websites or offer “help” for high fees. To help protect yourself:

Look for these signs of an official channel:

• The website address ends in “.gov” and clearly identifies itself as a Florida state website.
• The site explains it is operated by a Florida state agency (such as a Department of Financial Services or similar office).
• There is a published physical address and official phone number for the state agency.
• The site typically does not charge a fee to search or file a basic claim.

Be cautious of:

• Websites that charge you upfront just to tell you whether you have unclaimed property.
• Emails, phone calls, or messages that:
  • Demand immediate payment or gift cards to release your funds.
  • Ask you to share full Social Security numbers or banking details through insecure forms.
• Anyone claiming to be a “finder” or “locator” who:
  • Refuses to tell you where to verify the claim directly with the state.
  • Uses high-pressure tactics or asks you to sign confusing contracts.

Florida law may allow legitimate “finder” services that charge a fee to help search or file claims, but using such services is optional. Many people prefer to work directly with the Florida unclaimed property office themselves at no cost.

If You Don’t Find Anything in Florida

If your Florida search doesn’t show any results, you might still want to:

• Double-check using:
  • Old names
  • Old addresses
  • Business names
• Search in other states where you:
  • Lived
  • Worked
  • Went to school
  • Operated a business

Every state in the U.S. has its own unclaimed property program. You can usually find them by:

• Going to each state’s official .gov website, and
• Searching for “unclaimed property” or “unclaimed money” there.

It’s also possible you simply don’t have any unclaimed property at this time, but many people continue to check every year or two in case something new appears.

Key Takeaways for Finding Unclaimed Assets in Florida

• Unclaimed assets in Florida often include wages, bank accounts, insurance benefits, refunds, and more.
• Anyone who has lived, worked, or done business in Florida may have unclaimed property.
• To search and claim:
  1. Gather your personal and address information.
  2. Use Florida’s official unclaimed property search tool on a state .gov website.
  3. Review potential matches and start a claim for items that appear to be yours.
  4. Submit required ID and proof of ownership through the official process.
• Claims are processed by Florida’s unclaimed property office, not by HowToGetAssistance.org.
• Watch for scams and always verify you are on a legitimate Florida government website before entering personal information.
• If you don’t find anything in Florida, consider searching other states where you have lived or worked.

By following these steps and using Florida’s official resources, many people are able to successfully locate and claim money or property that has been waiting for them.