How Long Unclaimed Assets Claims Usually Take in Maryland (And How To Check Your Status)

Unclaimed property can feel like “found money,” but the claim process can be confusing if you have never done it before. In Maryland, there is a specific state office that handles unclaimed assets such as old bank accounts, uncashed checks, insurance payments, and more.

This guide from HowToGetAssistance.org explains, in plain language:

• How long unclaimed property claims in Maryland usually take
• What affects processing time
• How to check the status of your claim
• Which documents you may need
• How to avoid delays and scams

HowToGetAssistance.org is not a government agency and not an application or claims portal. This article is for information only so you can better understand the process and then use the official Maryland channels to submit and track your claim.

What Is “Unclaimed Property” in Maryland?

In Maryland, unclaimed property typically refers to money or assets that a business, financial institution, or agency tried but failed to return to the rightful owner. After a certain period of time with no contact, the holder turns those funds over to the State of Maryland for safekeeping until someone claims them.

Common examples include:

• Old bank or credit union accounts
• Uncashed payroll or refund checks
• Insurance benefits or claim payments
• Utility deposits or refunds
• Safe deposit box contents (in some cases the contents are sold and the value is held)
• Stocks, dividends, or investment accounts

The state does not take ownership of your money. It simply holds it until a valid owner or heir files a claim through the official Maryland unclaimed property office.

How Long Maryland Unclaimed Property Claims Usually Take

Processing time can vary, but many Maryland unclaimed property claims fall into a few broad ranges.

Typical Timeframes

While every case is different, people often experience:

• Simple claims (clear documentation, current address):
  Around 4–8 weeks from the time the state office receives all required forms and documents.

• Moderate claims (name changes, older records, some research needed):
  About 8–12 weeks or longer.

• Complex claims (estates, multiple heirs, businesses, legal disputes):
  These can take several months, especially if court documents are involved or additional verification is needed.

These are general estimates, not guarantees. Actual timelines depend on the workload at the Maryland unclaimed property office and how complete your claim is when submitted.

What Affects How Long Your Maryland Claim Takes?

Several factors can speed up or slow down a Maryland unclaimed property claim.

1. Type and Size of the Claim

• Small, straightforward cash amounts with a direct, living owner are usually the fastest.
• Claims involving multiple properties, higher dollar amounts, or safe deposit contents may require more review and verification.
• Business claims or claims made on behalf of an organization can take longer because of extra documentation needs.

2. Your Relationship to the Property

• Original owner, same name and address: Usually quickest—especially if your ID and current information are easy to match with the records.
• Original owner, but name or address changed: The office may need proof of name changes (for example, marriage certificate) or proof of address history.
• Heir or estate representative: Often slower because the state must confirm that you are legally entitled to claim the property.

3. Completeness and Accuracy of Your Documents

Missing or unclear information is one of the most common causes of delay. The Maryland office may need to:

• Ask you for additional documents
• Ask for clearer copies of IDs
• Clarify your relationship to the original owner

Each back-and-forth adds time.

4. How You Filed

The exact options can change over time, but in Maryland, many people:

• Search and start claims online through the state’s official unclaimed property website, and
• Submit supporting documents electronically or by mail

Online claims may move faster if the system allows you to upload documents directly, but it still depends on staff review.

5. Time of Year and Workload

If the Maryland unclaimed property office has a high volume of new claims (for example, after major outreach campaigns or public awareness events), processing can slow down. Holidays and staff availability may also affect timelines.

Maryland Unclaimed Property Process: Step-by-Step

While details can change, the general process in Maryland tends to follow these steps:

1. Search for Unclaimed Property

• Go to the official State of Maryland unclaimed property search (look for the Maryland Comptroller or Treasury department site, not a private company).
• Search using:
  • Your full legal name
  • Any previous names (maiden names, married names)
  • Business names you own or manage
  • Names of deceased relatives (if you may be an heir)

2. Start a Claim

If you find property listed under your name (or under someone you have authority to claim for), you’ll usually be able to:

• Select the property
• Indicate your relationship (owner, heir, executor, etc.)
• Provide your contact information

The system typically generates a claim number you can later use to track your status.

3. Submit Required Documents

The Maryland office will usually ask for proof of identity and sometimes proof of address or ownership.

Common documents include:

• Government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, state ID, or passport)
• Social Security number (often requested on the form, not always via a card copy)
• Proof of address for the time period of the property:
  • Old utility bills
  • Bank statements
  • Lease or mortgage documents
• Name change documents (if applicable):
  • Marriage certificate
  • Divorce decree
  • Court order
• For heirs or estates:
  • Death certificate
  • Will, letters of administration, or letters testamentary
  • Proof you are executor, administrator, or legal heir

Always follow the exact instructions on the official Maryland claim form or website—requirements can change.

4. Wait for Review and Processing

Once your claim and documents are submitted, staff at the Maryland unclaimed property office will:

1. Compare your information with the records they have.
2. Verify your identity and entitlement to the property.
3. Possibly contact you for more information if something is missing or unclear.

When approved, the state typically issues a check or payment to the address you provided. For safe deposit contents, there may be special procedures if the contents were sold and only the proceeds are available.

Simple Timeline Overview

The table below summarizes general time expectations once Maryland has your completed claim and all required documents:

*These are rough estimates, not guarantees. Actual times depend on office workload and completeness of your claim.

How To Check Your Maryland Unclaimed Property Claim Status

You cannot check your status through HowToGetAssistance.org. To track your claim, you will need to use the official Maryland channels.

1. Use the Official Maryland Unclaimed Property Website

Maryland generally offers an online portal where you can:

• Enter your claim ID or claim number
• Provide identifying information (such as your name or last 4 digits of your SSN)
• See whether your claim is:
  • Received
  • In review
  • Approved
  • Paid/Closed
  • Or if additional information is needed

Look specifically for an official website associated with the Comptroller of Maryland or another clearly identified state treasury or unclaimed property division.

2. Call the Official Unclaimed Property Office

If the online status is unclear, or you filed by mail and do not see updates online, you can:

• Call the Maryland unclaimed property phone number listed on:
  • The state’s official website, or
  • The claim form you submitted

When you call, have this information ready:

• Your claim number
• Your full legal name
• Your mailing address
• Any reference numbers or letters you received

Phone lines can be busy, so you may need to try at different times, or be prepared to wait on hold.

3. Mail or Email Follow-Up (If Instructed)

If the office has sent you a letter or email requesting more information:

• Respond using the contact method they specify (mail, online upload, or email).
• Include your claim number on every page you send.
• Keep copies or scans of everything you submit.

Sending duplicate copies without a request can sometimes slow things down, so follow any instructions the Maryland office offers for updates or additional materials.

Documents That Help Claims Move Faster in Maryland

Preparing strong, clear documentation can shorten the time it takes for your claim to be approved.

For Individual Owners

Try to have:

• Current photo ID with your full legal name
• Proof of Social Security number (if requested on the form)
• Proof of address for the time period associated with the asset:
  • For example, if the property is tied to an address from 10 years ago, gather any old:
    • Utility bills
    • Pay stubs
    • Tax forms
    • Leases
• Name change proof, if your current name differs from the name on the unclaimed property listing

For Heirs and Estates

The Maryland office will generally ask for more detailed documentation, such as:

• Death certificate of the original owner
• Legal documents showing who is responsible for the estate:
  • Letters testamentary
  • Letters of administration
  • Small estate affidavits, if applicable
• Proof of relationship to the deceased:
  • Birth certificate
  • Marriage certificate
• If there is no will, you may need documents that outline Maryland’s intestate succession or court appointments.

For Businesses or Organizations

You may need:

• Business registration or articles of incorporation
• Proof of authority to act for the business:
  • Corporate resolution
  • Letter on company letterhead
  • Position documentation for officers or authorized signers
• Tax ID (EIN) and business address information

Always match your documentation to the exact name spelling and business type listed on the unclaimed property record.

Common Reasons Maryland Unclaimed Property Claims Get Delayed

Knowing what often causes slowdowns can help you avoid them.

1. Missing or Incomplete Forms

If required sections of the claim form are left blank or signatures are missing, processing pauses until you correct it.

Tip: Before sending, review the form for:

• All required signatures
• Any notary sections (if needed)
• All mandatory fields filled in

2. Unclear Copies of ID or Documents

If the Maryland office cannot read your ID or documents clearly, they may ask you to resend them.

To avoid this:

• Use high-quality scans or photocopies
• Ensure names, dates, and addresses are clearly visible
• Do not cut off edges or important seals

3. Name and Address Mismatches

When your current legal name or address does not match the information the state has on file, the office may need:

• Name change proof
• Old address documentation

Sending this up front can often help.

4. Complicated Inheritance or Estate Issues

For deceased owners:

• Conflicts between heirs
• Missing or contested wills
• Incomplete estate administration

All can extend the process until the legal issues are resolved.

5. High Volume Periods

Sometimes the Maryland office simply has more claims than usual. Even perfect paperwork can take longer during busy periods.

What Happens if Your Claim Is Denied or Returned?

In some cases, the Maryland unclaimed property office may:

• Deny your claim outright, or
• Return it with a request for additional documentation

Common reasons:

• They could not verify that you are the correct owner or heir.
• Documents did not meet Maryland’s legal requirements.
• Multiple people claimed the same property without clear proof of entitlement.

If you disagree with the decision:

1. Read the notice carefully. It should explain what was missing or why the claim was denied.
2. Gather any additional documents that may address the concern.
3. Contact the Maryland unclaimed property office using the phone number or mailing address on your notice to ask:
   • Whether you can resubmit with more information
   • Whether there is a formal appeal or review process

Procedures for challenging a decision can change, so it is best to follow directions directly from the official state office.

How To Make Sure You’re Using Official Maryland Channels

Because unclaimed property involves money, there are scams and misleading services that try to charge fees or collect personal information.

Here are ways to protect yourself:

• Look for .gov websites. Official Maryland state offices typically use addresses that clearly identify them as government sites.
• Check the agency name. It should mention State of Maryland, Comptroller of Maryland, or an equivalent treasury/unclaimed property division.
• Watch for fees. Maryland generally does not require you to pay a fee to file a claim directly with the state. If someone demands a large fee to “help you get your money,” be cautious.
• Verify phone numbers and mailing addresses. Use contact information listed on:
  • Official state websites
  • Official state forms
  • Direct mailings from a clearly identified Maryland agency
• Guard your personal data. Do not send your full Social Security number, bank account information, or ID copies to anyone unless you are certain you are dealing with the official state office.

If you are unsure, you can:

• Call a clearly listed Maryland state main switchboard and ask to be transferred to the unclaimed property division, or
• Dial 211 to ask for help locating the correct state office contact information (211 is an information and referral service in many areas).

If You Don’t Qualify or Can’t Prove Ownership

Sometimes a person knows—or strongly believes—that money belongs to them or a relative, but cannot meet Maryland’s documentation requirements. For example:

• Old records are lost.
• The legal estate was never formally settled.
• Multiple heirs disagree.

In those situations, options may include:

• Working with the Maryland unclaimed property office to understand what minimum evidence they are allowed to accept.
• Speaking with an attorney, especially for complicated estate or inheritance issues.
• Checking for other types of assistance, if your main concern is financial hardship rather than reclaiming a specific asset, such as:
  • Local social services departments
  • Housing assistance agencies
  • Utility assistance programs
  • Community-based nonprofits and legal aid organizations

Unclaimed property is about recovering money that already belongs—or likely belongs—to you or your family. If that path is blocked, it may be worth exploring other financial or legal supports through official or community channels.

Understanding how Maryland’s unclaimed property process works—and what typically affects timing—can help you set realistic expectations and avoid unnecessary delays. Once you gather the right documents and identify your claim number, the best way to move forward or check your status is always through the official Maryland unclaimed property website, phone line, or mailing address provided by the state.