Minnesota’s Unclaimed Property Office: What It Does and What It Might Be Holding For You

The Minnesota Unclaimed Property Office helps reunite people and organizations with money and property that were forgotten, abandoned, or never delivered. Many Minnesotans have unclaimed funds without realizing it.

HowToGetAssistance.org is not a government agency and cannot look up or process claims. This guide explains how Minnesota’s system typically works so you can decide your next step with the official state office.

What Is “Unclaimed Property” in Minnesota?

In Minnesota, unclaimed property generally means money or financial assets that a business or institution was holding for you, but you didn’t claim for a certain period of time. When that happens, the holder must turn the property over to the state.

Common examples include:

• Uncashed checks
  • Paychecks
  • Refund checks
  • Insurance claim checks
• Bank accounts
  • Savings or checking accounts with no activity
  • Closed accounts that still had a balance
• Insurance-related funds
  • Life insurance benefits
  • Matured policies that were never paid out
• Investment-related assets
  • Stocks or mutual funds held by a transfer agent
  • Dividends that were never cashed
• Utility and service credits
  • Utility deposits
  • Credit balances from phone, cable, or internet companies
• Safe deposit box contents
  • Jewelry
  • Coins
  • Important papers

The Minnesota Unclaimed Property Office does not usually handle:

• Real estate
• Cars or other titled vehicles
• Most physical personal belongings except safe deposit box contents turned over to the state

What Does the Minnesota Unclaimed Property Office Do?

The office’s main role is to protect and manage unclaimed property until the rightful owner (or their heirs) step forward.

Key responsibilities typically include:

1. Receiving property from businesses (“holders”)

   • Banks, insurers, employers, utilities, and other companies are required by law to turn over property after a set “dormancy period” (often 1–5 years depending on the type of property).
   • The office records the name, last known address, and other information linked to that property.

2. Keeping records and safeguarding funds

   • Cash is usually held in state custody until claimed.
   • For safe deposit box items, the office may store the contents for a period and, in some cases, eventually auction certain items. The value is then held for the owner.

3. Helping people search for property

   • The state maintains an official searchable database where individuals, businesses, and heirs can look up unclaimed property.
   • People can search by name and sometimes by business name or other details.

4. Reviewing and processing claims

   • When someone files a claim, the office checks:
     • Identity
     • Ownership or relationship to the original owner
     • Potential fraud or duplicate claims
   • If approved, the office issues payment or arranges return of property value.

5. Outreach and public education

   • Many states, including Minnesota, occasionally run campaigns to inform residents about unclaimed property:
     • Newspaper notices
     • Public awareness events
     • Coordination with other state agencies

What Types of Property Does Minnesota Commonly Hold?

The Minnesota Unclaimed Property Office can hold a wide range of asset types. The table below summarizes common categories, how they end up unclaimed, and what is usually returned.

Note: Exact handling can change over time or by situation. To see what you might specifically be owed, you would need to use the official Minnesota unclaimed property search.

Who Might Have Unclaimed Property in Minnesota?

People are often surprised to find that they have unclaimed property, even if they manage their finances carefully. You may have property in Minnesota’s custody if:

• You moved and didn’t update your address with:
  • Your bank
  • Your employer
  • Your insurance company
• You had a short-term job and never cashed your final paycheck
• You received a refund check you never deposited
• You closed a bank account but:
  • Interest posted after closure
  • A small balance was left behind
• A relative passed away and:
  • You suspect they had accounts in Minnesota
  • No one handled or collected those assets
• You had a safe deposit box you stopped paying on, or a family member did
• You did business under a different name:
  • Maiden or previous last name
  • Nickname or alternate spelling
  • Business or DBA name

There is no income limit to search for and claim unclaimed property. It doesn’t matter how much you earn; the main question is whether you’re the rightful owner or heir.

How to Search for Unclaimed Property in Minnesota

HowToGetAssistance.org cannot search or confirm whether you have property. To look for unclaimed property, you would typically:

1. Go to Minnesota’s official unclaimed property website

   • Use an internet search term like: “Minnesota unclaimed property official site”.
   • Verify that it’s a state government site (for example, with “.gov” in the address and clear state branding).

2. Use the name search

   • Enter:
     • Your first and last name
     • Any previous names
     • Any business names you used
   • Try different spellings or versions (for example, with and without middle initials).

3. Review the search results

   • Look for entries that match:
     • Your name
     • A previous address
     • A former employer or bank you recognize

4. Follow the official instructions to start a claim

   • On the official website, there is usually a button or link to “Claim” or “File Claim.”
   • You may be asked to:
     • Create an account or
     • Provide contact information for follow-up

If you don’t use the internet, you may be able to call the Minnesota Department of Commerce (which commonly manages unclaimed property in Minnesota) and ask about search options or mail-in forms. You can find the current phone number through the state government’s main directory.

What Documents You May Need to Claim Property

The Minnesota Unclaimed Property Office typically requires proof of identity and, if necessary, proof of ownership or relationship. Requirements can vary by claim type and amount, but commonly requested documents include:

For individuals claiming their own property:

• Government-issued photo ID
  • Driver’s license
  • State ID card
  • Passport
• Proof of Social Security Number (SSN or similar taxpayer ID), such as:
  • Social Security card
  • Tax form showing your full name and SSN
• Proof of current address, for example:
  • Recent utility bill
  • Lease
  • Bank statement
• Proof of past address (if property is tied to a former address), such as:
  • Old bill or statement
  • Past lease agreement
  • Tax return

For heirs or estates:

If the property belonged to someone who has died, you may also need:

• Death certificate for the original owner
• Documents showing your legal right to the property, such as:
  • Will
  • Probate court documents
  • Letters of appointment as personal representative/executor
• Proof of relationship, if applicable:
  • Birth certificate
  • Marriage certificate

For businesses:

• Business formation documents
  • Articles of incorporation
  • Partnership agreement
• Proof of authority
  • Corporate resolution
  • Letter authorizing you to act for the business
• Tax ID number for the business

The official Minnesota unclaimed property site or phone line will explain exactly which documents apply to your situation. It’s common for larger claims or estate claims to require more documentation.

Typical Steps to Claim Unclaimed Property in Minnesota

Processes change over time, but a typical Minnesota unclaimed property claim may look like this:

1. Search for your name

   • Use the official Minnesota unclaimed property database.

2. Select and start a claim

   • Identify the items that appear to belong to you.
   • Use the site’s “Claim” feature or instructions.

3. Provide basic information online or by form

   • Name, address, contact details.
   • Sometimes partial SSN or birthdate for identity matching.

4. Gather required documents

   • Copy your photo ID.
   • Collect any supporting records tied to the specific property (for example, old statements, pay stubs, or policy numbers if you have them).

5. Submit your claim package

   • Upload documents through the official online portal, or
   • Mail copies to the address listed on the official instructions.
   • Do not send original documents unless the office specifically instructs you to.

6. Wait for review

   • Processing time varies based on:
     • Volume of claims
     • Complexity of your case
     • Whether more information is needed

7. Respond to any follow-up requests

   • If the office asks for more proof or clarification, respond promptly.
   • Delays often happen when follow-up letters or emails go unanswered.

8. Receive payment or property value

   • Most often, you receive a check from the State of Minnesota.
   • For safe deposit items, you may receive:
     • The items, or
     • The cash value if they have been sold according to state procedures.

What Happens After You File a Claim?

Once you’ve officially filed:

• Your claim is assigned for review.
• Staff verify:
  • Your identity
  • Your connection to the listed property
  • That there are no competing claims or fraud concerns

You might experience:

• Approval
  • You receive a confirmation and, later, a payment or property.
• Request for more information
  • The office may ask for additional documentation to confirm your identity or relationship.
• Denial
  • If the office concludes you are not the rightful owner or documentation is insufficient, it may deny the claim.

If your claim appears to be taking longer than expected, you can:

• Check any claim status feature on the official site (if available), or
• Call the Minnesota Unclaimed Property Office or the Minnesota Department of Commerce using the official number and ask about your case.

Common Reasons Claims Are Delayed or Denied

Knowing frequent issues can help you avoid problems. People often experience delays or denials because of:

• Incomplete documentation
  • Missing ID
  • No proof of past address when needed
  • No court documents for estate cases
• Name mismatches
  • Different spelling on records vs. your ID
  • Maiden vs. married name, without proof linking them
• Unclear relationship in estate claims
  • No legal paperwork showing authority to claim on behalf of the deceased
• Incorrect or outdated contact information
  • Office can’t reach you with questions or approval
• Claiming the wrong person’s property
  • Common names can lead to confusion; the office needs enough evidence to confirm it’s actually your asset.

If your claim is denied:

• You can usually ask the office to explain why, and
• In some situations, you may be able to submit additional documents or file a new claim if you later find the right proof.

The exact appeal or review options are set by Minnesota law and policy, so it’s best to contact the official office directly to understand what is possible.

How Long Do You Have to Claim Unclaimed Property in Minnesota?

Many states, including Minnesota, treat unclaimed property as held for the owner indefinitely. That means:

• The state keeps the rightful owner’s claim open, even if:
  • Many years have passed
  • The original business closed

However:

• Safe deposit box contents might be stored only for a certain period before they are auctioned, with the resulting money held in your name.
• State law and practice can change, so it’s wise to search periodically and file a claim sooner rather than later, especially for older property.

If you’re unsure, you can ask the official Minnesota unclaimed property office whether there are any time limits related to your particular claim.

How to Tell You’re on an Official Minnesota Channel (and Avoid Scams)

Unclaimed property is a common target for scams. To protect yourself:

Signs You’re Using an Official Minnesota Resource

Look for:

• A state government web address (often ends in “.gov”)
• Clear references to:
  • State of Minnesota
  • Minnesota Department of Commerce (the typical managing agency)
• Official contact information that matches what you find on:
  • Minnesota’s main government website
  • State agency directories

If you receive a mailing or call about unclaimed property:

• Be cautious if:
  • The person pressures you to act immediately
  • They ask for upfront fees to claim your property
  • They ask for full SSN or bank account details over the phone unexpectedly
• Instead:
  • Hang up or set aside the mailing.
  • Independently look up the Minnesota Department of Commerce or state unclaimed property office using a trusted source, and verify the information.

About “Finders” or “Heir Locator” Services

Some private companies offer to:

• Search for your unclaimed property
• Complete claim paperwork
• Charge a percentage of what you receive

In many places, these services must follow specific laws, including maximum fees and written contracts. In Minnesota:

• You generally do not need to pay anyone to search or claim property.
• The official unclaimed property search is usually free.
• If you do choose to use a service:
  • Read the contract carefully.
  • Confirm their business registration with the state.
  • Compare the fee against the likely claim amount.

Alternatives and Additional Steps If You Don’t Find Property

If your Minnesota search doesn’t show any property under your name, you might still consider:

1. Searching other states

   • If you’ve lived, worked, or held accounts in other states, each state usually has its own unclaimed property database.
   • Use similar search steps in those states’ official sites (for example, search “unclaimed property” plus the state name).

2. Checking federal sources

   • Some federal benefits and refunds are not handled through state unclaimed property programs. For example:
     • Unclaimed federal tax refunds (through the Internal Revenue Service)
     • Certain savings bonds or federal retirement benefits
   • Contact the relevant federal agency directly to learn about their process.

3. Reviewing old records

   • Think through:
     • Old employers
     • Past banks and credit unions
     • Insurance companies you used to have policies with
   • If you find evidence of an account or policy, you can:
     • Contact the institution directly, or
     • Recheck Minnesota’s unclaimed property search using any new details you’ve uncovered.

4. Checking for deceased relatives

   • If you’re handling a family member’s affairs, search:
     • Their full legal name
     • Any common nicknames
   • Then follow Minnesota’s estate or heir claim instructions.

Key Takeaways Before You Contact the Minnesota Office

• Minnesota’s Unclaimed Property Office holds money and certain assets that were abandoned or never delivered, like uncashed checks, bank balances, insurance proceeds, and safe deposit box contents.
• You may have property even if you’re not in financial trouble and even if the amounts seem small—many people discover multiple small claims.
• To move forward, you must use Minnesota’s official unclaimed property search and claim process; HowToGetAssistance.org is informational only and cannot file or manage claims for you.
• Be prepared with:
  • Photo ID
  • Proof of your current and possibly past addresses
  • Legal and estate documents if you’re claiming on behalf of someone who has died
• Claims can take time, especially if the situation is complex, but you typically do not lose your right just because many years have passed.
• Always confirm you’re working with the official state office before sharing personal information or paying any fees.

From here, your next practical step is to locate the official Minnesota unclaimed property website or phone line, run a search under your names and any business names, and follow their instructions to see whether the state is holding anything for you.