Unclaimed Utility Deposits and Escrow Funds in North Dakota: How to Claim What You’re Owed

If you’ve ever paid a utility deposit or had money held in an escrow account (for example, through a mortgage), there’s a chance you might have unclaimed funds waiting for you in North Dakota. Many people move, change banks, or switch services and never realize a refund was issued but never reached them.

This guide explains how unclaimed utility deposits and escrow funds generally work in North Dakota, and how you can take practical steps to look for and claim money through official state channels. HowToGetAssistance.org is an independent information site, not a government office or application portal, but this overview can help you understand what to do next.

What Are Unclaimed Utility Deposits and Escrow Funds?

Unclaimed utility deposits

A utility deposit is money you pay up front to a service provider such as:

• Electric or gas company
• Water or sewer utility
• Phone or internet provider

You may have paid a security deposit when you opened an account, especially if:

• You had limited or no credit history
• You had a prior late-payment record
• The account type required a deposit by policy

If you close the account or maintain good payment history, the company may:

• Apply the deposit to your final bill, and/or
• Issue a refund (check, bill credit, or electronic payment)

If they can’t reach you, or the check isn’t cashed for a certain period, the deposit may eventually be turned over to the State of North Dakota as “unclaimed property.”

Unclaimed escrow funds

Escrow funds are commonly associated with:

• Mortgage payments (taxes and insurance portions)
• Real estate transactions
• Certain insurance or loan accounts

When an account is closed, refinanced, or paid off:

• Any extra or leftover escrow balance is supposed to be refunded to you.
• The refund might be sent by check or applied in another agreed way.

If the company can’t contact you or the refund is never claimed, those funds may also be turned over to the state’s unclaimed property program.

How North Dakota Handles Unclaimed Property

In North Dakota, unclaimed utility deposits and escrow funds are generally treated as unclaimed property. This means after a certain period of inactivity (often a few years, but timing can vary by account type), companies must transfer those funds to the State of North Dakota for safekeeping.

Key points:

• The state does not take ownership of the money; it holds the funds on behalf of the rightful owner.
• You can usually claim funds at any time, even many years later.
• The process usually involves searching a state database and submitting a claim form with proof of ownership.

The specific rules can change, so it’s important to rely on North Dakota’s official unclaimed property office or another official state resource for up‑to‑date requirements.

Step-by-Step: How to Search for Unclaimed Utility Deposits and Escrow Funds in North Dakota

1. Gather basic information before you search

You can usually search with just your name, but it helps to have:

• Current and former legal names (including maiden names or other variations)
• Past addresses in North Dakota (rental, owned homes, dorms, etc.)
• Former utility providers (electric, gas, water, phone, internet)
• Former mortgage lenders or loan servicers
• Old account numbers if you have them (not required but helpful)

2. Use North Dakota’s official unclaimed property search

North Dakota typically maintains an official online database where you can:

1. Search by last name and first name
2. Narrow results by city or address, if available
3. View any potential matches that list your name and last known address

Look for an official site run by a state agency such as the state treasurer or revenue department. To help confirm you’re in the right place:

• The site should clearly show State of North Dakota branding or a similar official identifier.
• Web addresses for state agencies often end in “.gov”.
• There should be no fees to search or to file a basic claim.

If you’re unsure which site is official, you can:

• Call a state government information line
• Ask the North Dakota State Treasurer’s Office or a similar state financial office
• Contact 211 and ask how to reach North Dakota’s unclaimed property office

3. Review and select matching claims

When you search, you may see:

• Your name with a city and old address
• A business or agency name, such as a utility company, mortgage company, or bank
• An amount range (exact amount often comes later in the process)

If you see entries that look like they belong to you:

1. Check that the name spelling is close to yours (minor typos are common).
2. Confirm the address or city matches a place you lived or had service.
3. Select the items you want to claim, based on the instructions on the state’s website.

Making a Claim in North Dakota: What to Expect

1. Complete the official claim form

Once you select your listings, the state’s official unclaimed property portal usually:

• Generates a claim form you can fill out online or print.
• Assigns a claim number for tracking.

You will typically provide:

• Full legal name
• Current mailing address
• Phone number and email
• Social Security Number (or last four digits) – if requested, to verify identity
• Details about the claim, such as:
  • Whether you are the original owner
  • Whether you are claiming on behalf of an estate, business, or trust

Always make sure you are entering this information only on the official state portal or form, not on third‑party sites.

2. Gather required documents

North Dakota’s exact documentation rules can change, but claimants are usually asked to provide proof of identity and proof of ownership.

Commonly requested documents include:

• Proof of identity

  • Driver’s license or state ID
  • Passport
  • Other government-issued ID

• Proof of current address (sometimes)

  • Current utility bill
  • Bank statement
  • Lease agreement or mortgage statement

• Proof of connection to the old address or account

  • Old utility bill, statement, or contract
  • Closing paperwork from a mortgage, escrow statement
  • Old bank or loan statement showing the company name and your name

• For name changes

  • Marriage certificate
  • Court order or divorce decree

• For estates or deceased owners (if you’re the heir or executor)

  • Death certificate
  • Will, probate documents, or letters of administration
  • Documentation showing your legal authority to claim

Quick reference: Typical documents for unclaimed utility and escrow funds in North Dakota

The state’s official unclaimed property office will list which documents are required for your specific claim type. Always follow the most current instructions provided directly by that office.

3. Submit your claim

You’ll generally be able to submit your claim in one of these ways (depending on North Dakota’s current process):

• Online submission through the official unclaimed property portal
• Mail – printing and mailing the signed claim form plus copies of documents
• Occasionally in person at a state office (call ahead to confirm)

Follow the directions on the official claim form closely. Make sure:

• All required fields are completed
• You sign where requested (sometimes in front of a notary, if required)
• You include clear copies of identification and supporting documents
• You keep a copy of everything for your records

What Happens After You File Your Claim?

Once the state receives your claim, the unclaimed property office typically:

1. Acknowledges receipt – sometimes by mail or email, depending on how you applied.
2. Reviews your documents to confirm identity and ownership.
3. Contacts you if additional information is needed.
4. Approves or denies the claim.

If approved, the state usually:

• Issues a check in your name, mailed to your current address on file, or
• Follows another method listed on the claim form (if offered and chosen).

Processing times can vary, but it is common for claims to take several weeks to a few months, depending on:

• The complexity of the claim
• Whether documents were complete and clear
• Workload at the unclaimed property office

If you submitted a larger or more complex claim (for example, involving an estate or business), expect processing to be on the longer side.

Common Reasons Claims Are Delayed or Denied

Delays or denials can happen, often for fixable reasons. Some common issues include:

• Incomplete claim form – missing signatures, missing fields, or unclear information.
• Insufficient proof of identity – unclear ID copy, expired ID, or name not matching.
• No proof of connection to the address or account – especially for older claims.
• Name mismatch – for example, married name vs. maiden name with no documentation.
• Estate issues – missing legal authority documents when claiming for a deceased person.

If your claim is delayed:

• Watch for mail or email from the state requesting more information.
• Respond promptly and provide exactly what is requested.

If your claim is denied:

• The state usually sends a notice explaining why.
• Often, you can submit additional documents or file a new claim if you resolve the issue.
• You may also be able to speak with staff at the unclaimed property office for clarification.

How Appeals or Reviews Usually Work

Each state sets its own process, but in North Dakota you can typically:

• Ask for clarification about why a claim was denied.
• Provide more documentation if the denial was due to missing or unclear proof.
• In some situations, request a review or reconsideration, especially if you believe the decision was based on incomplete or incorrect information.

To explore your options:

• Contact the North Dakota unclaimed property office directly using the phone number or address listed on your denial letter or on the official state website.
• Ask if there is a formal appeal or review process, and how to start it.

Always keep copies of:

• Your original claim
• All documents submitted
• Any letters or emails from the unclaimed property office

These can be important if you need a review.

If You Don’t Find Anything in North Dakota’s Database

You might search and see no results, even if you think you’re owed a utility deposit or escrow refund. That doesn’t always mean there is no money; sometimes it means the funds are:

• Still held by the company and not yet turned over to the state.
• Reported under a slightly different name or address than you used.
• Reported in another state (for example, where the company is based or where you lived earlier).

Here are a few next steps to consider:

1. Check directly with the company

For recent deposits or escrow funds, you can:

• Call the utility company or mortgage servicer
• Ask about:
  • Final bill status
  • Refunds issued
  • Returned or uncashed checks

For older accounts, companies may say the funds were escheated (turned over) to the state. If so, ask:

• When they were turned over
• Which state and under what name or address

2. Search other states

If you have lived, worked, or had accounts in other states, or if the company was based elsewhere, you may also need to:

• Search the unclaimed property databases of those states individually.

Use similar steps: verify the correct official state site, search by name, and follow that state’s claim process.

3. Double‑check spelling and name variations

Try:

• Nicknames vs. full names
• Middle initial vs. no middle initial
• Former names (maiden names, prior married names)
• Slightly different spellings if your name is often misspelled

Verifying You’re Using Official Channels and Avoiding Scams

Because unclaimed funds can be attractive targets for scammers, it’s important to know how to protect yourself.

Signs you’re likely on an official North Dakota channel

• The website clearly identifies a North Dakota state agency, such as a treasurer or revenue department.
• The internet address uses a “.gov” domain (for example, something that ends in “nd.gov”).
• There is no fee to search or to file a basic claim.
• Contact information lists a state office address and phone number you can verify in an official government directory.

Red flags to watch out for

Be cautious if:

• Someone contacts you out of the blue claiming you have unclaimed money and asks for a large fee to help you get it.
• A website asks you to pay upfront before you can search or file a claim.
• You’re asked to share sensitive information (like your full Social Security Number or bank details) on a site that does not clearly belong to a state agency.
• The person contacting you refuses to give clear details about which state office is holding the funds or how you can verify independently.

You do not have to pay a private service to search for or claim unclaimed property. North Dakota’s official unclaimed property office will handle claims directly with you at no cost, aside from any typical notary or mailing costs you choose to incur.

If you’re unsure, you can:

• Call a publicly listed North Dakota state government office and ask to be connected to the unclaimed property program.
• Ask for information in writing and verify contact details against a known state directory.

Key Takeaways for Claiming Unclaimed Utility Deposits and Escrow Funds in North Dakota

• Utility deposits and escrow funds that go unclaimed for a set time are usually turned over to North Dakota’s unclaimed property program.
• You can typically search for free on the state’s official unclaimed property website using your name and past addresses.
• To claim funds, be prepared to provide proof of identity, proof of address or account, and any necessary documents for name changes or estates.
• Claims can take weeks or months to process, especially for complex cases.
• If your claim is delayed or denied, you can often submit additional documents or request a review through the state office.
• Always verify that you’re using official state channels, and be cautious about third‑party services or unexpected offers that ask for fees or sensitive information.

When you’re ready, your next step is to locate North Dakota’s official unclaimed property office or portal, run a search under your name, and follow the state’s instructions to submit a claim if you find deposits or escrow funds that appear to belong to you.