How to Claim Unclaimed Property in South Dakota: Step-by-Step Guide

If you’ve ever moved, changed jobs, or closed a bank account, you might have money or property waiting for you as unclaimed assets in South Dakota. This guide walks you through how unclaimed property works in the state and how to file an unclaimed assets claim through official channels.

HowToGetAssistance.org is an informational resource only. It does not process claims, check status, or hold any property. To actually claim money or property, you must go through South Dakota’s official unclaimed property office or website.

What Is Unclaimed Property in South Dakota?

In South Dakota, unclaimed property (also called unclaimed assets) generally means money or property that a business or organization has been holding but couldn’t reach the owner after a certain number of years.

Common examples include:

• Forgotten bank accounts or credit union accounts
• Uncashed checks (payroll, refunds, insurance payments)
• Utility deposits or security deposits
• Insurance benefits or policy proceeds
• Safe deposit box contents (jewelry, coins, documents)
• Stock dividends or mutual fund accounts

These funds do not belong to the state permanently. The State of South Dakota holds them as a custodian until the rightful owner (or heir) files a valid claim.

Who Can File an Unclaimed Property Claim?

You may be able to file an unclaimed assets claim in South Dakota if you are:

• The owner listed on the unclaimed property record
• A former name of the owner (for example, before marriage or after divorce)
• An heir or beneficiary of a deceased owner
• A legal representative, such as:
  • Personal representative or executor of an estate
  • Court-appointed guardian or conservator
  • Power of attorney (if still valid and accepted)
• A business owner or authorized officer if the unclaimed property is in a business name

To succeed, you must usually prove:

• Your identity, and
• Your connection to the name, address, or business listed on the claim, and
• If the owner has died, your legal right to inherit or manage their estate.

How to Search for Unclaimed Property in South Dakota

Before you can file a claim, you need to check whether the state is holding anything for you.

Step 1: Go to the Official South Dakota Unclaimed Property Search

South Dakota’s unclaimed property program is typically managed by the State Treasurer’s Office (or a similar state financial agency).

To find the official search tool:

• Look up the South Dakota Treasurer’s Office or South Dakota unclaimed property using a trusted search engine.
• Confirm you are on a “.gov” website and that it clearly states it is the official site for South Dakota’s unclaimed property program.
• Avoid look-alike websites that charge fees or ask for unusual personal information.

Step 2: Search by Name

On the official site, you can typically search by:

• Last name and first name
• Sometimes business name
• Possibly city or ZIP code in South Dakota

Tips to catch more matches:

• Try maiden names, previous married names, or common misspellings.
• Search for your business if you own one.
• Search using old addresses if you have lived in different places in South Dakota.

If you find a listing that looks like you, you can usually click on it to start a claim.

Documents You May Need to Claim Unclaimed Assets

The exact documents can vary by the type of property, the amount, and whether the claim is for you or on behalf of someone else. The South Dakota unclaimed property office will tell you what they require for your specific claim, but people are often asked for items like:

Basic Identity Documents (for most individual claims)

• Government-issued photo ID
  • Driver’s license, state ID, passport, or military ID
• Proof of Social Security Number (if requested)
  • Social Security card, tax document, W-2, or pay stub

Proof of Address or Ownership

To show you are the right person for the listed account, you may be asked for:

• A recent utility bill or bank statement in your name
• A lease agreement, mortgage statement, or property tax bill
• An old document with the listed address, such as:
  • Old W-2 or tax return
  • Old insurance policy or bill
  • Old bank statement or loan record
• Account statements or documents showing:
  • The account number
  • The institution’s name
  • Your connection to the funds

For Name Changes

If your current name is different from the name on the unclaimed property record, you may need:

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

For Claims on Behalf of a Deceased Person

If you’re claiming as an heir or personal representative, you may be asked for:

• Death certificate of the original owner
• Will or other estate documents, if available
• Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration
• Small estate affidavit, if applicable under South Dakota law
• Documents showing your relationship to the deceased
  • Birth certificate
  • Marriage certificate
  • Other legal records

For Business Claims

If the property belongs to a business, the office may request:

• Business formation documents (articles of incorporation, partnership agreement, etc.)
• Employer Identification Number (EIN) documentation
• Proof of authority to act for the business
  • Corporate resolution
  • Officer listing, or
  • Other official documentation

Quick Reference: Common Claim Types and Typical Documents

*Exact requirements are determined by the South Dakota unclaimed property office for each claim.

How to File an Unclaimed Assets Claim in South Dakota

Once you find property in your name (or in a name you are authorized to claim), you can usually file your claim online or, in some cases, by mail.

Always follow the instructions on the official South Dakota unclaimed property website or from the State Treasurer’s Office.

Step 1: Start the Claim Online

On the official site:

1. Select the property that appears to belong to you.
2. Click the option to “Claim” or “File a Claim.”
3. Answer the questions about:
   • Your relationship to the property
   • Whether you lived at the address listed
   • Whether you are the owner, heir, or representative

You’ll usually be guided through a short online questionnaire.

Step 2: Provide Contact Information

You will typically be asked for:

• Your full legal name
• Current mailing address
• Phone number and/or email address
• Possibly your Social Security Number or partial SSN for identity verification

Use an address where you can reliably receive mail for the next few months, in case the office sends you forms or a paper check.

Step 3: Print or Save the Claim Form (If Required)

Depending on South Dakota’s current system:

• Some claims can be completed fully online, including uploading documents.
• Others may require you to print a claim form, sign it, and mail it with copies of your documents.

If a signature is required:

• Sign exactly as indicated.
• If you are signing on behalf of a business or estate, include your title (for example, “Treasurer,” “Executor,” or “Personal Representative”).

Step 4: Gather and Submit Supporting Documents

Follow the instructions on the claim confirmation page or letter from the unclaimed property office. Typically:

• Make copies of documents rather than sending originals, unless specifically instructed.
• Write the claim number on each page, if requested.
• If mailing, send everything to the official address listed on the form or website.
• If uploading online, be sure your scanned documents are legible and show all corners of the page.

What Happens After You File Your Claim?

After you submit your claim, the South Dakota unclaimed property staff will usually:

1. Review your application and documents for completeness.
2. Verify your identity and your connection to the property.
3. Contact you if they need more information or additional documents.
4. Decide whether to approve or deny the claim.

How Long Does It Take?

Processing times can vary, but many people find that it takes:

• Several weeks to a few months, depending on:
  • The complexity of the claim
  • Whether documents are complete and clear
  • The office’s current workload

You may be able to check the status of your claim on the official website or by contacting the South Dakota unclaimed property office directly with your claim number.

How Will You Receive the Money?

If your claim is approved, common payment methods include:

• Check by mail to your address on file
• In some cases, direct deposit (if the program offers it)
• For safe deposit box contents, you may receive:
  • Physical items by mail or pickup instructions
  • Proceeds from auction if the items were sold, with the value credited to you

The official notice from the state will explain how your funds or property will be delivered.

Common Reasons Claims Get Delayed or Denied

Understanding common issues can help you avoid delays:

• Incomplete documents
  • Missing proof of address, missing ID, or unreadable copies
• Name mismatch
  • Current name doesn’t match the name on the property and no proof of name change is provided
• Insufficient link to address or account
  • No documents showing you lived at the address or owned the account listed
• Estate paperwork missing
  • For a deceased owner, no death certificate or legal proof you’re authorized to claim on their behalf
• Unsigned forms
  • Forms not signed, or not notarized when required
• Wrong person claiming
  • Someone without legal authority (for example, a distant relative with no estate documentation) trying to claim the funds

If your claim is delayed, the office may send you a request for additional information. If it is denied, they should typically provide a reason, and you may have options to correct the issues and reapply.

Can You Appeal or Ask for a Review?

South Dakota’s exact process for appeals can vary, but in many cases, if your claim is denied, you can:

1. Contact the unclaimed property office directly to ask:
   • Why the claim was denied
   • What additional documents could resolve the problem
2. Submit additional documentation if the denial was due to missing or unclear information.
3. If there is a formal appeal process, follow the instructions in the denial letter or on the official website.

If the issue involves a complex estate or dispute among heirs, some people choose to talk with an attorney familiar with South Dakota probate and property law. That decision is personal and not required for most simple claims.

Do You Have to Pay a Fee or Use a Finder?

In South Dakota, you can usually file a claim for unclaimed property directly with the state at no charge.

Some private individuals or companies, sometimes called “finders” or “locators,” may:

• Contact you saying they’ve found money in your name
• Offer to help you claim it for a percentage of the asset or a fixed fee

Key points to understand:

• You do not need a third-party service to claim your property.
• The same claim can usually be filed for free through the official South Dakota unclaimed property office.
• If you choose to sign a contract with a finder, read the terms carefully and know that this is optional.

How to Make Sure You’re Using an Official Channel (Scam Avoidance Tips)

Because unclaimed property involves money, scammers sometimes try to take advantage of people. To protect yourself:

• ✅ Check the web address:
  • Official state websites usually end in “.gov”.
• ✅ Look for clear state branding:
  • References to the State of South Dakota, State Treasurer, or similar official department.
• ✅ Be cautious with personal information:
  • Do not give your full Social Security Number, banking details, or ID photos to unfamiliar individuals or unofficial websites.
• ✅ Be wary of upfront fees:
  • The state typically does not charge you to claim your property.
• ✅ Verify unexpected calls or emails:
  • If someone contacts you saying the state owes you money, hang up or ignore the email, then independently look up the South Dakota Treasurer’s Office or unclaimed property division and contact them directly using a phone number from a trusted source, not from the caller or email.

If you are unsure whether a site or letter is legitimate, you can:

• Call the State Treasurer’s Office or unclaimed property office using a publicly listed number.
• Ask them to confirm whether the communication you received is official.

What If You Don’t Find Any Unclaimed Property?

If your search does not show any property:

• Try searching again using:
  • Different spellings of your name
  • Previous names (such as maiden names)
  • Old addresses in South Dakota
• Remember that unclaimed property is state-based.
  • If you have lived or worked in other states, you may also want to search each other state’s official unclaimed property website.

Not finding anything today does not mean nothing will ever appear. Sometimes property is turned over to the state years after the original account or check was issued.

Where to Go Next to File Your Claim

To move forward with claiming unclaimed assets in South Dakota:

1. Go to the official South Dakota unclaimed property website operated by the State Treasurer’s Office (or equivalent state office).
2. Use the online search tool to look up your name, past names, and any businesses you’re connected with.
3. Start a claim for each property that appears to belong to you.
4. Follow the official instructions for submitting required documents, either online or by mail.
5. Keep copies of everything you send and your claim number for status checks.

HowToGetAssistance.org can help you understand the process, but all actual searches, claims, and payments must go through South Dakota’s official unclaimed property program or other government offices they direct you to.