South Dakota’s Unclaimed Property Office: What It Does and What It Holds

The South Dakota Unclaimed Property Office helps people find and claim money and property that legally belongs to them but has been “lost,” forgotten, or separated from the owner over time.

HowToGetAssistance.org is not a government office and not an application site. This guide explains, in plain language, how South Dakota’s unclaimed property system typically works and how you can move forward through official state channels.

What Is “Unclaimed Property” in South Dakota?

In South Dakota, unclaimed property usually means money or financial assets that:

• Belong to a person or business
• Have had no contact from the owner for a certain number of years
• Have been turned over to the State Treasurer / Unclaimed Property Office for safekeeping

The property is not taken away permanently. The state just holds it in trust until the rightful owner, or their heirs, make a valid claim.

Common reasons property becomes “unclaimed” include:

• You moved and didn’t update your address
• A bank account went dormant
• A check was never cashed
• A business closed and lost track of customers’ balances

What Does the South Dakota Unclaimed Property Office Do?

The South Dakota Unclaimed Property Office (through the State Treasurer’s office) usually has three main jobs:

1. Receive and safeguard unclaimed property

   • Banks, insurance companies, utilities, and other “holders” must report and send in unclaimed property after a set dormancy period (often 1–5 years, depending on the type).
   • The office records details like the owner’s name, last known address, and property type.

2. Maintain a searchable database of unclaimed property

   • The office typically runs an online search tool where you can look up your name or a family member’s name.
   • You can also search by business name in many cases.

3. Review and process claims from rightful owners

   • When someone believes property in the database belongs to them, they file a claim with proof of ownership and identity.
   • The office reviews documents, may ask for more information, and if approved, reunites the property with the owner or heirs.

Remember: HowToGetAssistance.org cannot access your records or process claims. To take action, you must use South Dakota’s official unclaimed property website, mailing address, or phone line.

What Types of Property Does South Dakota Hold?

The South Dakota Unclaimed Property Office typically holds financial and intangible property, not land or cars. Here are the most common categories:

Common Types of Unclaimed Property

• Dormant bank accounts

  • Checking or savings accounts that haven’t had activity or owner contact for a certain number of years.

• Uncashed checks

  • Payroll checks
  • Vendor or customer refund checks
  • Insurance claim checks

• Unclaimed wages or commissions

  • Paychecks from past jobs that were never cashed
  • Commissions that were never picked up or mailed successfully

• Utility deposits and refunds

  • Electric, gas, water, cable, or phone deposits
  • Overpayments that couldn’t be refunded due to a bad address

• Insurance proceeds

  • Life insurance benefits
  • Policy refunds or premium overpayments

• Stocks, mutual funds, and dividends

  • Shares in companies held through transfer agents or brokerage accounts
  • Dividends or distribution checks that were never cashed

• Safe deposit box contents

  • Jewelry, coins, documents, or collectibles from bank safe deposit boxes that have been abandoned
  • After a holding period, physical items may be sold at auction, but the cash value is still held for the owner.

• Gift cards and credit balances (in some cases)

  • Certain store or credit balances that become dormant and must be reported under state law

• Business property

  • Vendor credits
  • Customer refunds
  • Unused escrow funds

What the Office Usually Does Not Hold

• Real estate (land, homes)
• Vehicles (cars, trucks, boats)
• Personal loans between individuals
• Child support or alimony obligations

Those issues are normally handled through separate courts or agencies, not the unclaimed property system.

Who Can Claim South Dakota Unclaimed Property?

You may be able to claim unclaimed property from the South Dakota Unclaimed Property Office if you are:

• The original owner listed in the database
• A current or former South Dakota resident whose property was reported to the state
• An heir or executor of someone who has died
• A business owner, officer, or authorized representative of a company listed as the owner

You don’t always have to live in South Dakota now. What matters is usually where the company that reported the property is located and where the last known address on the account was.

If you see your name or your business name listed in the official database, you can typically file a claim through the state’s process.

How to Search for Unclaimed Property in South Dakota

HowToGetAssistance.org cannot search for you, but you can usually check for unclaimed property through South Dakota’s official unclaimed property search tool.

Typical Steps to Search

1. Go to the State Treasurer’s or Unclaimed Property Office’s official website.

   • Look for a section called “Unclaimed Property” or “Search for Your Property.”

2. Enter your information.

   • Try:
     • Your full legal name
     • Common nicknames or previous names
     • Maiden name
     • Old business names

3. Refine your search

   • Add a city or zip code if the tool allows.
   • Search under relatives’ names, especially deceased parents, grandparents, or spouses.

4. Review results carefully

   • Check the name, last known address, and sometimes business name or holder name (like a bank or insurance company).
   • If you see a match, you can usually click a button like “Claim” or “Start Claim” to begin the process.

If you don’t have internet access, you can usually:

• Call the South Dakota State Treasurer or Unclaimed Property Office and ask about mail-in or phone search options.
• Visit a state fair booth or outreach event when the office participates in public events (this varies by year).

Documents You May Need to Claim Property

Required documents depend on the type of owner (individual vs. business) and whether the original owner is living or deceased.

Here is a general overview:

For Individual Owners

You may need:

• Government-issued photo ID

  • Driver’s license
  • State ID card
  • Passport

• Proof of Social Security Number (if requested)

  • Social Security card
  • Tax form showing your full SSN

• Proof of current address

  • Utility bill
  • Lease or mortgage statement
  • Bank statement

• Proof of connection to the reported address (especially if it’s an old address)

  • Old bills or bank statements
  • Tax records listing that address

For Heirs or Estates

If the property owner has died, you may need:

• Death certificate
• Proof of relationship (for example):
  • Birth certificate (child of the owner)
  • Marriage certificate (spouse)
• Estate or probate documentation, such as:
  • Letters testamentary
  • Letters of administration
  • A small estate affidavit, if allowed by state law

The exact documents depend on South Dakota law and how the estate was handled. The Unclaimed Property Office usually gives specific instructions based on your situation.

For Businesses

If claiming on behalf of a business, you may need:

• Proof of authority
  • Document showing you are an officer, owner, or authorized representative
• Business documentation
  • Articles of incorporation or organization
  • Partnership agreement
  • Business license
• Tax ID number (EIN)
• Proof of business address

Quick Reference: Common Claim Situations

*Exact requirements are set by the South Dakota Unclaimed Property Office and can vary by case.

How to File a Claim with the South Dakota Unclaimed Property Office

You typically cannot complete a claim through HowToGetAssistance.org. You must use the official state process. Here’s how it generally works:

1. Start the Claim Online (Most Common)

1. Go to the official South Dakota unclaimed property website (usually under the State Treasurer).
2. Search for your name and locate each property you believe is yours.
3. Select each item and choose a button like “File a Claim”.
4. Fill out the online claim form, which may include:
   • Your name and contact information
   • Last known addresses
   • Your Social Security number or partial SSN (for identity verification)
5. Submit the claim form online. In many cases, you will get a claim number.

2. Submit Supporting Documents

After starting a claim, you usually must:

• Upload documents online, or
• Mail copies to the address provided by the State Treasurer’s office

Make sure documents are clear and readable. Do not send original documents unless the official office specifically instructs you to do so.

3. Mail-In Claims

If you cannot use the online system, ask the State Treasurer’s Unclaimed Property Office about:

• Downloadable claim forms you can print and mail, or
• Paper forms they can mail to you upon request

You would then:

1. Complete the form by hand.
2. Attach copies of supporting documents.
3. Mail everything to the official mailing address listed on the state’s materials.

What Happens After You File a Claim?

Once the South Dakota Unclaimed Property Office receives your claim and documents, they typically:

1. Review your information

   • Compare your documents to the details submitted by the original holder (bank, insurer, etc.).
   • Confirm identity and ownership.

2. Request more information (if needed)

   • If something doesn’t match or is incomplete, they may send a letter, email, or call you for:
     • Additional proof of address
     • Better copies of documents
     • Estate paperwork if the owner is deceased

3. Approve or deny the claim

   • Approved claims:
     • The state issues payment (usually by check) or transfers assets according to its policies.
   • Denied claims:
     • You should receive a notice explaining why, often with suggestions for what’s missing or how to correct the issue.

4. Timeframe

   • Processing time varies based on:
     • Volume of claims
     • Complexity of your situation (for example, estates take longer)
   • Many people receive responses in several weeks to a few months, but timelines can differ.

If your claim seems delayed, you can usually call or email the Unclaimed Property Office and reference your claim number for a status update.

Common Reasons Claims Are Delayed or Denied

Knowing common issues can help you avoid delays:

• Name mismatch

  • Spelling differences, maiden vs. married name, or nicknames not clearly documented.
  • Tip: Provide legal proof of name change (marriage certificate, court order).

• Insufficient proof of address

  • You cannot show you lived at or used the address listed on the account.
  • Tip: Look for old bills, tax forms, or bank statements showing that address.

• Missing documents for estates

  • For deceased owners, lack of death certificates or estate/legal authority.
  • Tip: Contact the probate court or an attorney if you’re unsure what estate documents you need.

• Incomplete or unreadable copies

  • Blurry documents, parts cut off, or missing pages.
  • Tip: Re-scan or re-copy documents clearly before sending.

• Incorrect or outdated contact information

  • If the office can’t reach you to clarify an issue, a claim may stall.
  • Tip: Make sure your phone, email, and mailing address are correct and updated.

If you receive a denial and believe it is incorrect, ask the Unclaimed Property Office about its review or appeal process. Some cases can be reconsidered if you send stronger documentation.

How Appeals or Reviews Usually Work

If the South Dakota Unclaimed Property Office denies your claim, you may have options to request a review:

1. Read the denial notice carefully

   • It may explain exactly what was missing or why they could not verify ownership.

2. Gather additional documentation

   • More robust ID
   • Additional proof of address or name
   • Legal documents for estates or business authority

3. Contact the office

   • Call or write to ask how to resubmit or appeal.
   • Follow any instructions about deadlines or specific forms.

4. Formal appeal (if available)

   • Some states allow a more formal appeal process or administrative hearing.
   • The exact process is set by South Dakota law and can be explained by the Unclaimed Property Office or a legal professional.

HowToGetAssistance.org does not handle appeals. For any dispute, you must work directly with the official state agency or consult an attorney if you need legal advice.

How to Verify You Are Using an Official South Dakota Channel

Because unclaimed property involves money, it can attract scams. To protect yourself:

Signs You’re on an Official Channel

• The site clearly identifies the State of South Dakota or South Dakota State Treasurer.
• The mailing address and phone numbers match those listed on:
  • Official state government materials
  • Printed brochures from state offices
• You can find the same phone numbers or addresses by:
  • Calling South Dakota state government information lines
  • Checking printed materials from the Treasurer’s office

Warning Signs of Possible Scams

• Someone contacts you saying you have unclaimed funds and demands upfront payment or “processing fees”.
• They pressure you to act immediately.
• They ask for full Social Security numbers, bank account logins, or other highly sensitive data in an email or text that doesn’t look official.
• The contact information doesn’t match the known state government contacts.

Tips to Stay Safe

• ✅ Initiate searches yourself using the state’s official website or phone numbers you obtain from trusted directories.
• ✅ Hang up and call back using a number you find independently if someone claims to be from the Unclaimed Property Office.
• ✅ Never give out bank account or debit card information just to search for unclaimed property.
• ✅ You may get legitimate outreach from the state, but you can always verify by calling the Treasurer’s office directly using a publicly listed number.

You can also dial 2-1-1 (in many areas) to ask for help locating the correct South Dakota state office if you are unsure.

If You Don’t Find Unclaimed Property or Don’t Qualify

Not everyone will have unclaimed property listed. If the search doesn’t show anything under your name:

• Try different spellings of your name.
• Search former addresses, previous married/maiden names, or old business names.
• Check additional states where you’ve lived or worked, using each state’s official unclaimed property website.

If you still don’t find anything, there is usually nothing to claim at this time. That doesn’t affect your eligibility for other assistance programs, such as:

• Public benefits (SNAP, Medicaid, TANF) – through your county or state human services department
• Housing assistance – through local housing authorities or HUD-supported programs
• Utility assistance – through local energy assistance programs, nonprofits, or your utility company

Each of these has its own separate rules and application processes.

By understanding what the South Dakota Unclaimed Property Office does and what types of property it holds, you can decide whether it makes sense to search for your name and, if needed, gather documents to file a claim through the state’s official channels.