Unclaimed Bank Accounts in South Dakota: Why They Happen and How to Claim What You’re Owed

Unclaimed money in South Dakota often comes from old bank accounts, forgotten CDs, or checks that were never cashed. If you’ve moved, changed banks, or lost track of accounts over the years, money that belongs to you may now be held by the State of South Dakota as unclaimed property.

This guide from HowToGetAssistance.org explains how unclaimed bank accounts usually end up with the state, how to search for them, and what to do to file a claim through official channels. This site is not an official government office, and you cannot file a claim here, but you can use this information to feel more prepared before you contact the official South Dakota unclaimed property office.

What Is an Unclaimed Bank Account in South Dakota?

An unclaimed bank account is generally a bank or credit union account that has had no customer-initiated activity for a certain period of time and the financial institution has been unable to contact the owner.

In South Dakota, typical unclaimed bank-related property can include:

• Checking accounts
• Savings accounts
• Certificates of deposit (CDs)
• Money market accounts
• Cashier’s checks or official bank checks
• Uncashed money orders or travelers checks (in some situations)
• Safe deposit box contents (handled a bit differently but still part of unclaimed property)

After a specific “dormancy period” (a length of time with no activity), state law usually requires banks to turn the money over to the South Dakota unclaimed property program. The state then holds the funds for the rightful owner or heirs, sometimes indefinitely.

How Do Bank Accounts Become “Unclaimed” in South Dakota?

Unclaimed accounts often happen for everyday reasons, not because of wrongdoing. Common situations include:

1. No activity for several years

If you do not:

• Deposit or withdraw money
• Update your address
• Log in to online banking (in some cases)
• Communicate with the bank about the account

for a certain number of years, your account may be considered dormant.

For many basic accounts, this period is often around 3 to 5 years, but the exact time can depend on account type and state rules at the time. When the dormancy period passes, the bank reports the account as unclaimed and sends it to the state.

2. Old addresses and returned mail

If bank mail keeps coming back as “undeliverable”, or your contact information is out of date, the bank may not be able to reach you. Over time, this can lead to:

• Account becoming inactive
• Account being escheated (transferred) to the state

Keeping your mailing address, email, and phone number up to date with the bank is one of the best ways to prevent this.

3. Moving, changing banks, or life events

People often lose track of accounts when they:

• Move out of South Dakota
• Change jobs or retire
• Open a new account and stop using the old one
• Go through divorce, illness, or death in the family

Sometimes a small balance is left behind and forgotten. Over time, this balance can end up as unclaimed property with the state.

4. Deceased owners and unclaimed estates

If someone passes away and:

• Heirs are not aware of all accounts, or
• The estate is never fully settled

those accounts may eventually be reported as unclaimed property in South Dakota under the deceased person’s name.

In those cases, heirs or estate representatives may eventually be able to claim the funds with proper documentation.

Who Typically Can Claim an Unclaimed Bank Account?

You may be able to file a claim with the South Dakota unclaimed property office if you are:

• The original account holder listed on the bank account
• A joint account holder
• An heir or beneficiary of a deceased owner
• The executor/personal representative of an estate
• A business owner or authorized officer if the account was in a business name

The unclaimed property office will usually require proof of identity and proof of your right to the funds before releasing any money.

How to Search for Unclaimed Bank Accounts in South Dakota

You generally cannot search or claim through HowToGetAssistance.org. To look for unclaimed accounts, you would typically go through:

1. The official South Dakota unclaimed property website

South Dakota’s state government normally operates an official online search tool where you can:

1. Enter your first and last name (and former names if any)
2. Search by business name if applicable
3. Look through results for your name, address, or city
4. Start a claim on any property that appears to belong to you

Look for an official website run by the South Dakota State Treasurer or another clearly identified state office. Check that:

• The web address ends in “.gov”
• The site clearly identifies a state agency and official contact information

2. National or multi-state unclaimed property search tools

Some well-known, non-profit or multi-state tools allow you to search several states at once. These tools don’t replace the state’s own portal, but they can help you find property if you:

• Used to live in other states
• Worked in multiple places
• Opened accounts in out-of-state banks

If you see a result in South Dakota, you will still need to go through the official South Dakota unclaimed property office to complete your claim.

3. Check all names and old addresses

To improve your search:

• Try maiden names or former married names
• Try nicknames or common misspellings
• Search any previous addresses you used in South Dakota
• Search under business names you owned

Sometimes an account is listed with an old address or slightly incorrect spelling, but you can still prove it is yours.

Step-by-Step: How to Claim an Unclaimed Bank Account in South Dakota

The exact process can change over time, but most people in South Dakota will follow a pattern similar to this:

Step 1: Confirm the property is yours

From the official search results, review:

• Name and spelling
• Last known address
• Type of property (e.g., bank account, refund, check)
• Reported amount range (sometimes listed as a range, not an exact number)

If it looks like your account, you usually click or select an option like “Claim” or “File a claim” on the state’s official unclaimed property website.

Step 2: Start an online claim or request a paper form

Most states, including South Dakota, provide at least:

• An online claim form, and/or
• A downloadable claim form you can print and mail

You will typically be asked to provide:

• Full legal name
• Current mailing address
• Phone number and/or email
• Social Security number or taxpayer ID (for verification and tax reporting)
• Property ID number from the search results

Follow the instructions on the official South Dakota portal or on the paper form. Do not send sensitive information to unofficial websites.

Step 3: Gather required documents

The unclaimed property office will usually ask for supporting documents. What you need depends on whether you are the owner, a spouse, an heir, or representing a business.

Common documents include:

• Proof of identity

  • Government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, state ID, passport)

• Proof of Social Security number

  • Social Security card, tax document, or pay stub (depending on state guidelines)

• Proof of address or connection to the property

  • Old utility bills showing the address on file
  • Old bank statements
  • Lease agreement or mortgage documents
  • W-2s or pay stubs with the address listed

• For name changes (marriage/divorce)

  • Marriage certificate
  • Divorce decree
  • Court order for name change

• For heirs of deceased owners

  • Death certificate
  • Will, trust, or court-appointed personal representative papers
  • Proof of relationship (birth certificate, marriage certificate, etc.)

• For business claims

  • Business formation documents
  • Proof of authority (e.g., corporate resolution, officer listing)
  • Tax ID documents

The table below can help you see typical document patterns:

Always follow the exact document list given by the South Dakota unclaimed property office for your specific claim type.

Step 4: Submit your claim package

Depending on South Dakota’s current process, you might:

• Upload documents online through the official portal, or
• Mail copies (not originals, unless specifically required) to the official unclaimed property office address

Make sure:

• Your claim form is signed and dated
• All pages are legible
• You keep copies of everything you send

Never send original IDs or critical legal documents unless the state office explicitly instructs you to do so and you understand the risk.

Step 5: Wait for review and respond to any follow-up

After you submit:

• The state unclaimed property office will review your claim
• They may contact you by mail, email, or phone if more information is needed
• Processing times can vary from a few weeks to several months, depending on volume and complexity

If approved, the state will usually issue payment by:

• Check mailed to your address, or
• Another approved method listed by the official office

The money typically does not go back to the original bank—it goes from the state directly to you.

Common Reasons Claims Are Delayed or Denied

Knowing common issues can help you avoid them:

1. Missing or incomplete documents

   • Not providing proof of address for the time period in question
   • Forgetting to sign the claim form

2. Name or address mismatch

   • Name on the claim does not match the name on the property, with no documentation of a name change
   • No proof of connection to the address listed on the property

3. Unclear relationship to the owner

   • Heir claims without enough proof of relationship
   • Estate claims without official appointment papers

4. Illegible or poor-quality copies

   • Documents that are blurry, cut off, or hard to read can cause delays

If your claim is delayed, you can usually:

• Check status through the official unclaimed property website, or
• Call the South Dakota unclaimed property office directly for updates

If your claim is denied, the office may send a letter explaining why and what, if anything, you can do next.

How Appeals or Reviews Usually Work

If you disagree with a decision:

• Some states allow you to submit additional documentation or a written explanation and ask for your claim to be reconsidered.
• In more complex cases, there may be a formal administrative review or appeal process.

Steps vary by state, but in South Dakota you would typically:

1. Carefully read the denial or deficiency letter
2. Gather additional proof that addresses the specific reason(s)
3. Contact the unclaimed property office using the official phone number or mailing address listed on your state correspondence
4. Ask about the appeal or reconsideration process and follow their instructions

Keep copies of all correspondence and notes of any phone calls, including dates and the names of staff you spoke with.

How Long Do You Have to Claim Unclaimed Bank Accounts in South Dakota?

Many states, including South Dakota, treat most unclaimed property as “perpetual”—meaning the state holds it for the rightful owner with no deadline to claim.

However:

• Some types of property may have different rules
• Laws can change over time
• There can be special rules for business property or certain financial instruments

If you find property in your name, it’s usually wise to claim it as soon as you reasonably can, rather than waiting.

Avoiding Scams: Make Sure You’re Using Official South Dakota Channels

Because unclaimed money is a common topic, scams do exist. To help protect yourself:

Signs of official channels

• The website ends in “.gov”
• The site clearly states it belongs to the State of South Dakota or a specific state office (such as the State Treasurer)
• There are official phone numbers and a physical mailing address for a state office
• Information about unclaimed property is also mentioned on other state government pages

Red flags to watch for

• A site asks for upfront payment or “processing fees” to search or claim your property
• Someone contacts you unexpectedly and demands bank account numbers, full Social Security number, or passwords by email, text, or phone
• Messages pressure you with urgent deadlines or threats

You can usually:

• Call the South Dakota unclaimed property office directly (using a number you look up yourself from a “.gov” site) to verify any request
• Ask for things in writing
• Decline to share sensitive personal information until you’re sure you’re dealing with a legitimate government contact

HowToGetAssistance.org is not an official agency and does not ask for or process claims, fees, or sensitive personal data for unclaimed property.

Tips to Prevent Future Unclaimed Accounts

Once you’ve checked for unclaimed money, you may want to reduce the chance of new accounts going unclaimed:

• Keep contact info current with your bank (mailing address, email, and phone)
• Make at least one small transaction (deposit or withdrawal) every year or so in each account
• Consider setting calendar reminders to review all your accounts regularly
• Keep a personal list of all banks, credit unions, and account types you use, and store it securely
• Let a trusted family member or executor know where your important financial records are kept

These simple habits can help you stay connected to your accounts and make it easier for your family to locate assets if something happens to you.

Unclaimed bank accounts in South Dakota are more common than many people realize, but the process to search and claim them is usually straightforward once you know where to go and which documents to prepare. By using the official South Dakota unclaimed property office and following their instructions, you can check whether any forgotten funds are waiting in your name and take the next steps through the proper government channels.