Tennessee Unclaimed Property Office: What It Does and How to Find Out What It Holds

Many people are surprised to learn that the State of Tennessee may be holding money or property in their name without them knowing it. That is exactly what the Tennessee Unclaimed Property Office deals with.

This guide explains, in plain English, what the Tennessee Unclaimed Property Office does, what types of property it holds, who can claim it, and how to start the process through official state channels.

HowToGetAssistance.org is not a government agency and not an application or claim portal. This article is meant to help you understand the process so you can contact the official Tennessee office with more confidence.

What Is the Tennessee Unclaimed Property Office?

The Tennessee Unclaimed Property Office is the state office responsible for:

• Receiving unclaimed money and other assets from businesses and institutions
• Safeguarding that property
• Keeping records of who is believed to own it
• Returning it to the rightful owners or heirs when they come forward and prove their claim

In most cases, property becomes “unclaimed” when a business or organization can’t find the owner for a certain period of time (called a dormancy period). At that point, they are required by law to turn it over to the state.

Typical holders that turn property over include:

• Banks and credit unions
• Insurance companies
• Utility companies
• Employers and payroll services
• Brokerage firms and other financial institutions
• Some government offices and courts

The Tennessee Unclaimed Property Office is not a benefits program and not a loan or grant. It is a custodial program that holds property already belonging to individuals or businesses until it is claimed.

What Types of Property Does Tennessee’s Unclaimed Property Office Hold?

The office holds many kinds of financial property, but not usually physical personal items. Below are common examples.

Common Types of Unclaimed Property

Money-related property:

• Uncashed checks
  • Payroll checks
  • Vendor or contractor checks
  • Refund checks
  • Insurance claim checks
• Bank accounts
  • Savings or checking accounts with no activity
  • Money market accounts
  • Certificates of deposit (after they mature and go inactive)
• Insurance proceeds
  • Life insurance policy benefits
  • Annuities that were never paid out
• Securities
  • Stocks
  • Mutual funds
  • Dividends that were never cashed
• Retirement-related items
  • Some types of old retirement accounts
  • Pension payments that were never received

Other financial property:

• Utility deposits or credits (for electricity, water, gas, phone, internet, etc.)
• Safe deposit box contents (these may be handled differently, and in some cases, contents may eventually be sold with proceeds held for the owner)
• Customer credits and refunds from businesses
• Money orders or traveler’s checks after a long period of no activity

Physical property like cars, furniture, or real estate is usually not handled by the Tennessee Unclaimed Property Office. However, money related to the sale or liquidation of assets might show up as unclaimed property.

Who Usually Has Unclaimed Property in Tennessee?

Almost anyone can have unclaimed property, including:

• Current or former Tennessee residents
• People who once lived, worked, or did business in Tennessee
• Heirs or beneficiaries of someone who has passed away
• Businesses and nonprofits with past activity in Tennessee

You might have unclaimed property if:

• You moved and didn’t update your address with a bank, employer, or service provider.
• You changed jobs and never received your final paycheck or 401(k) payout.
• A relative passed away, and you never knew about a life insurance policy or investment account.
• You closed an account but were owed a small remaining balance or a refund.
• You forgot about a utility deposit when you moved.

There is generally no fee charged by the state to search or file a claim through the official Tennessee unclaimed property system.

How to Check for Unclaimed Property in Tennessee

You cannot search or claim unclaimed property through HowToGetAssistance.org. To look for property, you must go through Tennessee’s official unclaimed property website or office.

Typical Steps to Search

1. Go to the official Tennessee unclaimed property website

   • Search online for terms like “Tennessee unclaimed property” or “Tennessee Department of Treasury unclaimed property”.
   • Make sure the site clearly identifies itself as an official state government site (often ending in “.gov”).

2. Use the search tool

   • Enter your last name, first name, and possibly a city or previous address.
   • Try variations of your name (maiden name, past married name, initials) if relevant.
   • If you are searching for a business or nonprofit, use the legal business name.

3. Review the results carefully

   • Look for matches to your name and address or places you have lived.
   • You may see:
     • The name of the person or business
     • The holder (bank, company, etc.)
     • A general description of the property (e.g., “bank account,” “wages,” “insurance”)
     • The approximate value range (exact details may not appear until later in the process)

4. Select the properties you believe are yours

   • Typically, there is an option such as “Claim” or “Start Claim” next to each listing.
   • You may be asked whether you are claiming as:
     • The original owner
     • A heir/beneficiary
     • A business representative

5. Follow the on-screen prompts to begin a claim

   • You’ll usually be guided through questions about your connection to the name, address, or person listed.

What Documents Do You Usually Need to Claim Property?

Document requirements can vary depending on:

• Whether you’re claiming for yourself or for someone else
• The type and value of the property
• Whether the original owner is alive or deceased

The table below summarizes common document types and when they may be needed.

*The official Tennessee office may ask for more or fewer documents depending on the situation.

Tip: When you start a claim online, the system or confirmation letter usually lists exactly which documents you’ll need to submit.

How to File a Claim with the Tennessee Unclaimed Property Office

Once you’ve identified potential matches, the next step is to file an official claim with the state. The general process often looks like this:

1. Start the Claim (Usually Online)

• From the official Tennessee unclaimed property website, select the property and choose something like “File a Claim”.
• Enter requested information, such as:
  • Your name
  • Current address
  • Contact information (phone, email)
  • Social Security number (or last four digits)
  • Details confirming your connection to the listed address or account

Some people may also start claims by mail or phone if the official office allows it, but online is often the primary method.

2. Receive Instructions from the State

After submitting the initial claim, you typically will:

• Get a claim number (important for future reference)
• Be told what supporting documents are required
• Receive instructions on how to send those documents:
  • Upload through a secure online portal
  • Mail to a specific state address
  • In rare cases, provide documents in person

3. Submit Your Documents

Be sure to:

• Follow the instructions exactly (for example, whether they accept copies or require notarized documents).
• Write your claim number on any mailed documents if requested.
• Keep copies of everything you send.

4. Wait for Review

Once your claim and documents are submitted:

• The Tennessee Unclaimed Property Office will review your information.
• Processing time may vary depending on:
  • Volume of claims
  • Complexity of your case
  • Whether documents are complete and clearly legible

If more information is needed, the office may contact you by mail, phone, or email, usually using the contact information you provided on your claim form.

5. Payment or Transfer of Property

If your claim is approved, the Tennessee Unclaimed Property Office typically:

• Issues a check in your name for the amount owed, or
• Arranges another form of payment or transfer, depending on the property type (for example, selling securities and paying you the value).

The exact method may be explained in your approval letter or on the official site.

What Happens After You File: Common Outcomes and Timelines

Timelines vary, but many people experience the following:

• Simple, low-dollar claims with clear documentation may be processed relatively quickly.
• Claims involving estates, multiple heirs, or business ownership may take longer due to additional verification steps.

You can usually:

• Check claim status using your claim number on the official Tennessee unclaimed property website or by contacting the office directly.
• Call the official unclaimed property phone line if you have questions about what additional documentation is needed.

Remember: You’re not guaranteed approval. The state must verify that you are legally entitled to the funds or property.

Reasons Claims Get Delayed or Denied

People sometimes run into problems that slow down or block their claim. Common issues include:

Incomplete or Missing Documents

• Not sending all documents listed in the instructions
• Forgetting to sign the claim form
• Leaving out proof of address or identity

How to avoid this: Carefully check the state’s instructions and ensure every required item is included before sending.

Mismatched Information

• Name on the claim does not match name on the property (for example, missing middle name or different spelling)
• Address records do not match what the state has on file

How to address this:

• Provide name change documents (marriage certificate, court order) if your name changed.
• Include multiple proofs of past addresses if you moved several times.

Ownership or Heirship Not Proven

• Claimant cannot show they are:
  • The actual owner
  • A legal heir
  • An authorized representative of a business or estate

How to address this:

• In estate cases, you may need:
  • Probate papers, letters of administration, or a small-estate affidavit
  • Relationship documents (birth certificates, marriage certificate)

How Appeals or Reconsiderations Usually Work

If the Tennessee Unclaimed Property Office denies your claim or sends a letter saying they cannot complete it:

1. Read the notice carefully. It should explain the main reason for denial or what is missing.
2. Gather any additional documents that may resolve the issue (for example, clearer ID, a corrected claim form, or missing legal papers).
3. Contact the office using the phone number or address listed in the notice to ask whether:
   • You can resubmit your claim with corrected information, or
   • There is a formal appeal or review process.

Procedures may vary, so it’s important to follow the specific instructions provided by the Tennessee office.

How to Verify You’re Using the Official Tennessee Unclaimed Property Office

Scams are common around unclaimed property. Some companies or individuals may:

• Charge fees to locate or claim your money
• Pretend to be associated with the state
• Request sensitive information on unofficial websites

You do not have to pay a third party to search for or claim your property through the official Tennessee system.

Tips to Make Sure You’re on an Official Channel

• Look for a “.gov” website address when searching online for Tennessee unclaimed property.
• Confirm the site or contact information matches what is listed on the Tennessee Department of Treasury or other recognized state government sources.
• Be wary of:
  • Websites that look unprofessional or do not clearly state they are an official Tennessee government site
  • Emails or texts asking you to provide full Social Security numbers or bank details on unfamiliar websites
  • People who cold call you and demand immediate payment or personal information

If in doubt, call:

• The main Tennessee state government information line, or
• The Tennessee Department of Treasury office, and ask to be connected to Unclaimed Property.

What If You Don’t Qualify or There Is No Property in Your Name?

Sometimes, a search shows no unclaimed property for you, or you are not eligible to claim what appears.

In that case, you might consider:

• Searching under all former names (maiden name, past married name, business names).
• Checking:
  • Other states where you have lived or worked
  • States where a deceased relative lived, worked, or held accounts
• Contacting former:
  • Employers
  • Insurance companies
  • Utility providers
    to ask if they have any old refunds or records that may not yet have been turned over.

If you still find nothing, it simply means the Tennessee Unclaimed Property Office is not currently holding property in your name. This status can change over time if old accounts or funds are later reported to the state, so some people choose to check again periodically.

Quick Reference: Key Takeaways About Tennessee’s Unclaimed Property Office

• The Tennessee Unclaimed Property Office holds money and certain assets that belong to individuals, businesses, and heirs but couldn’t be delivered by the original holder.
• Common items include uncashed checks, bank accounts, insurance payouts, dividends, utility deposits, and some safe deposit box contents.
• You might have unclaimed property if you moved, changed jobs, or lost touch with a financial institution or employer.
• To search and claim, you must use Tennessee’s official unclaimed property website or office, not HowToGetAssistance.org.
• Expect to provide proof of identity, proof of address, and—if claiming for someone else—documents proving your legal right to the property.
• Claims can be delayed or denied if documents are incomplete, names don’t match, or ownership/heirship is not clearly proven.
• Always verify you are dealing with an official Tennessee government channel before sharing personal information.

By understanding what the Tennessee Unclaimed Property Office does and what it holds, you can take informed steps through official state resources to see whether any forgotten funds may be waiting for you or your family.