Step-by-Step Guide to Finding Unclaimed Assets in Utah

Many people are surprised to learn they might have unclaimed money sitting with the State of Utah and not even know it. This can include old paychecks, forgotten bank accounts, utility deposits, and more.

This guide explains, in plain language, how to search for and claim unclaimed property in Utah, what documents you may need, and how to work with official state offices to get your money back.

HowToGetAssistance.org is an informational website only. It does not process claims, store property, or handle any government applications. Instead, this guide helps you understand how to use Utah’s official channels.

What “Unclaimed Property” Means in Utah

Unclaimed property (also called unclaimed assets) usually means money or property that a business or organization couldn’t deliver to its rightful owner and was turned over to the state.

In Utah, this commonly includes:

• Uncashed paychecks or payroll checks
• Old bank or credit union accounts (checking, savings, CDs)
• Refunds and overpayments from utilities or phone companies
• Insurance proceeds or benefits
• Customer credits or store refunds
• Uncashed money orders or cashier’s checks
• Safe deposit box contents (like jewelry or important papers)
• Dividends or securities (stocks, mutual funds)

Typically, property becomes “unclaimed” after a period of no contact with the owner (often 1–5 years, depending on the type of asset). When that happens, Utah law usually requires the business to send the property to the state unclaimed property office.

The good news: the state holds this property until the rightful owner (or heirs) claim it.

Who Can Usually Claim Unclaimed Assets in Utah?

You may be able to claim property if you are:

• The person listed as the owner (your own name, maiden name, or previous name)
• A business owner or officer for a company listed as the owner
• An heir or legal representative of someone who has died
• A guardian, conservator, or power of attorney, if you are legally allowed to act on someone’s behalf

In general, you need to show:

• That you are the same person (or business) listed on the property, or
• That you are legally entitled to the property (as an heir, executor, or legal representative).

Step 1: Gather Basic Information Before You Search

You can usually search without documents first, but having a few details ready will make the process easier and help confirm any matches.

Have ready:

• Full legal name (including middle name or initial)
• Previous names (maiden name, married name, name changes)
• Common misspellings of your name (if applicable)
• Current and past Utah addresses, especially:
  • Places you lived
  • Old rental addresses
  • Old business or office addresses
• Business name(s) you own or owned (including past names)

Optional but helpful:

• Approximate years you lived or worked in Utah
• Names of past employers, banks, or utility companies in Utah

You do not usually need Social Security numbers to do the initial search, but you may need that information later when filing a claim through the state’s official process.

Step 2: Use Utah’s Official Unclaimed Property Search

Utah’s unclaimed property system is usually managed by the state treasurer’s office or a similar state agency. To find your unclaimed assets, you would typically:

1. Go to Utah’s official unclaimed property website.
   • You can usually find it by searching online for:
     “Utah unclaimed property official site” or
     “Utah State Treasurer unclaimed money”.
2. Look for a button or link like “Search for Unclaimed Property” or “Search Claims.”
3. Enter your last name, then first name, and optionally a city or zip code.
4. Review the search results for:
   • Your current name
   • Previous names
   • Old addresses or employers you recognize

🔎 Tip: Run multiple searches using:

• Your current name
• Former names
• Common misspellings (for example, “Johnson” and “Johnsen”)
• Business names you use or used

If you find a match, you can usually start a claim directly through the official Utah site. That claim will not be processed by HowToGetAssistance.org; it is handled by the state’s unclaimed property office.

Step 3: Identify Which Claims Are Likely Yours

When you see search results, each entry typically shows:

• Name of owner
• Last known address or city
• Holder name (the business or organization that turned the property over)
• Sometimes, a general property type (e.g., payroll, bank account, refund)

Look for matches that line up with:

• Your full or former name
• An address where you lived, worked, or had mail delivered
• A business or organization you recognize (like an old employer or bank)

If you see property that might be yours:

1. Select the property (usually by checking a box or clicking a button like “Claim” or “Add to Claim”).
2. Confirm that you are the right person or an authorized claimant.
3. Prepare to submit a claim through Utah’s official online system or by following their printed claim form instructions.

Step 4: Understand the Different Types of Claimants

Utah’s official site usually asks what type of claimant you are because the required documents differ.

Here is a quick overview:

*Exact requirements can vary. The official Utah unclaimed property office will list needed documents for your situation.

Step 5: Prepare the Documents Utah May Require

Once you select your property and start the claim on Utah’s official site, you’ll usually be asked for supporting documentation. Requirements vary based on the type of claim, but common items include:

For Individual Owners

• Government-issued photo ID, such as:
  • Utah driver license
  • State ID card
  • Passport
• Proof of Social Security number (for example, SSN card, W‑2, 1099, or pay stub)
• Proof you lived at or used the address on the claim, such as:
  • Old utility bills
  • Bank statements
  • Lease agreements
  • Tax documents
• If your name changed:
  • Marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order showing name change

For Business Claims

• Business registration or formation documents (articles of incorporation, LLC documents)
• Employer Identification Number (EIN) or tax ID
• Proof you are authorized to claim for the business:
  • Corporate resolution
  • Officer/owner documentation
  • Letter on company letterhead
• Possibly documents linking the business to the address on the claim (leases, utility bills, tax returns)

For Heirs or Estates

If the owner has passed away, Utah may require:

• Death certificate for the deceased owner
• Proof you are an heir or legal representative, such as:
  • Will naming you as beneficiary or executor
  • Letters testamentary or letters of administration from probate court
  • Affidavit of heirship (if applicable under Utah law)
• Documents showing your relationship to the deceased:
  • Birth certificate
  • Marriage certificate
  • Other relevant family records
• Identification documents for you, like a driver license or state ID

The official Utah unclaimed property office usually lists acceptable document types and how to submit them.

Step 6: Submit Your Claim Through Official Utah Channels

After gathering your documents, you typically have two main ways to submit your claim to Utah’s unclaimed property office:

1. Online Submission (If Available)

Most people:

1. Upload digital copies (scans or clear photos) of their documents through Utah’s official unclaimed property site.
2. Verify all information is correct.
3. Submit the claim electronically.

You may receive a claim number or confirmation message. Keep this for your records.

2. Mail-In Claim

In some cases, you may need or prefer to print and mail the claim form. Typical steps:

1. Print the official claim form from Utah’s unclaimed property site.
2. Fill it out completely and sign where required.
3. Attach copies (not originals, unless specifically requested) of all supporting documents.
4. Mail the claim to the official address listed on the form or on the state’s unclaimed property website.

If you have questions about how to submit, you can contact the Utah unclaimed property office or state treasurer’s office at their official phone number, usually listed on the state’s website.

HowToGetAssistance.org cannot accept or forward any claims or documents.

Step 7: What to Expect After You File a Claim

Processing times can vary based on:

• The volume of claims
• The complexity of your claim (individual vs. estate)
• Whether your documents are complete and readable

Generally, after you submit a claim:

1. The state reviews your information and documents.
2. They may reach out by mail, email, or phone if:
   • They need more information
   • Documents are missing or unclear
3. If approved, you usually receive a check or payment from the State of Utah for the value of the property.
   • Physical items from safe deposit boxes may be handled differently and may involve separate steps.

You can typically use your claim number to check status through the official site or by calling the state office.

Common Reasons Utah Unclaimed Property Claims Are Delayed or Denied

If there’s a problem with your claim, it is often due to:

• Missing documents (for example, no proof of address or no ID)
• Unclear ownership (not enough proof that you or your business are the rightful owners)
• Name discrepancies, such as:
  • Different spellings
  • Missing middle names or initials
  • Name changes with no proof
• Incomplete forms (missing signatures, unanswered questions)
• Estate issues (no legal authority yet to act for a deceased person’s property)

To avoid problems:

• Double-check your form for accuracy and completeness.
• Provide clear copies of all documents.
• If your name or address is different from what appears on the claim, include documents that connect the dots (like marriage certificates, name change orders, or past bills).

If your claim is denied, you can usually ask the Utah unclaimed property office what additional information may help or whether there is a review or appeal process.

Searching Beyond Utah: Multi-State Unclaimed Property Tips

People often move or work in more than one state. Even if you are focusing on Utah, it’s wise to:

• Search in other states where you have lived or worked.
• Search under:
  • Previous names
  • Maiden names
  • Business names
• Consider checking for relatives who may have passed away, especially if you are an executor or legal heir.

Most states have their own unclaimed property websites run by their state treasurers or revenue departments. You can usually find them by searching:
“[State Name] unclaimed property official site”.

How to Avoid Unclaimed Property Scams

Unfortunately, unclaimed money attracts scammers. You can protect yourself by understanding how legitimate government offices operate.

Red Flags to Watch For

Be cautious if:

• Someone contacts you unexpectedly claiming you have unclaimed money and demands:
  • Upfront payment
  • Bank account numbers
  • Sensitive personal information that doesn’t seem necessary
• The person or company:
  • Refuses to direct you to an official Utah government website
  • Uses generic email addresses or unclear company names
• A website:
  • Does not clearly identify itself as an official Utah government site
  • Has unusual web addresses (spelling errors, strange domain endings)

How to Verify You’re Using an Official Utah Channel

• Type the web address yourself rather than clicking links in emails or texts.
• Look for clear references on the site to:
  • State of Utah
  • Utah State Treasurer
  • Or another official state agency
• Use a trusted search engine to find “Utah unclaimed property” and follow links that clearly indicate a state-owned site.
• If unsure, call the Utah state treasurer’s office or the unclaimed property division using a phone number listed on the main State of Utah government website.

Remember:
You do not need to pay a third-party company to search or claim unclaimed property. The official Utah search and claim process is typically free through the state.

If You Don’t Find Anything in Utah

If your search does not turn up any unclaimed assets under your name in Utah:

• Double-check:
  • Spelling variations
  • Old addresses
  • Maiden or former names
• Try other states where:
  • You have lived
  • You have worked
  • You may have opened accounts or held policies

Also consider other financial steps:

• Review your credit reports for old accounts.
• Contact past employers, banks, or insurance companies directly if you suspect missing pay or benefits.
• Call 211 for general referrals to financial counseling or assistance resources in your area, if needed.

Quick Checklist: Finding Unclaimed Assets in Utah

Use this simple checklist to stay on track:

1. Collect your information

   • Full and former names
   • Current and past Utah addresses
   • Business names (if any)

2. Search Utah’s official unclaimed property site

   • Run multiple searches with different name variations.

3. Review your results

   • Match names, addresses, and businesses you recognize.

4. Select property and start a claim

   • Indicate if you are an individual, business, heir, or other type of claimant.

5. Gather documents

   • Photo ID
   • Proof of Social Security number (if requested)
   • Proof of address
   • Legal documents (for estates, businesses, or guardianships)

6. Submit your claim

   • Upload documents online through the official portal, or
   • Mail a completed claim form and copies of documents to the official Utah unclaimed property address.

7. Follow up as needed

   • Keep your claim number.
   • Respond promptly if the state requests more information.

By following these steps and working directly with Utah’s official unclaimed property office, you can check whether you have unclaimed assets and, if so, take the necessary steps to request them through the proper government channels.