Vermont’s Unclaimed Property Office: What It Does and What It Holds

The Vermont Unclaimed Property Office helps people reconnect with money and property that were lost, forgotten, or never delivered to them. This can include things like old bank accounts, uncashed checks, and utility deposits.

This guide from HowToGetAssistance.org explains how the Vermont unclaimed property system typically works, what kinds of property it may hold, and how you can take the next step through official state channels. This site is not a government office and does not process claims, but it can help you understand what to expect.

What Is Vermont Unclaimed Property?

In plain language, unclaimed property is money or property that a business or organization owes to a person or company, but the owner:

• Didn’t collect it,
• Couldn’t be located, or
• Stopped using the account and became “inactive” for a certain number of years.

When that happens, Vermont law generally requires the business (called the holder) to turn that property over to the state’s Unclaimed Property Office, usually housed under the Vermont State Treasurer.

The state then:

• Safeguards the property,
• Keeps records of who it belongs to, and
• Provides a way for owners or heirs to file a claim to get it back.

Most states, including Vermont, do not take ownership of the money in a way that erases your rights. Instead, they hold it for the rightful owner or heirs, often with no time limit to claim.

What Does the Vermont Unclaimed Property Office Hold?

The Vermont Unclaimed Property Office typically holds financial property, not physical items (with some exceptions). Common examples include:

Common Types of Unclaimed Property

• Old bank accounts

  • Checking or savings accounts with no activity
  • Certificates of deposit (CDs) that were never cashed in

• Uncashed checks

  • Payroll or wages
  • Refund checks
  • Insurance claim checks
  • Vendor or contractor payments

• Insurance-related funds

  • Life insurance benefits that were never paid out
  • Policy refunds or dividends

• Utility and service deposits

  • Electric, gas, water deposits
  • Cable or internet deposits
  • Phone service deposits

• Investment-related property

  • Stock dividends
  • Brokerage accounts that went dormant
  • Certain retirement accounts, depending on the situation

• Business-related property

  • Credit balances on customer accounts
  • Refunds for overpayments
  • Unused gift certificates or gift cards (depending on Vermont law and terms)

• Safe deposit box contents (less common, but possible)

  • Jewelry, coins, documents
  • These are often held for a period of time; in some states, unclaimed items may eventually be auctioned, with proceeds held for the owner.

What the Office Usually Does Not Hold

The Vermont Unclaimed Property Office does not usually handle:

• Real estate (houses, land)
• Cars or vehicles
• Personal property left behind in rental units
• Child support payments or court-ordered restitution
• Federal benefits like Social Security or VA benefits

Those types of issues are generally handled by other agencies or courts. If you’re unsure, the unclaimed property staff can typically point you in the right direction.

Who Might Have Unclaimed Property in Vermont?

You don’t have to be a current Vermont resident to have property held by the Vermont Unclaimed Property Office. You may have unclaimed property if:

• You once lived, worked, or did business in Vermont
• You opened a bank account in Vermont and stopped using it
• You rented an apartment and had a security deposit
• You had utilities or phone service in Vermont
• You worked for a Vermont employer and never cashed a paycheck
• A friend or family member who passed away lived in Vermont and left behind accounts or policies

Even if you moved away years ago, your property might still be there.

What the Vermont Unclaimed Property Office Actually Does

The Unclaimed Property Office is mainly a custodian and record-keeper. Its core responsibilities usually include:

1. Receiving Property From Businesses

Businesses and organizations that owe money to people they cannot locate must:

• Try to contact the owner after an account has been inactive for a certain period (often 1–5 years, depending on the type of property and state rules), and
• If they fail to reach the owner, report and transfer the funds or property to the state.

The office logs it by:

• Name of the owner
• Last known address
• Type and value of property
• Name of the business that reported it

2. Maintaining a Public Searchable Database

Most states, including Vermont, offer an online search tool where you can look up:

• Your name
• Prior names (such as maiden names)
• Business names you own or owned

Results typically show:

• The name tied to the property
• The city or last known address
• A general description (like “insurance,” “wages,” or “utility refund”)

You then follow instructions on the official state website or by phone to start the claim process.

3. Reviewing and Approving Claims

When someone files a claim, the office:

• Checks that the person is the rightful owner or authorized heir
• Reviews submitted documents
• Confirms the match to the account or item on file
• Approves or denies the claim, or asks for more information

If approved, the state typically issues a check or processes a payment for the amount owed. For stocks or other investments, they may either return the asset or issue the cash value, depending on state practices and timing.

4. Protecting Residents From Fraud and Loss

The office also works to:

• Protect your rights to your missing money
• Provide free claiming—you should not need to pay to claim property yourself
• Educate people about avoiding scams (more on that later)

How to Search for Vermont Unclaimed Property

You generally do not need a lawyer or paid company to search for unclaimed property in Vermont. The process is designed for regular consumers.

While HowToGetAssistance.org cannot perform this search for you, you can usually:

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

   • Look for a section labeled “Unclaimed Property”, “Search for Unclaimed Property”, or similar wording.

2. Search by name.

   • Try full legal name, maiden names, nicknames, and common misspellings.
   • Search for your current and past addresses in Vermont.
   • If you own or owned a business, search under the business name as well.

3. Review your search results.

   • Look for matches with:
     • Your name
     • Your city or old address
     • Past employers or companies you did business with

4. Note the claim or property ID given in the results for any accounts that look like they might be yours.

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

• Call the Vermont Unclaimed Property Office using the phone number listed with the Vermont State Treasurer’s office, or
• Ask a local public library or community center for help accessing the state’s official unclaimed property website.

What Documents You May Need to Claim Vermont Unclaimed Property

The exact documents can vary based on:

• The type of property
• Whether you’re claiming for yourself, your business, or a deceased relative
• Vermont’s current rules

However, common document requests include:

For Individuals Claiming Their Own Property

You may be asked for:

• Government-issued photo ID

  • Driver’s license
  • State ID
  • Passport

• Proof of Social Security number (if requested)

  • Social Security card
  • Tax document with your SSN (like a W-2)

• Proof of current address (sometimes)

  • Recent utility bill
  • Lease agreement
  • Bank statement

• Proof of the address associated with the unclaimed property (if different from your current address)

  • Old utility bill
  • Old pay stub
  • Old lease or mortgage statement

For Heirs or Executors (Claiming for a Deceased Person)

You may be asked for:

• Death certificate of the deceased
• Proof of your relationship to the deceased
  • Birth certificate
  • Marriage certificate
  • Will or estate documents
• Legal authority to claim on behalf of the estate
  • Letters testamentary or letters of administration
  • Court appointment as executor or administrator

For Businesses or Organizations

You may be asked for:

• Business identification documents

  • Articles of incorporation or organization
  • Business license
  • Tax ID document

• Proof of authority to act for the business

  • Corporate resolution
  • Letter on company letterhead
  • Documentation naming you as an officer or authorized representative

Quick Reference: Common Documents Table

*Exact requirements can vary. Always check the current instructions on Vermont’s official unclaimed property website or by calling the office.

How the Claim Process Usually Works in Vermont

Every state has its own procedures, but Vermont’s process typically follows a general pattern:

Step 1: Identify Property That Might Be Yours

• Search the official Vermont unclaimed property database.
• Make a list of any entries that likely belong to you or your business.
• Note the claim ID or property reference number.

Step 2: Start a Claim Through Official Channels

On the official Vermont unclaimed property website, you can typically:

• Select the items you’re claiming
• Fill out a claim form online or download a form
• Provide basic information:
  • Name
  • Current mailing address
  • Social Security number or tax ID (if requested)
  • Contact information
  • Explanation of your connection to the property

If you prefer not to use the internet, you may be able to:

• Request a claim form by mail or by calling the Vermont Unclaimed Property Office
• Fill it out and mail it back with copies of the required documents

Step 3: Gather and Submit Supporting Documents

• Make clear copies (front and back if needed) of requested documents.
• Follow any Vermont-specific instructions about not sending originals unless they are explicitly required.
• Submit documents:
  • By uploading them securely through the official online portal, or
  • By mailing them to the address specified on the claim form.

Step 4: Wait for Review

Processing time can vary based on:

• How many claims the office is handling
• How complex your claim is
• Whether your documents are complete and readable

Some claims may be handled in a few weeks, while others can take longer, especially estate-related claims.

Step 5: Receive a Decision

The Vermont Unclaimed Property Office will typically:

• Approve the claim and send a payment (or otherwise return the asset), or
• Ask for more documentation if something is missing or unclear, or
• Deny the claim if the office cannot confirm you are the rightful owner.

If approved, most people receive:

• A check mailed to the address on the claim, or
• Another form of payment as explained by the office.

Common Reasons Vermont Unclaimed Property Claims Get Delayed or Denied

Understanding common issues can help you avoid problems.

Frequent Causes of Delays

• Missing documents

  • Not including proof of address or identity
  • Not providing estate documents for deceased-owner claims

• Unreadable copies

  • Blurry or dark photocopies
  • Cut-off edges of ID or address documents

• Name or address mismatches

  • Name spelled differently on different documents
  • No documentation showing you lived at the address linked to the account

• Complex ownership situations

  • Joint accounts
  • Trusts, estates, or business structures

Possible Reasons for Denial

• The office determines the property belongs to someone else with a similar name.
• Another person already claimed the property with stronger proof.
• You are not legally authorized to claim the property (for example, a distant relative without proper estate documentation).
• Documents do not match the information reported by the holder (e.g., different Social Security number, different date of birth).

If your claim is denied, read the notice carefully. It often explains:

• Why the claim was denied
• What, if anything, you can do to correct the issue or appeal

How Reviews or Appeals Usually Work

Vermont, like other states, may offer options to challenge a decision or submit more information if you disagree with the outcome.

Typical next steps might include:

1. Providing additional documents

   • If the denial was due to missing or incomplete documentation, you may be able to send more proof.

2. Requesting a reconsideration

   • Some claims can be reviewed again if you have new evidence that supports your ownership.

3. Formal appeal

   • In some situations, claimants may have access to a more formal appeal or review process, which could involve written arguments or, in rare cases, a hearing.
   • The details of this process are usually explained in the denial notice or on the official Vermont unclaimed property website.

If you’re unsure how to proceed, you can:

• Call the Vermont Unclaimed Property Office and ask what options exist
• Consider speaking with an attorney familiar with property or estate law if your situation is complex

How to Tell You’re Using an Official Vermont Unclaimed Property Channel

Because unclaimed property can involve money, it can attract scammers. It’s important to make sure you’re dealing with the official Vermont agency.

Here are some ways to protect yourself:

Signs You’re Likely on an Official Channel

• The site clearly identifies itself as the Vermont State Treasurer, State of Vermont, or official state government.
• The web address ends in something like “.gov”.
• Phone numbers match those listed on other official Vermont state materials.
• The service is free to search and file a claim.

Red Flags for Possible Scams

• Someone calls, texts, or emails you unexpectedly and demands:

  • Upfront fees
  • Banking information
  • Credit card numbers

• The person:

  • Claims to be from a “government refund agency” but gives you a non-government email or website
  • Applies high-pressure tactics, like claiming you will lose your money if you don’t pay immediately
  • Refuses to provide an official state office name or phone number that you can independently verify

• A website:

  • Charges money just to search for your property
  • Looks unprofessional or uses confusing, misleading language

About “Finders” or “Locators”

Sometimes, private individuals or companies—often called “finders” or “locators”—offer to help you claim your money in exchange for a percentage of what you receive.

Keep in mind:

• Vermont’s official unclaimed property services are generally free.
• You are usually not required to use a third party to file a claim.
• If you choose to work with a finder:
  • Read any contract carefully.
  • Check Vermont’s rules—many states limit how much they can charge.
  • Confirm that you could also file the claim yourself directly with the state.

If you’re unsure whether a communication is legitimate, you can:

• Look up the Vermont State Treasurer’s office or Vermont Unclaimed Property Office independently (not using the link or number provided in the suspicious message), and
• Contact them directly to ask whether the outreach you received is real.

If You Do Not Find Any Unclaimed Property in Vermont

It’s common to search and find nothing listed in your name. That doesn’t mean the system isn’t working—it may simply mean:

• No one has ever reported property in your name, or
• Property hasn’t yet reached the required “dormancy period” and is still with the business, or
• A business hasn’t yet reported it.

You can consider:

• Checking for variations of your name (middle initials, former names).
• Searching under business names you may have used.
• Checking in other states where you’ve lived, worked, or held accounts.
• Searching again periodically—new property is reported to states on a regular basis.

If you believe a specific Vermont business still owes you money (like a deposit or refund) that hasn’t shown up in the state database, you can:

• Contact the business directly with your documentation, and
• Ask whether they have turned it over to Vermont’s Unclaimed Property Office, and if so, when and under what name/address.

Key Takeaways About Vermont’s Unclaimed Property Office

• The Vermont Unclaimed Property Office is a state-run custodian of money and property that businesses could not successfully return to the rightful owner.
• It typically holds financial assets—uncashed checks, old bank accounts, insurance payments, deposits, and similar items.
• You can usually search for free using your name through the official Vermont state website or by contacting the Unclaimed Property Office.
• To claim property, you generally must provide proof of identity, address, and ownership, and in estate cases, proof of legal authority.
• Claims can be delayed or denied if information is incomplete or does not match state records.
• You do not have to pay a third party to file a claim. Always verify you are on an official government site or speaking with an official office before sharing personal information.

HowToGetAssistance.org cannot process unclaimed property claims or check your status, but you can use this information to confidently take your next steps directly with the Vermont Unclaimed Property Office or the Vermont State Treasurer’s office.