Money Search

Money Search - TEXAS

Comptroller of Public Accounts
Unclaimed Property Division
Research and Correspondence Section
Post Office Box 12019
Austin, Texas 78711-2019

Search: https://txcpa.cpa.state.tx.us/up/Search.jsp

By telephone: 1-800-654-FIND (3463)

• There is a limit of three name searches when calling by phone.

How do I find out if I have unclaimed property?

On this website, click on "Searching Online", follow the directions, and provide all requested information. If you prefer to call or write, you will need to provide the owner's name, all previous and current Texas addresses, and a taxpayer identification number or social security number. If a search of our database results in any matches between the information you provide and data reported to us, possible ownership is indicated, and we will mail a claim form to you.

How does the claim process work?

The claim form includes instructions for its completion and describes documentation that will be needed in addition to the form. All claim types have general requirements such as:

• standard forms of identification for the owner and for the claimant, if someone other than the original owner is claiming
• verification of the reported address if different than the current address
• death certificate and probated will or other heirship documents if the original owner is deceased
• specific documentation according to the type of property such as a bank statement, insurance policy, the original uncashed check, etc.

When we receive your completed claim form, we review it carefully. If there is not sufficient proof of ownership , we may contact you or the reporting institution for further information. We generally process and pay claims within 60 to 90 days of receipt.

Is there a charge for this service?

There is no charge for the inquiry process. If your claim is approved, we will deduct a handling fee from the amount returned to you. For claim payments of $100 to $5,000, the fee is 1%. For claims in excess of $5,000, the fee is 1.5%. Claims for less than $100 are not assessed a fee.

What is the maximum fee that can be charged by a search firm?

Texas law limits the fee charged by all search firms or private investigators that assist owners in locating and claiming abandoned property to no more than 10% of the amount recovered.

Susan Combs
Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts

 

General Information

What is unclaimed property?

Unclaimed Property can be any financial asset that appears to have been abandoned by the owner for more than one year. Some examples of property that can become abandoned are:

• Dividend, payroll or cashier's checks
• Stocks, mutual fund accounts, bonds
• Utility deposits and other refunds
• Bank accounts and safe deposit box contents
• Insurance proceeds
• Mineral interest or royalty payments
• Court deposits, trust funds, escrow accounts

Why does it come to the State?

The unclaimed property law requires financial institutions, businesses, and government entities to report to the state, personal property they are holding that is considered abandoned or unclaimed.

The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts is responsible for administering the Texas Unclaimed Property Program. Property is turned over to the Comptroller's office annually when the owner's whereabouts are unknown and the property has been inactive on the books of the reporting company after the appropriate abandonment period has run.

Unclaimed Property Statutes

Chapters 72 through 75 of the Texas Property Code govern the State of Texas Unclaimed Property Program. To view the statutes applying to the abandonment of property, property held by financial institutions, report delivery and claim process, or Texas minerals, go to the Texas Property Code and scroll down to Title 6, Unclaimed Property, then click on the appropriate chapter.

Chapter 76 of the Texas Property Code governs the Texas county, municipality, and independent school district (ISD) programs. To view the statute applying to the report, delivery, and claims process for properties held at the county, municipality, and ISD level, go to the Texas Property Code and scroll down to Title 6, Unclaimed Property, then, click on the link to Chapter 76.

Is there a time limit for claiming my property?

No, the Comptroller's office acts only as custodian for the missing owners, holding the property in trust until it is claimed. Texas never takes legal ownership of the property, so there is no time limit for filing a claim.

What efforts are made to find owners?

• A newspaper insert is published annually listing the owner names reported each year.
• An annual exhibit at the Texas State Fair provides searches of the Comptroller's database of owners.
• Notices may be mailed to owners reported with complete last known addresses
• In addition, this web site provides a database search feature for you to locate property that may be yours.