Free printable
Unclaimed Money Search Checklist: Free Printable
By Jason Su · Updated October 25, 2026
Unclaimed money hides in one predictable way: nobody searches under the right name, in the right state, at the right time. This checklist fixes all three. It gives you a single page to list every state to search, every name to try, and every federal source to check, with a place to write down what you find.
Use it for yourself or for someone whose affairs you are handling. Either way the search is free, and the only way to miss money is to skip a box.
The checklist
States to search
| State lived in | Names to try | Searched | Found? |
|---|---|---|---|
| [ ] | |||
| [ ] | |||
| [ ] | |||
| [ ] | |||
| [ ] |
Name variations to try
- Full legal name
- Maiden name
- Middle initial
- Nickname
- Common misspellings
Federal searches
| Source | What it holds | Searched | Found? |
|---|---|---|---|
| IRS | Unpaid tax refunds | [ ] | |
| U.S. Treasury | Unredeemed savings bonds | [ ] | |
| PBGC | Pensions from ended plans | [ ] | |
| FDIC | Deposits from failed banks | [ ] | |
| U.S. Courts | Funds from bankruptcy cases | [ ] |
How to use it
- List every state the person ever lived in. Start with the earliest and work forward. An old address is where the older accounts sit.
- Write down every name to try. A maiden name or a middle initial is one of the most common reasons a real claim goes unfound.
- Tick each box as you search. The “found?” column is what keeps you from searching the same place twice.
- Run the federal searches last. They are separate from the state programs, and each one takes only a few minutes.
Frequently asked
Is the search really free?
Yes. The state programs, missingmoney.com, and the federal tools are all free to search and free to claim. You never need to pay a finder.
Should I search for myself or only for someone else?
Both. The checklist works the same way either direction. Search your own name once a year, and search for anyone whose affairs you handle.
What if I find nothing?
Record that and move on. New money is added continuously, so run the same checklist again next year. A no-result is not a final answer.
Do I need anything special to claim?
A certified copy of the certificate of passing, proof of your authority to act, and your own identification. See how to find unclaimed money after someone passes for the full details.
Next step
Start at unclaimed.org and missingmoney.com, then work the checklist from top to bottom. When something turns up, log it in the free Checklist Builder so the record lives in one place instead of on loose notes.
This is general information, not legal or financial advice. Unclaimed property rules and claim requirements differ by state and change over time — please confirm details with your state’s official unclaimed property program.