Unclaimed funds in New York.
New York holds unclaimed property — dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks, forgotten deposits, and more — in trust at the Office of the State Comptroller. Searching and claiming is always free.
Search the official New York database
The fastest way to find out if New York is holding money in your name is to search directly on the state's website. This is the official government portal — free, secure, and run by the Office of the State Comptroller.
Search New York Unclaimed Property →How New York’s unclaimed funds program works
New York State holds approximately $18 billion in unclaimed funds — one of the largest programs in the country. The Office of the State Comptroller runs the program and operates the search portal at osc.ny.gov/unclaimed-funds.
New York does not participate in MissingMoney.com. If you’ve ever lived, worked, or banked in New York, you must search the Comptroller’s site directly.
Who’s most likely to find funds in New York
New York’s program is particularly rich because of the state’s concentration of financial institutions. You should search New York if:
- You’ve ever lived or worked in New York State or New York City
- You had a brokerage, investment, or insurance account at a firm headquartered in New York
- You attended a New York university or college
- You have family — especially older relatives — who lived or worked in New York
- You were ever on payroll at a Wall Street firm, even briefly
Types of unclaimed funds common in New York
Because of Wall Street’s presence, New York has unusually high volumes of:
- Stock and bond holdings that became dormant
- Dividend checks that were never cashed
- Mutual fund and brokerage account balances
- Estate distributions from deceased New Yorkers
Alongside the typical categories of dormant bank accounts, uncashed paychecks, utility deposits, and insurance proceeds.
The New York claim process
Claims are filed online through the Comptroller’s website. You’ll need:
- Government-issued photo ID
- Social Security Number
- Proof of connection to the reported address (old utility bills, tax returns, leases)
- For claims over $1,000: notarized signature
- For stock or security claims: additional documentation showing your ownership
- For heir claims: death certificate, proof of relationship, and often letters testamentary
New York’s processing times are 60 to 120 days for standard claims, though stock and security claims can take longer because of the additional verification required.
New York’s finder-fee rules
New York caps finder fees at 15% of the recovery. Finders must wait 24 months after property is reported to the state before they can contact the owner, and must disclose in writing that the owner can claim for free.
New York’s law is one of the stricter ones in the country and the AG’s office actively enforces it. If you’re offered a finder contract in New York that exceeds the 15% cap or doesn’t disclose the state’s role, it’s likely unenforceable — and you can claim the funds directly yourself.
Related New York resources
- Office of the State Comptroller — official search at osc.ny.gov/unclaimed-funds
- NYC Department of Finance — for NYC-specific property claims
- Surrogate’s Court — for heir claims from deceased New Yorkers