We are finalizing the PDF version of this guide. In the meantime, all of the content in this guide is available in our online guides below — organized by the same sections as the planned PDF.
What the Claim Guide Covers
Section 1: Before You Search
A primer on what unclaimed property is, how money ends up at the state, and why the search process matters before you file anything. Covers common misconceptions and the most overlooked property types.
Available now: How to Search for Unclaimed Property
Section 2: Document Checklists by Property Type
Specific checklists for bank accounts, utility deposits, insurance payouts, paychecks, securities, safe deposit boxes, and heir claims. Formatted for printing and checking off as you gather documents.
Available now: Document Checklist Guide or use the Checklist Generator tool for a customized list.
Section 3: Filing Your Claim
Step-by-step walkthrough of the filing process — what to include in your submission packet, how to organize documents, and what a complete claim looks like versus an incomplete one.
Section 4: Processing Timelines by State
The complete state-by-state table of cash and securities processing times, with notes on seasonal delays and what each status message means.
Available now: Processing Times by State
Section 5: If Your Claim Is Denied
The six most common denial reasons, how to respond to each, and a fill-in-the-blank appeal letter template you can adapt for your situation.
Available now: Claim Denied — What to Do
Section 6: State Contact Directory
Phone numbers, portal URLs, and office hours for all 50 states and Washington D.C. — formatted for printing and keeping with your claim paperwork.
Available now: State Directory
Use the Online Guides While You Wait
Everything in the planned PDF is available right now in our online guides. If you're working on a claim today, start with the guides linked above — they're the same content, updated more frequently than a static PDF can be.