Find Maryland Unclaimed Property, Money State Owes You

ANNAPOLIS, MD — More than a billion dollars in assets that belongs to Maryland residents is sitting in government vaults, but it's up to you to claim your loot. Each year the State of Maryland holds on to millions of dollars in unclaimed money that belongs to the public and this year’s unclaimed property inserts are about to run in more than 30 newspapers statewide, according to Comptroller Peter Franchot's office.

The inserts list 69,039 accounts worth more than $59 million. In total, the agency has more than 1.3 million accounts worth more than $1.6 billion in its unclaimed property accounts. In fiscal year 2018, the comptroller’s office honored nearly 43,883 claims totaling more than $68 million.

The money is held until it is claimed by the rightful owner or that person's heirs — and many people who have unclaimed cash don't realize it, whether it's money owed from pension funds, business refunds or other sources, state officials say.

What does the state consider unclaimed property? Stocks, bonds, savings accounts, security deposits, contents of safe deposit boxes, insurance proceeds and other valuables which are reported to the state as unclaimed by banks and other financial institutions after three years. Real property is not included, according to Franchot's website.

The owners or their heirs can claim the money at any time. There is no statute of limitations. Individuals and businesses can search the online Unclaimed Property database with your first and last name. If you find the name you are searching for, print the claim form ST-912. Complete the form, be sure to indicate the claim number that appears with the account, include copies of any documentation, and submit everything to the Comptroller's Office at the address shown on the form.

The Comptroller’s Unclaimed Property division will help Marylanders find the items among the old bank accounts, stocks and bonds, security deposits, jewelry, insurance benefits, collectibles, valuable documents and other contents of safe deposit boxes.

If you have a question regarding unclaimed property, or need assistance, call the Comptroller of Maryland's Unclaimed Property Unit at 410-767-1700 in central Maryland, or 1-800-782-7383, or e-mail the office at unclaim@comp.state.md.us.

Over the years, Franchot says his office has reunited more than $700 million in cash and items with their rightful owners.

For instructions on how to claim property found in your name, write down the claim number and go HERE.

The U.S. government lacks a central website to find unclaimed funds. To search for unclaimed money that may be lying in a different state's treasury, click here.

If you don't have money lying in the state treasury, the government also suggests checking for unclaimed funds from bank failures or unclaimed deposits from credit union closures. You could also check for unclaimed or undelivered tax refunds or a refund from an FHA-insured mortgage.

Finally, you can check for unclaimed back wages, pension money or life insurance funds. Click here to find out how to search for these unclaimed funds.