State Guide

How to find unclaimed money in New York

A step-by-step guide to searching the New York State Office of the State Comptroller database and filing your claim.

1

Go to the official state portal

Visit the New York State Office of the State Comptroller website. This is the only official source for unclaimed property in New York.

2

Search by your full legal name

Enter your first and last name exactly as it appears on government IDs. Try variations (maiden name, middle initial, common misspellings) if the first search returns no results.

3

Verify the match is yours

Look for a match with your address history. Unclaimed property records usually include the last known address, which helps confirm the funds belong to you.

4

Gather required documents

Most claims need a government-issued photo ID and proof of the associated address. Business claims require additional documentation like articles of incorporation.

5

Submit your claim online or by mail

New York allows electronic filing for most claims under a certain dollar threshold. Higher-value claims or claims by heirs may require notarized paper forms.

6

Track your claim status

After submission, you'll receive a claim reference number. Processing times vary by state and claim complexity — typically 30 to 180 days.

Official contact info

New York State Office of the State Comptroller
Phone: (800) 221-9311
Website: https://www.osc.state.ny.us/ouf/