The Receipts How-To

How-To 5 min read · March 26, 2026

Alabama is sitting on your money. Here's the free tool to find it.

Every year, banks, insurers, and employers turn over millions in forgotten accounts and uncashed checks to the Alabama State Treasury. It waits there indefinitely. Searching is free.

TL;DR

The Alabama State Treasury holds millions of dollars in unclaimed property — forgotten bank accounts, uncashed checks, old insurance payouts, stock dividends, and more. Search for free at alabama.findyourunclaimedproperty.com. No deadline. No cost. No catch. If you find something, file a claim online. If you don't, you're out nothing.

Every year, businesses and financial institutions that lose contact with account holders are required by law to turn those funds over to the state. Banks do it with dormant accounts. Insurance companies do it with unclaimed policy benefits. Employers do it with uncashed payroll checks. Utility companies do it with unreturned deposits.

That money doesn't disappear. It waits. The Alabama State Treasury holds it indefinitely and makes every effort to return it to the rightful owner or their heirs. In one recent fiscal year, the office returned over $36 million to Alabamians. Much more remained unclaimed.

What kinds of property end up here

Bank account balances Uncashed payroll checks Dividend & refund checks Life insurance benefits Annuity payouts Utility deposits Stock & brokerage proceeds Safe deposit box contents Pension distributions Money orders (5 yrs) Traveler's checks (15 yrs) Merchant credit balances

How to search — 5 steps

1
Go to the official tool Visit alabama.findyourunclaimedproperty.com — the official Alabama State Treasury database. Do not pay anyone to do this search. It is free.
2
Search by name Try variations — middle initials, maiden names, nicknames. Also search names of deceased family members, since heirs can file claims on their behalf.
3
Review what shows up Results show the original company, property type, and often the last address on file. You don't need to recognize the exact company — old employers, acquired banks, and insurers you never paid directly can all appear.
4
File a claim online Click through to start a claim. You'll verify your identity and ownership. Straightforward claims are often handled fully online. Larger amounts or deceased relatives' accounts may need additional documentation.
5
Wait for review The Unclaimed Property Division reviews each claim and responds in writing. There is no deadline — the state holds these funds indefinitely.

A few other things worth knowing

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Claiming for a deceased relative Heirs, executors, and surviving spouses can all file. Contact the Unclaimed Property Division at 1-888-844-8400 for guidance on what documentation you'll need.
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Watch out for search service scams Companies charge fees — sometimes a significant percentage of the recovered amount — to do exactly what this free database does. Never pay someone to search this for you.
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Also check other states If you've lived or worked across state lines, property may be held elsewhere. missingmoney.com is a free multi-state search tool — also free.
Official search: alabama.findyourunclaimedproperty.com — Phone: 1-888-844-8400 — Multi-state: missingmoney.com. eosguide is an information clearinghouse — always verify details on official sites.

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