Unclaimed Money in New York

The State Comptroller's search form we opened on November 4, 2026 asks for a last or business name, not a Social Security number. You can add a first name, city, ZIP code or property ID.

Go to the official New York search

If you file online, the Comptroller's instructions ask for your Social Security number at the claim step and say it helps verify you. If you don't want to give it online, you can mail a claim form instead. The Comptroller calls this a free service.

Protect your Social Security number. Use the official site, and do not give your Social Security number to a third-party page or to anyone who calls, texts or emails you about unclaimed money.

Last checked: November 4, 2026. Benefits Explorer is a private directory, not a government agency. This page does not search for money. We do not take claims or decide who gets paid, and we never ask for your Social Security number.

Who Runs the Program

Office of the New York State Comptroller, Office of Unclaimed Funds

Phone: 1-800-221-9311

How to Claim in New York

  1. Search your last name or business name on the Comptroller's site.
  2. Select Claim next to each property that is yours.
  3. Choose your relationship to the owner. Pick Owner (Self) if it is in your name.
  4. Enter your details, check the box and type your first and last name to sign the online claim, then submit.
  5. Check your email. You may be asked for documents that prove ownership.

Proof You May Need

  • Proof of age, if asked: a birth certificate, driver's license or other government ID.
  • Proof of an old address, if asked: a driver's license or non-driver photo ID that shows it.
  • A child's birth certificate or adoption order for a claimant under 18.

Notary Rule

The online claim is signed by checking a box and typing your name. A claim form you are asked to send is different: the Comptroller's document page says it must be printed, signed and then scanned or photographed, and that electronic signatures, such as through Adobe software, are not allowed. Include your signed or notarized claim form if one is requested. Claims for organizations and guardians can call for notarized papers.

How Long a Claim Takes

Most claims with no further steps are processed within 30 days. If documents are needed, allow up to 90 days for review after you send them. Claims for someone else or for stock can take longer. An approved check is mailed within 30 days, and you have 180 days to cash it. The Comptroller says there is no fee or time limit to claim.

When Money Goes to the State

New York's Abandoned Property Law section 300 treats bank deposits as abandoned after three years unclaimed. Other property types can have other periods.

Finder Fees

You do not have to pay anyone to claim. New York Abandoned Property Law section 1416 caps a location service fee at 15% of the value of the recoverable property. The agreement must be in writing, in the Comptroller's form, signed by the owner, and witnessed and acknowledged by a notary. An owner can contest an excessive fee at any time. The owner pays the provider directly, and the Comptroller does not deduct the fee from the refund.

This is general information, not legal advice. See the sources below, and contact legal aid before you sign an agreement you are unsure about.

New York Unclaimed Money Questions

Can I search New York unclaimed funds by Social Security number?

The search form we opened on November 4, 2026 asks for a name, not a Social Security number. The online claim asks for the number later. You can mail a claim form instead if you don't want to give it online.

Is someone contacting me about New York unclaimed funds a scam?

It can be. The Comptroller warns about people who pretend to be the government and offer to send you unclaimed money for a fee, or who ask for confidential personal information. If someone contacts you, call the Comptroller's office directly.

Lived in other states? Read our full unclaimed money guide, which covers other states and federal sources.

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