State Unclaimed Property in Alabama

State Unclaimed Property in Alabama: key facts

Administering office

Alabama State Treasurer, Unclaimed Property Division.

Official search

unclaimed.alabama.gov (free search and online claims).

Heir claim documents

Certified Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration if the estate was probated; an Affidavit of Heirship (or small-claim documentation) if it was not.

Decision window

The Treasurer allows or denies a filed claim within 120 days and gives written notice (§ 35-12-83).

Payment after approval

Within 30 days after a claim is allowed, the property or net sale proceeds must be delivered or paid to the claimant (§ 35-12-83(b)).

Intestate heir claim without probate

Under Code of Ala. § 35-12-84(a), the surviving spouse — or, if none, the surviving child(ren), or, if none, the surviving parent(s) — of an owner who died intestate may claim without a probate court order when the aggregate value of the property does not exceed the amount allowed in § 43-2-692 (Alabama's small-estate summary-distribution limit, a $25,000 base adjusted annually for CPI). The claim must include written confirmation from the probate court that no estate has been opened or filed, an affidavit signed by all beneficiaries agreeing on a division, documentation showing heir rights, and authorization to release the claimant's name and address to subsequent claimants. The Treasurer publishes a "Statement of No Estate" form for the probate-court confirmation.

Small claim ($200 or less)

Separately, under § 35-12-84(c), a person may claim property held in his or her own name when the aggregate value is $200 or less, supported by an affidavit swearing to the authenticity of the claim and the lack of matching documentation.

Governing law: Code of Ala. 1975, Title 35, Chapter 12 (Uniform Disposition of Unclaimed Property Act of 2004); §§ 35-12-83, 35-12-84