State Unclaimed Property in Hawaii

State Unclaimed Property in Hawaii: key facts

Administering office

Hawaii Department of Budget and Finance, Unclaimed Property Program. No. 1 Capitol District Building, 250 South Hotel Street, Room 304, Honolulu, HI 96813; mail to P.O. Box 150, Honolulu, HI 96810. Open 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time, Monday through Friday except state holidays.

Official search

unclaimedproperty.ehawaii.gov — a free name search run by the department. There is no fee to file a claim. The completed claim form and documents are mailed to the Unclaimed Property Program, P.O. Box 150, Honolulu, HI 96810; a name search can also be requested by phone at (808) 586-1589.

Heir claim documents

A signed claim form (notarized for claims of $50 or more, or for stock, mutual fund shares, or safe deposit box contents), photo identification, proof that the deceased owned the property, a death certificate, and Trust or Probate documents showing authority to claim — or, in their place, an Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property of the Decedent under Haw. Rev. Stat. 560:3-1201 and 560:3-1202, which requires an original certified death certificate. IRS Form W-9 is required when claiming stock or mutual fund shares.

Small-balance deadline

Funds under $100 must be claimed within 10 years of deposit into the unclaimed property trust fund or they escheat to the State and are transferred to the general fund (Haw. Rev. Stat. 523A-19(c), added by Act 184, Session Laws of Hawaii 2014).

Small estate option

If the deceased had no Trust or Probate documents and the gross value of the estate in Hawaii does not exceed $100,000, heirs may substitute a signed and notarized Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property of the Decedent (Haw. Rev. Stat. 560:3-1201 and 560:3-1202) for Letters Testamentary or other probate authority. The heir must also submit documentation evidencing relation to the deceased (e.g., birth, death, or marriage certificates). The affidavit form is the Judiciary's form 3CE210.

Governing law: Haw. Rev. Stat. Chapter 523A (Uniform Unclaimed Property Act), 523A-19(c); heir affidavit under Haw. Rev. Stat. 560:3-1201, 560:3-1202

Steps to take when someone dies

1. Search unclaimedproperty.ehawaii.gov for the deceased's name, or request a name search by calling (808) 586-1589. The department's Resources page links to NAUPA for searching other states.
2. File a claim as the heir of the deceased owner with:
   • A signed claim form, notarized for claims of $50 or more or for stock, mutual fund shares, or safe deposit box contents
   • Photo identification and documentation connecting the deceased to the reported address or reporting company
   • Trust or Probate documents showing authority to claim — or an Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property of the Decedent (Judiciary form 3CE210) under Haw. Rev. Stat. 560:3-1201 and 560:3-1202, with documentation of the heir's relationship
   • A death certificate — an original certified copy when the affidavit is used
   • IRS Form W-9 if the claim involves stock or mutual fund shares
3. Mail the completed claim and documentation to the State of Hawaii Unclaimed Property Program, P.O. Box 150, Honolulu, HI 96810; the program follows up if additional paperwork is needed before processing.

Frequently asked questions