State Unclaimed Property in Illinois

State Unclaimed Property in Illinois: key facts

Administering office

Illinois State Treasurer, Unclaimed Property Division.

Official search

icash.illinoistreasurer.gov (free search and online claims).

Heir claim documents

Every claim needs a completed claim form (notarized if over $5,000, a safe deposit box, or securities), photo ID, and the claimant's Social Security number. For a deceased owner, the added documents depend on the estate: no will (intestate) — death certificate, a small estate affidavit listing all heirs with addresses and percentages, and proof of relationship through death, birth, and/or marriage records; will filed but no probate — death certificate, small estate affidavit, and a court-certified copy of the will; open estate — death certificate, the estate's tax ID, and court-certified Letters of Office dated within the last three years; closed estate — death certificate, court-certified will (or an Order Declaring Heirship) and a certified copy of the final distribution order showing the estate closed.

Time to claim

No deadline. The Treasurer holds unclaimed property in a custodial capacity until the rightful owner or heir claims it.

Small estate option

Heirs may submit an Illinois Small Estate Affidavit (755 ILCS 5/25-1) instead of Letters of Office when no letters of office are outstanding, contemplated, or pending and the decedent's personal estate — excluding motor vehicles registered with the Secretary of State — does not exceed $150,000. The Treasurer publishes the affidavit form and accepts it on intestate and will-filed-but-not-probated heir claims.

Claim processing time

Claims are reviewed in the order received. Processing time before a claimant receives a first communication or payment may be up to 12 weeks, depending on claim volume.

Governing law: 765 ILCS 1026 (Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act); claims 765 ILCS 1026/15-903