Illinois State Treasurer, Unclaimed Property Division
Illinois · Unclaimed Property
icash.illinoistreasurer.govState Unclaimed Property in Illinois
The Illinois State Treasurer holds unclaimed property — dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks, insurance proceeds, and similar assets — under the Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act until the owner or their heirs claim it. Heirs of a deceased owner file a claim through the I-Cash portal with proof of death and authority to act for the estate.
Steps to take when someone dies
- •A completed claim form (notarized if the claim is over $5,000, or involves a safe deposit box or securities)
- •A death certificate for the listed owner, and proof that the deceased owned the asset
- •Court-certified Letters of Office (dated within the last three years) if probate is open, or a small estate affidavit listing all heirs if the estate was not probated
- •Proof of the claimant's relationship to the decedent through death, birth, and/or marriage records
Required Documents
- Completed claim form: Notarized if the claim is over $5,000, or involves a safe deposit box or securities.
- Death certificate of the listed owner
- Proof that the deceased owned the asset
- Small estate affidavit: if there is no will, or a will was filed but not probated. With no will, it lists all heirs with their addresses and the percentage each is entitled to.
- Proof of relationship: if there is no will. Death, birth, and/or marriage records.
- Court-certified copy of the will: if a will was filed but not probated, or the estate is closed
- The estate's tax ID: if the estate is open
- Court-certified Letter of Office: if the estate is open. Certifies the claimant's appointment and is dated within the last three years.
- Court-certified Order Declaring Heirship: if the estate is closed and there is no will
- Certified copy of the final distribution and order: if the estate is closed. Shows the estate closed.
State Unclaimed Property in Illinois: key facts
What Illinois says5
- Official search
icash.illinoistreasurer.gov offers a free search and online claims.1
- Documents for an heir or estate claim
An heir claim needs a claim form, notarized if the claim is over $5,000 or involves a safe deposit box or securities, the death certificate of the listed owner, and proof that the deceased owned the asset. The added documents depend on the estate: no will, a will filed but no probate, an open estate, or a closed one.2
A Capacity to Claim Affidavit with proof of death may be used instead only when the total claimed value is $250 or less.2
- Deadline to claim
There is no deadline. The Treasurer holds unclaimed property in a custodial capacity until the rightful owner or heir claims it.3
- Claiming without a probate order
Section 25-1 of the Probate Act allows an Illinois Small Estate Affidavit in place of Letters of Office when no letters of office are outstanding, contemplated, or pending and the personal estate, excluding motor vehicles registered with the Secretary of State, does not exceed $150,000.4
The Treasurer publishes its own small estate affidavit form and accepts it on heir claims where there is no will or a will was filed but not probated.5, 2
- 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 the number of claims submitted.3
Governing law: 765 ILCS 1026 (Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act); claims 765 ILCS 1026/15-903
Forms Illinois uses2
- Illinois Small Estate Affidavit
Submitted by heirs in place of Letters of Office where 755 ILCS 5/25-1 allows it.5, 4
- Capacity to Claim Affidavit
Used with proof of death in place of the other heir-claim documents only when the total claimed value is $250 or less.2
Illinois unclaimed property
Illinois State Treasurer, Unclaimed Property Division
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