State Unclaimed Property in Kentucky

Official search

Search by name at missingmoney.com or through treasury.ky.gov. The search and claims are free.¹

Dormancy period

Property is generally turned over to the State Treasury after about three years without owner contact.²

Deadline to claim

The Treasury states that unclaimed property is always available to the owner, so there is no time limit for an owner or their heirs to file a claim.²

Who may claim for a deceased owner

The claimant for a deceased owner must be the executor, administrator, or next of kin.³

Documents for an heir or estate claim

Every claim needs a government-issued photo ID and proof of the Social Security number of the person signing. For a deceased owner, add a copy of the death certificate and proof of the reported owner's Social Security number.³

If the estate is open, a current copy of the court appointment must reach the Treasury within 60 days of issuance by the court. If it is closed, send the appointment and the final order of distribution; if there was no estate, claim staff determine what other documentation is necessary.³

Claiming without a probate order

Under 20 KAR 1:040, when the owner is deceased the Treasury accepts a copy of the death certificate plus any one of: a copy of the probate distribution, a court order appointing an administrator, a court order dispensing with administration, or a small estate affidavit.⁴

Under KRS 393A.510(3), a claim form is not required for property worth less than $250, which the administrator may pay directly to the apparent owner.^{5, 6, 7, 8}

Processing time

Under KRS 393A.520, the administrator must allow or deny a claim within 90 days of filing and notify the claimant of the decision.^{5, 6, 7, 8}

A claim not acted on within that 90-day window is deemed denied.^{5, 6, 7, 8}

How an approved claim is paid

Under KRS 393A.530, an allowed claim must be paid within 30 days of allowance.^{5, 6, 7, 8}

If a claim is denied

A denied claimant may file an amended claim, and under KRS 393A.540 may request an administrative hearing within one year of filing.^{5, 6, 7, 8}

Governing law: KRS Chapter 393A (Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act); KRS 393A.510, 393A.520, 393A.530, 393A.540; 20 KAR 1:040

Current copy of the court appointment received by the Treasury, for an open estate

within 60 days of issuance by the court³

The administrator allows or denies the claim and notifies the claimant

within 90 days of filing of the claim; the claim is deemed denied^{5, 6, 7, 8}

Payment of an allowed claim

within 30 days of allowance of the claim^{5, 6, 7, 8}

Request for an administrative hearing on a denied claim

one year after filing of the claim^{5, 6, 7, 8}

1. 1.Unclaimed Property Overview (Kentucky State Treasury)
2. 2.Unclaimed Property FAQs (Kentucky State Treasury)
3. 3.Claim Instruction: Required Evidence (Kentucky State Treasury)
4. 4.20 KAR 1:040
5. 5.KRS Chapter 393A (Kentucky Revised Statutes, LRC statute page 48148)
6. 6.KRS Chapter 393A (Kentucky Revised Statutes, LRC statute page 48149)
7. 7.KRS Chapter 393A (Kentucky Revised Statutes, LRC statute page 48150)
8. 8.KRS Chapter 393A (Kentucky Revised Statutes, LRC statute page 48151)