State Unclaimed Property in New Jersey

State Unclaimed Property in New Jersey: key facts

Administering office

New Jersey Unclaimed Property Administration, Department of the Treasury.

Official search

unclaimedfunds.nj.gov (free search and online claims). The Administration never charges a fee to search or claim.

Heir claim documents

A photocopy of the death certificate; a Surrogate's Certificate (executor), Letters of Administration (no will), or a Next of Kin letter for small estates under $10,000 with no surviving spouse — dated within one year of the claim; plus photo identification.

Decedent records

Probate documentation must come from the appropriate county Surrogate's Court.

Small estate option

For intestate estates under $10,000 with no surviving spouse: one next-of-kin (with written consent from all other next-of-kin of equal degree) may file an Affidavit of Next of Kin with the county Surrogate's Court in lieu of full administration, then use the resulting Next of Kin letter as proof of authority for the unclaimed-property claim. (Underlying authority: N.J.S. 3B:10-4, P.L. 2015, c.232.)