New Jersey Department of the Treasury, Unclaimed Property Administration
New Jersey · Unclaimed Property
nj.gov/treasury/unclaimed-propertyState Unclaimed Property in New Jersey
The New Jersey Unclaimed Property Administration, within the Department of the Treasury, holds unclaimed property — dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks, insurance payouts, and similar assets — until the owner or their heirs claim it. Heirs of a deceased owner file a claim with proof of death and authority to act for the estate. The Administration never charges a fee to search or claim property.
Steps to take when someone dies
- •A photocopy of the death certificate
- •A Surrogate's Certificate, Letters of Administration, or a Next of Kin letter (small intestate estates of not over $10,000) dated within one year of the claim
- •Photo identification and the deceased's Social Security number
Required Documents
- Photocopy of the death certificate: on a claim for a deceased owner
- Surrogate's Certificate: if there is an executor. Dated within one year of the claim.
- Letters of Administration: if there is no will. Dated within one year of the claim.
- Next of Kin letter: for an intestate estate of not over $10,000 with no surviving spouse. Dated within one year of the claim.
- Photo identification: on a claim for a deceased owner
- Proof of the decedent's Social Security number: if the death certificate does not show it
State Unclaimed Property in New Jersey: key facts
What New Jersey says6
- Official search
The free search and online claims are at unclaimedfunds.nj.gov.1
- Fees
The Unclaimed Property Administration never charges a fee to search for or claim unclaimed property; an estate can file a claim directly with the Administration at no cost.2
The Administration describes heir finders and locators as individuals or businesses that charge a fee of up to 20% of the property value to act as an agent in recovering funds.2
- Documents for an heir or estate claim
A claim for a decedent needs a photocopy of the death certificate; a Surrogate's Certificate, Letters of Administration or a Next of Kin letter dated within one year of the claim; photo identification; and proof of the decedent's Social Security number.3
Probate documentation must come from the Surrogate's Court of the county where the decedent lived at death. For a decedent who lived outside New Jersey, the Administration directs claimants to that state for probate documentation.3
- Claiming without a probate order
The Administration accepts a Next of Kin letter as proof of capacity to claim where the decedent died intestate, left no surviving spouse, and the aggregate value of the estate does not exceed $10,000.3
One of the next-of-kin, with written consents from all other next-of-kin of equal degree, files an Affidavit of Next of Kin with the county Surrogate's office in lieu of administration.3
- Deadline to claim
Property that is not claimed remains in the Unclaimed Property Trust Fund in perpetuity or until a valid claim is submitted and processed; the reported owner never relinquishes ownership, so an owner or heir has no deadline to claim.2
- How an approved claim is paid
The Administration pays interest from the date the property was escheated to the State through the date it approves the return. Where that interest exceeds $10, it issues a 1099-INT the following January.2
Governing law: N.J.S.A. 46:30B (Uniform Unclaimed Property Act)
Deadlines1
- Surrogate or probate court documentation sent with a decedent claim is dated
one year after the date of the claim3
Other offices involved1
- County Surrogate's Court
Probate documentation for a decedent who lived in the county at death, and Affidavits of Next of Kin3
New Jersey unclaimed property
New Jersey Department of the Treasury, Unclaimed Property Administration
Phone
Website
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