State Unclaimed Property in New Mexico

State Unclaimed Property in New Mexico: key facts

Administering office

New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department, Unclaimed Property Unit.

Official search

nmclaims.unclaimedproperty.com (free search and online claims); missingmoney.com for a multi-state search.

Heir claim documents

Proof of substantive entitlement to the funds under applicable heirship laws and a copy of the death certificate; a clear copy of the claimant's government-issued photo identification and proof of Social Security number; and proof that the owner lived or received mail at the address listed on the property record. TRD applies these instructions to claims for a decedent whose estate was not previously subject to probate, or where probate was previously closed.

Decision window

TRD has 90 days from the date a claim is filed to approve or deny it, and an additional 30 days to pay an approved claim.

Small estate option

New Mexico treats an estate as a "small estate" when the decedent's total estate is worth less than $50,000 and includes no real property (NMSA 1978, § 45-3-1201). The property can then be distributed without probate using an Affidavit of Successor in Interest, if at least 30 days have passed since the death and no probate has been filed. The affidavit must be signed by the person entitled to the property and notarized.

Governing law: NMSA 1978, §§ 7-8A-1 through 7-8A-31 (Uniform Unclaimed Property Act)