State Unclaimed Property in New York

State Unclaimed Property in New York: key facts

Administering office

Office of the State Comptroller (OSC), Office of Unclaimed Funds.

Official search

ouf.osc.ny.gov (free search and online claims); phone 1-800-221-9311 or (518) 270-2200.

Heir / estate documents

A death certificate plus proof of authority — a Certificate of Appointment (Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration) from Surrogate's Court, or a Small Estates Affidavit and Table of Heirs where no representative is appointed.

Court-appointed representative threshold

Claims of $1,000 or more must be completed by a court-appointed representative; smaller claims may be made by an heir using the small-estate forms.

Small estate option

Heirs may use a SCPA Article 13 Voluntary Administration (Small Estates Affidavit + Table of Heirs) instead of full Letters Testamentary when the deceased's total personal property was $50,000 or less (N.Y. SCPA 1301). The OSC accepts this affidavit for claims under $1,000; claims of $1,000 or more require a full court appointment.

Claim processing time

If no additional documents are needed, claims are processed within 30 days. If OSC requests additional documentation, allow up to 90 days. Payment by check is mailed within 30 days of approval.