State Unclaimed Property in New York

Official search

The free search and online claims are at ouf.osc.ny.gov.¹

Who may claim for a deceased owner

Claims of $1,000 or more must be completed by a court-appointed representative. For funds under $1,000, an heir may claim using the small-estate forms and must distribute the funds under New York's intestacy laws.²

The heir route is limited to the closest living family member: spouse, then biological or legally adopted children, then parents, then siblings. If none of them is alive, only a court-appointed representative may claim.²

Documents for an heir or estate claim

A claim for a deceased owner needs a death certificate plus proof of authority: a Certificate of Appointment from Surrogate's Court (Letters Testamentary, Letters of Administration, or a Certificate of Voluntary Administration), or a Small Estates Affidavit and Table of Heirs where no representative is appointed.²

The Certificate of Appointment must be dated within six months of when the claim is submitted. If more than six months have elapsed, it must be recertified by the Surrogate's Court.²

Claiming without a probate order

SCPA 1301 defines a small estate as one leaving personal property with a gross value of $50,000 or less, which an SCPA Article 13 voluntary administration covers.³

The Comptroller's estate chart routes estates with less than $50,000 of personal property and no real property to a voluntary administrator holding a Certificate of Voluntary Administration.²

Where no representative has been appointed, an heir may claim funds under $1,000 with the Small Estates Affidavit and Table of Heirs, and whoever paid the funeral expenses may claim reimbursement of up to $5,000.²

Processing time

If no additional documents are needed, claims are processed within 30 days. If the Comptroller's Office requests additional documentation, allow up to 90 days.⁴

How an approved claim is paid

Payment by check is mailed within 30 days of approval.⁴

Deadline to claim

The Comptroller's Office holds the property until it is claimed and states there is no time limit to claim it.^{5, 6}

Fees

The Comptroller's Office states there is no fee to claim unclaimed funds.⁵

Governing law: N.Y. Abandoned Property Law 1406; N.Y. SCPA 1301

Certificate of Appointment sent with a claim is dated

six months after when the claim is submitted; An older certificate must be recertified by the Surrogate's Court.²

Surrogate's Court

Certificates of Appointment, and their recertification when more than six months old²

1. 1.Contact Us, Office of Unclaimed Funds (New York State Office of the State Comptroller)
2. 2.Claims for Deceased Owners and Estates (New York State Office of the State Comptroller)
3. 3.N.Y. Surrogate's Court Procedure Act 1301
4. 4.Claim Submitted, What's Next (New York State Office of the State Comptroller)
5. 5.Unclaimed Funds (New York State Office of the State Comptroller)
6. 6.N.Y. Abandoned Property Law 1406