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, Letters of Administration, or a Certificate of Voluntary Administration) from Surrogate's Court, dated within six months of when the claim is submitted, 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; 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.

Small estate option

A SCPA Article 13 Voluntary Administration covers an estate leaving personal property with a gross value of $50,000 or less (N.Y. SCPA 1301); the OSC's estate chart routes estates with less than $50,000 of personal property and no real property to a Voluntary Administrator. Where no representative has been appointed at all, an heir may claim with the Small Estates Affidavit and Table of Heirs — but only for funds under $1,000.

Funeral-expense reimbursement

Where no representative has been appointed, whoever paid the funeral expenses may claim reimbursement of up to $5,000 with the death certificate, a Small Estates Affidavit, and proof of the expenses paid.

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.

Governing law: N.Y. Abandoned Property Law