State Unclaimed Property in North Dakota

State Unclaimed Property in North Dakota: key facts

Administering office

North Dakota Department of Trust Lands, Unclaimed Property Division, 1707 N 9th St, Bismarck, ND 58501-1853; unclaimed@nd.gov.

Official search

unclaimedproperty.nd.gov (free search and online claims).

Heir claim documents

The court order documents showing your appointment as personal representative or executor — the will, court appointment, or letters testamentary. A qualifying small estate can instead use the division's Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property of the Decedent. If neither route fits, the division refers claimants to the ND Legal Self Help Center (701-328-1852) and its informal probate guide.

Small estate affidavit

A claimant may present the division's Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property of the Decedent (SFN 62529, rev. 6-2025) instead of court appointment documents if: at least 30 days have passed since the death; the estate's total net value, less liens and encumbrances, does not exceed $100,000; there is NO real property in the estate; no probate case has been started or completed in any state or tribal court; and the claimant is entitled to the property by will or intestate succession. The affidavit is notarized, not filed with a court.

Decision window

The administrator allows or denies a filed owner claim within 90 days and gives written notice; an allowed claim is paid within 60 days (N.D.C.C. 47-30.2-51, 47-30.2-52).

If a claim is denied

The administrator must state the reason and specify what additional evidence would allow the claim; the claimant may file an amended claim. Within 180 days of filing the original claim, a claimant may instead sue the Board of University and School Lands in Burleigh County district court (N.D.C.C. 47-30.2-53).

No claim deadline

There is no deadline to claim. Property is held in the Common Schools Trust Fund until the rightful owner or heir successfully claims it.

Governing law: N.D.C.C. Chapter 47-30.2 (Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act); §§ 47-30.2-50, 47-30.2-51, 47-30.2-52; N.D.C.C. 30.1-23-01 (small estate affidavit)

Steps to take when someone dies

1. Search unclaimedproperty.nd.gov for the deceased's name and prior addresses, and run a multi-state search at missingmoney.com.
2. Select the property, click CLAIM, and file the claim as the estate representative or heir with:
   • The court order documents showing appointment as personal representative or executor — the will, court appointment, or letters testamentary — or, for a qualifying small estate, the division's notarized Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property of the Decedent
   • A certified copy of the death certificate, obtained from ND Vital Records
   • Proof of identity
3. The administrator reviews the claim and gives written notice of the decision within 90 days; an allowed claim is paid within 60 days of allowance.
4. If the claim is denied, the notice states the reason and what further evidence would allow it — file an amended claim, or sue in Burleigh County district court within 180 days of the original filing.

Frequently asked questions