State Unclaimed Property in North Dakota

The North Dakota Department of Trust Lands holds unclaimed property — dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks, insurance proceeds, and similar assets — until the owner or their heirs claim it. An heir of a deceased owner files a claim through unclaimedproperty.nd.gov and proves their legal right with the court documents showing appointment as personal representative or executor, or — for a qualifying small estate — with the division's Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property of the Decedent.

OverviewWhen someone dies

Unclaimed Property

North Dakota

unclaimedproperty.nd.gov→

Administering agency

North Dakota Department of Trust Lands — Unclaimed Property Division

Phone(701) 328-2800

WebsiteVisit website →

Authority

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)

Verified Jul 2026

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 instead of court appointment documents if: at least 30 days have passed since the death; the estate's total net value, less debts and encumbrances, is under $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).
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)

When someone dies

Steps after a death in North Dakota

3-step process for North Dakota Department of Trust Lands — Unclaimed Property Division.

View details →

SimplyTrust Editorial·Updated July 14, 2026

Sources

Data sourced from State Unclaimed Property in North Dakota primary sources (8 pages reviewed). How we research.

Unclaimed Property

North Dakota

unclaimedproperty.nd.gov→

Administering agency

North Dakota Department of Trust Lands — Unclaimed Property Division

Phone(701) 328-2800

WebsiteVisit website →

Authority

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)

Verified Jul 2026

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 instead of court appointment documents if: at least 30 days have passed since the death; the estate's total net value, less debts and encumbrances, is under $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).

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)