State Unclaimed Property in Oregon
The Oregon State Treasury holds unclaimed property — dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks, insurance payouts, and similar assets — until the owner or their heirs claim it. The program moved to the State Treasury from the Department of State Lands. Heirs of a deceased owner file a claim with proof of death and proof of their right to the assets.
Administering agency
Oregon State Treasury — Unclaimed Property
Authority
ORS Chapter 98 — Uniform Disposition of Unclaimed Property Act (ORS 98.302 to 98.436); OAR 170-140-0100 to 170-140-0105
State Unclaimed Property in Oregon: key facts
- Administering office
- Oregon State Treasury, Unclaimed Property (the program moved here from the Department of State Lands).
- Official search
- unclaimed.oregon.gov (free search and online claims).
- Heir claim documents
- A death certificate or other proof of death (an obituary is accepted), court-certified probate documents — a small estate affidavit counts — and proof of the claimant's relationship to the owner of the funds, on top of the photo ID and proof of address every claimant provides.
- Estate administration program
- For the estate of someone who died without a will or known heirs, contact the Oregon Estates Administration Program at Estates@ost.state.or.us or 503-566-9440.
- Small estate option
- When the claimed property is $1,000 or more but not more than $10,000, an heir may submit an Affidavit in Lieu of Probate instead of evidence of probate (OAR 170-140-0105(3)(a)). When the property is worth more than $10,000, evidence of probate — or of a probate filing under ORS chapters 111 and 113 to 117 — is required.
- Notarization requirement
- If the total value of the property being claimed is more than $2,500, the claimant's signature on the claim form must be notarized (OAR 170-140-0100(4)).
Governing law: ORS Chapter 98 — Uniform Disposition of Unclaimed Property Act (ORS 98.302 to 98.436); OAR 170-140-0100 to 170-140-0105
Steps to take when someone dies
- Search unclaimed.oregon.gov for the deceased's name and prior addresses, and run a multi-state search at missingmoney.com.
- File a claim as the estate representative or heir with:
- A death certificate or other proof of death, such as an obituary
- Documents showing your right to the assets — for property worth more than $10,000: evidence of probate or of a probate filing; for property $1,000 to $10,000: an Affidavit in Lieu of Probate is accepted as an alternative (OAR 170-140-0105(3))
- Proof of your relationship to the owner of the funds
- A government-issued photo ID and proof of your current mailing address
- A notarized signature if the total claimed value is more than $2,500 (OAR 170-140-0100(4))
- The State Treasury reviews the claim and pays the verified owner or heir.
Frequently asked questions
The Oregon State Treasury holds unclaimed property and runs the search and claim portal at unclaimed.oregon.gov. The Legislature moved the program from the Department of State Lands to the State Treasury in 2019, and the move became official on July 1, 2021.
Search unclaimed.oregon.gov, then file a claim with a death certificate or other proof of death, court-certified probate documents, and proof of your relationship to the owner. For property worth more than $10,000, evidence of probate or of a probate filing is required. For property $1,000 to $10,000, an Affidavit in Lieu of Probate may be submitted instead. Claims of more than $2,500 require a notarized signature (OAR 170-140-0100 and 170-140-0105).
No. Under ORS 98.392(1), a person claiming an interest in reported unclaimed property may file a claim at any time after the property has been reported. Assets handled through the Estates Administration Program (someone who died without a will or known heirs) are a separate track with a deadline: under ORS 116.253(1), a claim may be made within ten years after the decedent's death, or within eight years after the court entered the judgment or order escheating the property. That claim is made by a petition filed with the State Treasurer.
Sources
Data sourced from State Unclaimed Property in Oregon primary sources (7 pages reviewed). How we research.
Administering agency
Oregon State Treasury — Unclaimed Property
Authority
ORS Chapter 98 — Uniform Disposition of Unclaimed Property Act (ORS 98.302 to 98.436); OAR 170-140-0100 to 170-140-0105