State Unclaimed Property in Pennsylvania

State Unclaimed Property in Pennsylvania: key facts

Administering office

Pennsylvania Treasury, Bureau of Unclaimed Property.

Official search

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

Heir claim documents

A short certificate (Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration) from the Register of Wills for an active estate or property over $11,000; a certified death certificate and relationship affidavit may be used for smaller amounts with no active estate.

No deadline

Pennsylvania holds unclaimed property until it is claimed, so there is generally no deadline for heirs to file.

Small estate option

The Treasury accepts a Relationship by Entitlement to Decedent Owner Affidavit in place of Letters Testamentary when: property value is under $20,000, the estate has been closed for more than 5 years (or no estate exists), and the deceased was a Pennsylvania resident. Eligible claimants (in preference order): surviving spouse, children, parents, siblings, and grandchildren. Act 65 of 2024 (effective September 15, 2024) expanded the eligible categories.

Claim processing time

After all required documents are received, the Bureau of Unclaimed Property issues a check within approximately 45 days.