State Unclaimed Property in South Carolina

The South Carolina State Treasurer holds unclaimed property — dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks, insurance payouts, and similar assets — until the owner or their heirs claim it. The personal representative of a deceased owner's estate files a claim with a copy of the death certificate, a currently dated Probate Order, and proof of the deceased's ownership of the property.

Unclaimed Property

South Carolina

treasurer.sc.gov/what-we-do/for-citizens/unclaimed-property-program→

Administering agency

South Carolina Office of the State Treasurer — Unclaimed Property Program

Phone803-737-4771
WebsiteVisit website →

Authority

S.C. Code Title 27, Chapter 18 (Uniform Unclaimed Property Act (1981)); 27-18-250

Verified Aug 2026

State Unclaimed Property in South Carolina: key facts

Administering office
South Carolina Office of the State Treasurer, Unclaimed Property Program — 1200 Senate Street, Suite 214, Wade Hampton Building, Columbia, SC 29201; (803) 737-4771; unclaimed@sto.sc.gov.
Official search
southcarolina.findyourunclaimedproperty.com — free search, online claims, claim-status check, and claim-document upload. There is no fee to search or claim.
Heir claim documents
A copy of the death certificate, a currently dated Probate Order, and proof of the deceased's ownership of the property. If no estate was opened, or the estate has been closed, the Program directs the claimant to call (803) 737-4771 to discuss the options.
Decision window
The Treasurer considers a filed claim within 90 days and gives written notice if it is denied (S.C. Code 27-18-250). The Program reports that a claim generally takes four to twelve weeks to pay, depending on complexity and documentation.
Small estate option
Where the entire probate estate, less liens and encumbrances, does not exceed $45,000 and 30 days have passed since the death, a successor may collect personal property by affidavit under S.C. Code 62-3-1201 rather than opening a full estate (threshold raised from $25,000 by 2025 Act No. 26, effective May 8, 2025). The affidavit must be approved and countersigned by the probate judge and filed in the probate court.

Governing law: S.C. Code Title 27, Chapter 18 (Uniform Unclaimed Property Act (1981)); 27-18-250

Steps to take when someone dies

  1. Search southcarolina.findyourunclaimedproperty.com for the deceased's name and prior addresses. Searching and claiming are free.
  2. File a claim as the personal representative of the estate:
    • A copy of the death certificate
    • A currently dated Probate Order
    • Proof of the deceased's ownership of the property
  3. If no estate was opened, or the estate has already been closed, call the Unclaimed Property Program at (803) 737-4771 to discuss the options.
  4. The State Treasurer reviews the claim and issues a decision; a filed claim is considered within 90 days.

South Carolina Office of the State Treasurer — Unclaimed Property Program

Phone: 803-737-4771

Visit the agency website →

Frequently asked questions

Search southcarolina.findyourunclaimedproperty.com, then file a claim as the personal representative with a copy of the death certificate, a currently dated Probate Order, and proof of the deceased's ownership of the property. If no estate was opened, or the estate has been closed, call the Unclaimed Property Program at (803) 737-4771 to discuss the options.

Under S.C. Code 27-18-250, the State Treasurer considers a filed claim within 90 days and gives the claimant written notice if the claim is denied.

No. The Unclaimed Property Program states there is no time limit — the rightful owner always has the right to claim the funds, and South Carolina holds the property until it is claimed.

SimplyTrustSimplyTrust Editorial·

Sources

Data sourced from State Unclaimed Property in South Carolina primary sources (7 pages reviewed). How we research.