State Unclaimed Property in South Dakota

Official search

The State Treasurer's official portal, cash.sd.gov, searches and files claims free through southdakota.findyourunclaimedproperty.com.^{1, 2}

Who may claim for a deceased owner

A claimant gives their mailing address and their relationship to the owner: owner, heir, or representative.¹

Documents for an heir or estate claim

Under SDCL 43-41B-25, a claim is filed on a form prescribed by the administrator and verified by the claimant.³

Each claim requires a completed, signed claim form, a copy of a photo ID and a Social Security number. Any other requirements are listed on the form the portal generates.¹

To prove a right to claim for a deceased person, a claimant may submit the court order documents showing appointment as personal representative or executor: the will, court appointment, or probate.⁴

Claiming without a probate order

If the deceased did not have a will, an affidavit of small estate may be submitted if the requirements of SDCL 29A-3-1201 are met.⁴

SDCL 29A-3-1201 allows the successor affidavit when the entire estate, less liens and encumbrances, does not exceed $100,000, 30 days have passed since the death, and no application or petition for appointment of a personal representative is pending or has been granted.⁵

The decedent must also have incurred no indebtedness to the Department of Social Services for medical assistance for nursing home or other medical institutional care. Any holder of the decedent's personal property, bank accounts or securities, including unclaimed property, must then transfer it to the successor.⁵

Processing time

Under SDCL 43-41B-25, the administrator considers each claim within 180 days after it is filed.³

If a claim is denied

Under SDCL 43-41B-25, the administrator gives the claimant notice if the claim is denied in whole or in part.³

Deadline to claim

The State Treasurer's portal states that "the State holds these lost funds until claimed by either the original owner or their heirs," so an heir may file a claim at any time.¹

Governing law: SDCL Chapter 43-41B (Uniform Unclaimed Property Act); §§ 43-41B-1, 43-41B-25

Waiting period before using the small-estate affidavit

within 30 days of the death⁵

The administrator considers a filed claim

within 180 days of the claim is filed; the claimant is given notice if the claim is denied in whole or in part³

South Dakota Department of Health, vital records office

Certified death certificates for the claim⁴

1. 1.cash.sd.gov (South Dakota State Treasurer unclaimed property portal)
2. 2.South Dakota Unclaimed Property search and claims
3. 3.SDCL 43-41B-25
4. 4.Claim FAQ (South Dakota Unclaimed Property)
5. 5.SDCL 29A-3-1201 (collection of personal property by affidavit)