Tennessee Department of Treasury, Unclaimed Property Division

Tennessee · Unclaimed Property

treasury.tn.gov/Unclaimed-Property/Claim-Unclaimed-Property/Find-Your-Missing-Money

State Unclaimed Property in Tennessee

The Tennessee Department of Treasury holds unclaimed property — dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks, insurance proceeds, and similar assets — until the owner or their heirs claim it. The free official search and claim portal is ClaimItTN.gov. Heirs of a deceased owner file a claim with proof of death and proof of authority to act for the estate.

Steps to takeKey facts

Steps to take when someone dies

1
Search ClaimItTN.gov for the deceased's name and prior addresses, and run a multi-state search at missingmoney.com.
2
File the claim online and upload the documents the Treasury requires for a deceased owner:
  • •Estate Claim (required at $10,000 or more): certified death certificate, certified Letters Testamentary or of Administration, and the estate's FEIN
  • •Heir Claim (available below $10,000): certified death certificate, the probated will or an obituary if there was no will, and a certified birth certificate for each heir
3
The Treasury Unclaimed Property Division reviews the claim and the uploaded documentation and issues a decision.

Required Documents

  • Certified death certificate of the original owner: for an Estate Claim or an Heir Claim
  • Certified Letters Testamentary or of Administration naming the executor: for an Estate Claim
  • The estate's federal tax identification number, FEIN: for an Estate Claim
  • The probated will: for an Heir Claim
  • An obituary showing how many heirs there may be: for an Heir Claim, if there was no will
  • Certified birth certificate for each heir: for an Heir Claim

State Unclaimed Property in Tennessee: key facts

What Tennessee says6

Official search

ClaimItTN.gov is the free search and online claim portal, hosted at unclaimedproperty.tn.gov.1

Who may claim for a deceased owner

Any claim valued at $10,000 or more must use the Estate Claim option, which pays the estate.1

Below $10,000, heirs may instead file an Heir Claim, which splits the funds among the heirs.1

Documents for an heir or estate claim

An Estate Claim needs a certified death certificate of the original owner, certified Letters Testamentary or of Administration naming the executor, and the estate's federal tax identification number (FEIN).2

An Heir Claim needs a certified death certificate of the original owner; the probated will (or, if there was no will, an obituary showing how many heirs there may be); and a certified birth certificate for each heir.2

How an approved claim is paid

On an Estate Claim, the check is issued to the estate in care of the executor or administrator.2

On an Heir Claim, each heir files a separate claim and is paid separately.2

Deadline to claim

There is no time limit to claim property held by the Treasury; it is held until the owner or their heirs claim it.3

Dormancy period

Property is reported to the Treasury as abandoned after the holder has been unable to contact the owner for a set period, typically 1 to 3 years.1

Governing law: Tenn. Code Title 66, Chapter 29, Part 1 (Uniform Unclaimed Property Act)

Sources3

  1. 1.Find Your Missing Money (Tennessee Department of Treasury, Unclaimed Property)
  2. 2.Prove Your Ownership (Tennessee Department of Treasury, Unclaimed Property)
  3. 3.What is Unclaimed Property (Tennessee Department of Treasury)

Tennessee unclaimed property

Tennessee Department of Treasury, Unclaimed Property Division

Verified Aug 2026

Tools for Planning and Settling an Estate in Tennessee

Free calculators and checklists for planning or settling an estate in Tennessee: will and trust costs, probate, executor pay, and inheritance taxes.

How Do I Settle an Estate?

Settling an estate in Tennessee: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 60 daysTenn. Code Ann. § 30-2-301Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 4 monthsT.C.A. §§ 30-2-306, 30-2-307, 30-2-310, 30-2-314, 30-2-317Verified Oct 19, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 6 months to 9 months.

Get Plan

What Is the Estate's Personal Property Worth for Probate?

Estimate the fair market value of household items for probate and see how it affects fees.

Estimate Value

Who Inherits Without a Will?

Without a will in Tennessee, descendants divide what passes to them per capita with representationTenn. Code § 31-2-106Verified Sep 10, 2026View source, and an heir must survive the decedent by 120 hoursTenn. Code § 31-3-108Verified Sep 10, 2026View source to inherit.

Use Calculator

Hire a Probate Attorney

Browse vetted attorneys handling probate matters across all 50 states.

Browse firms

All Tennessee tools