What is Unclaimed Money in Minnesota?
Minnesota unclaimed money, also known as unclaimed funds or unclaimed property, are funds whose owners have shown no proof of interest or control for some years. This number of years is regarded as the dormancy period and varies by type of money. Unclaimed funds can be in the form of safe deposit boxes, dormant bank accounts, unclaimed wages, credit union deposits, dividends or payroll checks, royalty payments, utility deposits, security deposits, and more.
Typically, once the dormancy period is over, the state government becomes custodian for the unclaimed funds. The process where the holder of unclaimed funds or property (e.g., a financial institution, insurance company, broker, or real estate agent) turns over assets to the state government is known as escheatment.
In Minnesota, the Unclaimed Property Act requires holders of unclaimed funds to list the funds in the annual unclaimed fund report sent to the Minnesota Department of Commerce. The department secures unclaimed funds in Minnesota.
How to Find Unclaimed Money in Minnesota
The Minnesota Commerce Department is responsible for safeguarding funds or properties until the right owners or heirs claim them. Any individual interested in finding unclaimed funds in Minnesota can contact the Department of Commerce in person or by phone:
Minnesota Department of Commerce
Unclaimed Property Division
85 7th Place East, Suite 280
St. Paul, MN 55101
Phone: (651) 539-1545 or (800) 925-5668
Alternatively, an individual can search the department’s Unclaimed Property Division database to find unclaimed property. When using this database, claimants only need to input their last name or business name in the search box. Alternatively, the party can use their first name and city to narrow the search.
How Do I Find Minnesota Unclaimed Money for Free?
The online database managed by the Minnesota Department of Commerce is free. Therefore, individuals interested in finding Minnesota unclaimed money can access this database, essentially a government list of unclaimed money, without paying cash. Likewise, individuals can use publicly accessible databases maintained by various federal agencies to search for unclaimed property. Examples of these agencies and the funds they keep include:
U.S. Department of Treasury Bureau of the Fiscal Service: This agency maintains a Treasury Hunt database for finding the following.
- Matured uncashed savings bonds that do not earn interest again
- Missing payments for securities on Legacy Treasury Direct
- Missing payments on a series of H or HH saving bonds
U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs: This agency supports and offers life insurance to those who served in the military. The department maintains a database that allows people to search for unclaimed life insurance policies. Also, individuals can visit the agency in person or call its phone line to find unclaimed funds:
US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
810 Vermont Avenue North West
Washington, DC 20420
Phone: (800) 827-1000
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): Anyone who received mortgage or financial help through HUD can use the department’s database to check if they have any refund checks. Then, the homeowner can contact the agency to claim their funds at:
451 7th Street South West
Washington, DC 20410
Phone: (800) 697-6967
How to Claim Unclaimed Money in Minnesota
Individuals who want to claim unclaimed funds or properties in Minnesota must search for the funds using the Minnesota Commerce Department’s Unclaimed Property Division website. After selecting the property to claim, an individual must review it and click the “File Claim” button. Then, the claimant will be directed to the “Claimant Info” page, where they will be required to fill in their complete information. This includes a current mailing address to receive the unclaimed funds.
Subsequently, the claimant will need to click the “Next” button to move them to the “Preview screen” to verify the provided information. Next, the claimant must enter their name, sign the claim form, and submit the claim.
After submitting the claim, the Unclaimed Property Unit will send an email indicating the claim’s ID and the documents the claimants must submit. For example, suppose the original owner is the one filing the claim. In that case, they must provide their Social Security Number, Birthdate, and name change documents (if applicable), such as a marriage certificate, divorce paper, or other court documents. The claimant can submit the documents online via the Unclaimed Property Division’s secure link or send them by mail to the following address:
Minnesota Department of Commerce
Unclaimed Property Division
85 7th Place East, Suite 280
St. Paul, MN 55101
It should be noted that when submitting documents online, individuals must input their claim ID and follow the submission requirements on the Department of Commerce’s website. Also, individuals who opt for mail submission must submit original documents only.
How Long Does It Take to Get Unclaimed Money in Minnesota?
When an individual files a claim for unclaimed money in Minnesota, it takes 90 days to receive the funds. During these 90 days, the individual can track their claim online with their claim ID. Claimants who do not receive a response after 90 days should call the Department of Commerce’s Unclaimed Property Unit at (651) 539-1545
Who Can Claim Unclaimed Money From Deceased Relatives in Minnesota?
Various categories of people, including an heir, a surviving family member, a probate-court-appointed administrator, and an executor, can claim unclaimed money from deceased relatives in Minnesota. However, such persons must provide proof of death, such as a death certificate, and evidence of their relationship with the deceased before the Unclaimed Property Division can release the money.
What Happens to Minnesota Unclaimed Money if No One Claims It?
When holders of unclaimed funds cannot find their rightful owners over a certain period, they turn the funds over to the Minnesota Department of Commerce for safekeeping. The department does not take permanent ownership of the funds. Instead, it continuously attempts to locate the rightful owners. Even if nobody comes to claim the funds, the Minnesota Commerce Department will hold them indefinitely for the rightful owners.
Can Someone in Minnesota Claim Unclaimed Money From Another State?
Yes. Anyone residing in Minnesota can claim unclaimed funds from another U.S state. Any interested resident can search the state’s unclaimed money website. If the resident finds an unclaimed property, they can file a claim following the instructions provided on the website.
Unclaimed money in the United States is public and can be accessed by anyone through official or non-governmental services. Third-party unclaimed money search engines are easy to use and deliver fast results not limited by geographic region. Users can typically search for unclaimed money through third-party search sites using just a full name or business name. However, because these sites are not government-sponsored, the availability and accuracy of results can vary.
