Unclaimed money in Mississippi

What is unclaimed property?

Unclaimed property is money or assets that a business or government agency is holding for you. It might be a forgotten bank account, an insurance payout, a utility deposit, or a tax refund. Mississippi's Unclaimed Property program holds these assets until you claim them.

Who can claim unclaimed money?

You can search for and claim unclaimed property if:

• You are the rightful owner or beneficiary
• You have a legal claim to the money (for example, as an heir of someone who died)
• The property belonged to a business you owned

You can also claim unclaimed property on behalf of a deceased relative. See the section below on claiming for someone who has died.

How to search for unclaimed money

Step 1: Go to the official search site

Visit the Mississippi Unclaimed Property search. This is the official state database run by the Mississippi Department of Treasury.

Step 2: Search by name

Enter your name as it appears on official documents. If you don't find anything, try variations:

• Your full legal name, then just your first and last name
• Your married name and maiden name (if applicable)
• Nicknames or middle names you go by
• Names with different spelling

Step 3: Try old addresses

If searching by name doesn't work, try searching by old addresses where you lived or worked. The property holder may have used the address you had on file years ago.

Step 4: Search for others

You can search for unclaimed property under a deceased relative's name, a business name, or a trust name.

What shows up in the search

The search results will tell you:

• The type of property (like a bank account or insurance payout)
• The name of the holder (the business or agency holding the money)
• The last known amount
• When the property was reported

How to file a claim

Once you find unclaimed property, follow the claim instructions on the Mississippi Unclaimed Property website. The process usually involves:

1. 1
   Step 1: Completing a claim form
2. 2
   Step 2: Providing proof of your identity and ownership
3. 3
   Step 3: Submitting documents to the Mississippi Department of Treasury

Applying is free. Only the state decides whether you qualify.

What proof you may need

Common documents the state asks for include:

• A government-issued ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID)
• Documents showing your connection to the property (old account statements, letters from the holder, or tax records)
• A death certificate if you are claiming for someone who died
• A court document proving you are an heir or executor if claiming on behalf of a deceased person

The exact documents depend on what type of property you are claiming and the circumstances.

Claiming for a deceased relative

You can claim unclaimed property that belonged to someone who has died. You will usually need:

• A certified copy of the death certificate
• Proof that you are an heir or the executor of their estate (like court documents or a will)
• Your government-issued ID
• Documents showing the deceased's connection to the property

Contact the Mississippi Department of Treasury to ask what documents apply to your situation.

Protect yourself from scams

Beware of companies that charge fees to find or claim your unclaimed property. Mississippi does not charge you to search or claim. If someone contacts you about unclaimed money and asks for a fee or personal information, it may be a scam.

Always use the official state website to search: https://treasury.ms.gov/for-citizens/unclaimed-property/

Get more help

For questions about unclaimed property in Mississippi, contact the Department of Treasury. You can also explore other state benefits or check if you qualify for help.