New York unclaimed funds start with the State Comptroller's search.

The search covers money, not every lost asset

The Comptroller receives dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks, dividends, court funds, estate proceeds, insurance benefits, stocks and mutual funds, and telephone, utility, or security deposits. U.S. savings bonds do not go into this system. Those stay on the federal TreasuryDirect path.

The public list is only the searchable window into the full database. OSC says online items are at least $20 or one share of stock. Accounts under $20, records without an owner name or address, foreign-address records, and some pre-1985 book records may not appear. Contact the Office of Unclaimed Funds for a full-database search when an old holder says it transferred property but no result appears after three months.

Proof connects the result to the owner

For an old address, useful records include a former license, W-2 or 1099, bank or utility statement, insurance or school record, mortgage paper, or postmarked envelope. For the property itself, OSC lists bank statements, passbooks, stock or bond certificates, uncashed checks, money orders, gift certificates, traveler's checks, and insurance policies. A marriage certificate, divorce decree, adoption paper, or court record can bridge a name change. These are examples; the claim-specific request controls what to send.

Deceased-owner claims use the claimant's authority

The file needs three things: proof that the deceased person owned the property, a death certificate, and proof that the claimant is entitled to act. If a court appointed an estate representative, only that representative may submit the claim, even if the estate's other work is finished. OSC says the appointment certificate must be dated within six months of the claim or recertified by the Surrogate's Court.

With no court-appointed representative, OSC has limited paths for the closest living family member using its Small Estates Affidavit and Table of Heirs. A claim under $1,000 may be processed through that route; at $1,000 or more, a court-appointed representative must complete it. A person who paid funeral expenses may seek reimbursement up to $5,000 with the death certificate, OSC affidavit, and proof of payment when no representative exists. The claimant enters their own information in the online form and selects the deceased-owner relationship.

Business and organization claims need a clear paper trail

Search the current name, former names, legal name, and DBAs. An active U.S. business uses its EIN in the online claim. OSC says a person filing for an inactive business without the EIN may provide their Social Security number instead. The office may ask for a corporate seal on a notarized claim form, officer or partner authorization, a recent canceled business check, or sole-proprietor or DBA records.

Name changes, mergers, acquisitions, closures, sales, and dissolutions need the chain between the listed owner and the current claimant. Certificates filed with the Department of State, articles of incorporation, merger or sales agreements, subsidiary records, dissolution papers, bankruptcy papers, and a notarized explanation are among the records OSC identifies for that job.

Keep the claim free and inside the official system

A common pitch offers to release unclaimed money for an upfront fee or sends a government-looking link that asks for personal information. New York's direct search and claim service is free. Type osc.ny.gov yourself or use the official links on this page. OSC may legitimately ask for an SSN or EIN during a claim, but the public name search does not need one. Do not enter that information through an unsolicited email or text link.