How states pay unclaimed property claims

Most programs mail a paper check to the address on your claim, so a current mailing address matters. Some now also pay electronically. Here is what each state says about how it pays.

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Payment methods, state by state
Sources

Check or electronic payment: Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin
Electronic payment only: Puerto Rico
Check by mail, no electronic option stated: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wyoming
No payment method stated in the sources we could check: Arizona, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Missouri, New Mexico, Tennessee, U.S. Virgin Islands

The tag reflects the standard method in the program's own words (the first statement in the table); later notes can describe special cases, pilots or plans. Securities are often returned as shares or sold and paid in cash; the state's wording says which.

Payment methods, state by state

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How states pay approved claims
		What the state says
Alabama	Check	Check mailed to the claimant's mailing address¹
Alaska	Check	Check mailed to the claimant's address.²
Arizona	—	—
Arkansas	Check	Paper check by USPS mail; no direct deposit; no same-day checks³
California	Check	Paper check (state warrant) mailed to the claimant. No direct deposit. Unsold securities may be returned as shares; otherwise you get the sale proceeds.⁴
Colorado	Check	Payment is by state warrant (check) to the owner or heir only, never to a finder; securities are re-registered via the transfer agent; mutual fund shares go to a brokerage or fund-company account⁵
Connecticut	Check	Check mailed to the claimant's address⁷
Delaware	Check	Paper check only, by first-class mail or courier; no wire or ACH. Securities: shares can be transferred to a US brokerage account if eligible; estates are paid by check only.⁸
District of Columbia	Check	Check mailed to the claimant's mailing address⁹
Florida	Check or electronic	Paper state warrant (check), electronic funds transfer, or a stored-value product. Choose in writing within 5 business days of approval, or you will get a warrant. Securities are sold when possible; any that cannot be sold are transferred to your brokerage account or re-registered and mailed. Tangible items under $10,000 that a carrier can accept are shipped to you. Items worth $10,000 or more, or that a carrier cannot take, must be collected from the Department's Tallahassee office during business hours, either by a common carrier you arrange or in person with the award letter and photo ID.¹⁰
Georgia	Check or electronic	Electronic transfer or check (by statute since July 1, 2026), after offset of any unpaid Georgia tax; DOR web pages still say paper check only¹¹
Guam	—	—
Hawaii	—	—
Idaho	—	—
Illinois	Check	Paper check issued through the Illinois State Comptroller (safe deposit contents returned by certified mail; securities returned as shares or value).¹²
Indiana	Check	Check (state warrant) mailed to the claimant's mailing address. Securities may be transferred or paid in cash; safe deposit box contents are handed over in person.¹³
Iowa	Check or electronic	State warrant (check) by mail or picked up at the Treasurer's office; electronic deposit at the Treasurer's discretion (fees may apply); securities re-registered to the claimant; unsold safe deposit box contents picked up or mailed¹⁴
Kansas	Check	Paper check mailed to the claimant's address (no direct deposit option offered).¹⁵
Kentucky	Check	Paper check mailed to the address on the claim form; no direct deposit. Approved securities are transferred electronically to an account in the owner's name, and any unpaid cash or dividends are paid by check. Payment can go to the owner, an estate representative, a guardian or an heir.¹⁶
Louisiana	Check or electronic	Paper check by mail by default, or optional ACH direct deposit since September 12, 2026, through a JPMorgan Chase portal.¹⁸
Maine	Check	Check mailed to the claimant; stock may be reissued or sold for cash at the claimant's choice.¹⁹
Maryland	Check	Check mailed to the claimant's mailing address²⁰
Massachusetts	Check	Cash claims are paid by check through the State Comptroller, mailed to your address; securities are re-registered in your name by a transfer agent.²¹
Michigan	Check	Check mailed to the claimant's mailing address²²
Minnesota	Check	Check mailed to the address on the claim. Securities claimed within one year can be transferred to the owner's account.²³
Mississippi	Check	Check mailed to the claimant's current address; securities transferred to the claimant's brokerage account²⁴
Missouri	—	—
Montana	Check	Paper check from the Department of Revenue.²⁵
Nebraska	Check	Check mailed to the claimant's mailing address²⁶
Nevada	Check	Check mailed to the claimant's current mailing address²⁷
New Hampshire	Check	Paper check; direct deposit is not offered.²⁸
New Jersey	Check	Paper check (not issued at the office); a replacement can be requested only 30+ days after the issue date. Securities can be re-registered instead of sold.²⁹
New Mexico	—	—
New York	Check	Paper check mailed to the claim address (usually one check for all properties in a claim); no direct deposit or prepaid cards. Securities: the Security Refund Request form lets you state how you want securities returned.³⁰
North Carolina	Check	Check mailed to the claimant (NCCash Match letters: check in 6-8 weeks to the address on the letter); securities paid as cash proceeds or reregistered in book-entry form; safe-deposit tangibles returned or, if sold, net sale proceeds credited³¹
North Dakota	See wording	Payment is issued in the name of the reported owner, per court order, or to the rightful owner as determined by the administrator; finder claims are paid to the original owner.³²
Ohio	Check	Paper state warrant (check) mailed to the address given on the claim³³
Oklahoma	Check	Check mailed to the claimant's mailing address (or payment to a court-appointed representative, guardian, per decree, or to an heir for distribution); securities can be transferred to the owner; safe deposit box contents released to the claimant, representative or a commercial carrier.³⁴
Oregon	Check	Check mailed to the claimant's current mailing address.³⁵
Pennsylvania	Check or electronic	Check or direct deposit.³⁶
Puerto Rico	Electronic	Electronic funds transfer from Puerto Rico's Department of the Treasury to a bank account the claimant registers with Hacienda; no checks³⁷
Rhode Island	Check	Paper check mailed to the address on the claim, issued only in the approved claimant's name; checks can be mailed outside the US. Stock is handled in a separate transaction, and a deceased owner's shares are split and registered to each heir.³⁸
South Carolina	Check	Check mailed to the claimant's mailing address⁴⁰
South Dakota	Check	Check mailed to the address on the claim⁴¹
Tennessee	—	—
Texas	Check	Paper check by USPS mail only; no direct deposit or wire. Checks can be mailed outside the US. Shares returned via DRS when not yet sold.⁴²
U.S. Virgin Islands	—	—
Utah	Check	Check mailed to the claimant's address is the method described for standard claims.⁴³ Electronic options were described in 2026 as coming, not live, in the Division's presentation.⁴⁴ MyCash Now payees: paper check and standard bank transfer at no cost; instant bank transfer, instant card transfer, Venmo and PayPal carry a convenience fee; virtual Mastercard listed as 'convenience fee - coming soon'. The program was paused as of January 28, 2026.⁴⁵
Vermont	Check	Check mailed to the owner (online claims: "your payment will be mailed"). Securities may be re-registered or sold and paid in cash.⁴⁶
Virginia	Check	Check mailed to the claimant's address⁴⁷
Washington	Check	Paper check by mail⁴⁸
West Virginia	Check	Check mailed to the claimant's validated physical address.⁴⁹
Wisconsin	Check or electronic	Direct deposit (shows as 'ACH: WI DEPT REVENUE – WISSTTAXRFD'; no foreign bank accounts) or paper check (valid one year; reissue possible up to six years after the original check date)⁵⁰
Wyoming	Check	Paper check to claimants in the United States or Canada (checks over $5,000 go by USPS certified mail); foreign wire transfer for claimants in other countries ($6 bank fee deducted). No direct deposit/ACH for U.S. claimants; the office says it is exploring ACH.⁵¹

Sources

Footnote numbers point here. Open "Quoted text" for the exact words relied on ("[…]" marks words left out).

How to Claim: 2. Initiate a Claim Alabama Unclaimed Property · unclaimed.alabama.gov · checked Nov. 3, 2026

Quoted text (1)

This is to ensure we are sending your check to a valid mailing address.
How to Claim: Submit a Claim Alaska Department of Revenue, Treasury Division · unclaimedproperty.alaska.gov · read Nov. 3, 2026; page undated · checked Nov. 3, 2026

Quoted text (1)

This is to ensure we are sending your check to a valid mailing address.
Search for Property (claimant FAQ) Arkansas Auditor of State · auditor.ar.gov · checked Nov. 3, 2026

Quoted text (1)

No, currently we do not offer direct deposit.
FAQ: Claiming Property California State Controller's Office, Unclaimed Property Division · claimit.ca.gov · checked Nov. 3, 2026

Quoted text (1)

No. The State Controller’s Office cannot transfer funds to your bank account. Warrants (state checks) are mailed to the address provided on the claim form.
Finder Information Colorado Department of the Treasury · unclaimedproperty.colorado.gov · page last updated 6/13/2025 · checked Nov. 3, 2026

Quoted text (1)

A warrant will be issued to the owner or heir of the unclaimed property only after proof of ownership and, where appropriate, heirship has been established.
FAQs – Claiming Property Colorado Department of the Treasury · unclaimedproperty.colorado.gov · checked Nov. 3, 2026

Quoted text (1)

Mutual Fund shares can only be returned to an active brokerage account or an active account at the Mutual Fund company.
How to Claim: Step 2 Submit a claim Connecticut Office of the Treasurer, Unclaimed Property Division · ctbiglist.gov · checked Nov. 3, 2026

Quoted text (1)

This includes Claimant’s current mailing address as this will be the address where the check will be mailed.
FAQs: Claiming Property Delaware Department of Finance, Office of Unclaimed Property · unclaimedproperty.delaware.gov · checked Nov. 3, 2026

Quoted text (1)

As a fraud prevention measure, the Office of Unclaimed Property does not send funds via wire or ACH payments. A check will be sent to the address provided during the claims process.
How to Claim: 2. Submit a Claim Office of the Chief Financial Officer, Government of the District of Columbia · unclaimedproperty.dc.gov · checked Nov. 3, 2026

Quoted text (1)

This is to ensure we are sending your check to a valid mailing address.
Chapter 69G-20, Florida Administrative Code (Unclaimed Property) - compiled rules PDF Florida Department of Financial Services · myfloridacfo.com · checked Nov. 3, 2026

Quoted text (1)

The person entitled to the unclaimed property can elect to receive payment by warrant, electronic fund transfer, or stored value product or account.
SB 403 (2026), Act 410, as passed - amending O.C.G.A. Title 44, Ch. 12, Art. 5 and Title 48 Georgia General Assembly · legis.ga.gov · signed May 5, 2026; effective July 1, 2026 · checked Nov. 3, 2026

Quoted text (1)

(2) Any payment made under paragraph (1) of this subsection to a claimant shall be either electronically transmitted or sent by check to such claimant, provided that such payment shall first be credited against any unpaid state tax liability at the time the payment provided for in this subsection is to be issued to a claimant.
FAQ | Unclaimed Property Finder Applications Illinois State Treasurer · illinoistreasurer.gov · checked Nov. 3, 2026

Quoted text (1)

Approved unclaimed property claims are paid by check through the Illinois State Comptroller’s Office.
How to Claim Unclaimed Property (4 tabs) Office of the Indiana Attorney General, Unclaimed Property Division · indianaunclaimed.gov · checked Nov. 3, 2026

Quoted text (1)

This should include your current mailing address as it will be the address where the funds are mailed.
Iowa Administrative Code 781—Chapter 9, Unclaimed Property Iowa Legislature · legis.iowa.gov · rules dated 02-05-2025 (listing pubDate 04-15-2026) · checked Nov. 3, 2026

Quoted text (1)

State warrants will be mailed or may be obtained from the treasurer’s office. At the treasurer’s discretion, the division may electronically deliver funds to a claimant’s financial institution account.
How to Claim – 2. Submit a Claim Kansas State Treasurer · missingmoney.ks.gov · checked Nov. 3, 2026

Quoted text (1)

This is to ensure we are sending your check to a valid, mailing address.
Unclaimed Property FAQs (Kentucky State Treasury) Kentucky State Treasury, Unclaimed Property Division · treasury.ky.gov · archived copy, captured Sept. 21, 2026 (view capture) · checked Nov. 3, 2026

Quoted text (1)

No, we cannot direct deposit funds.
20 KAR 1:040 (engrossed text) Kentucky Legislative Research Commission · apps.legislature.ky.gov · (020 KAR 001:040. 21 Ky.R. 682; 1280; eff. 10-12-1994; 26 Ky.R. 409; 790; 987; eff. 11- 15-1999; 30 Ky.R. 1580; 2012; eff. 3-18-2004; Crt eff. 6-12-2019; Crt to Am 4-15-2026; Am due 10-15-2027; 52 Ky.R. 2103, 479; eff. 9-15-2026.) · checked Nov. 3, 2026

Quoted text (1)

In the name of, and mailed to, the established owner; or
Louisiana's Unclaimed Property Program #1 In The Country Louisiana Department of the Treasury · treasury.la.gov · September 23, 2026 · checked Nov. 3, 2026

Quoted text (1)

Claimants who do not select ACH will automatically receive a paper check.
How to Claim: Submit Office of the Maine State Treasurer · maineunclaimedproperty.gov · read Nov. 3, 2026; page undated · checked Nov. 3, 2026

Quoted text (1)

You may receive an additional screen that asks you to verify the address you entered. This is to ensure we are sending your check to a valid mailing address.
How to Claim Property – 2. Submit a Claim Comptroller of Maryland · claimitmd.gov · checked Nov. 3, 2026

Quoted text (1)

This is to ensure we are sending your check to a valid mailing address.
960 CMR 4.00: Procedures for the Administration of Unclaimed Property Massachusetts Office of the State Treasurer, Unclaimed Property Division · findmassmoney.gov · page footers 5/25/01; PDF modified Feb. 16, 2012 (file metadata). The official mass.gov copy (massgov-960-400, dated 07/09/2004) matches it on every provision quoted in this record. · checked Nov. 3, 2026

Quoted text (1)

In the case of cash claims, Level Three approval shall result in the electronic transfer of the claims approval data to the Office of the State Comptroller, where the individual claims shall be paid by check.
How to Claim Unclaimed Property – 2. Submit a claim Michigan Department of Treasury · unclaimedproperty.michigan.gov · checked Nov. 3, 2026

Quoted text (1)

This is to ensure we are sending your check to a valid mailing address.
How to Claim Unclaimed Property - 2. Submit a Claim Minnesota Department of Commerce, Unclaimed Property Program · unclaimedproperty.mn.gov · checked Nov. 3, 2026

Quoted text (1)

This is to ensure we are sending your check to a valid mailing address.
Mississippi Administrative Code Title 38 (Treasurer), Part 4: Uniform Disposition of Unclaimed Property Act Mississippi Secretary of State (Administrative Code) · sos.ms.gov · current code PDF as served Nov. 3, 2026 (no effective date printed) · checked Nov. 3, 2026

Quoted text (1)

Payment vouchers for claim payments shall be made in the name of, and mailed to, the claimant determined to have a valid ownership interest in the
Find Your Unclaimed Property in Montana Montana Department of Revenue · revenue.mt.gov · archived copy, captured Aug. 14, 2026 (view capture) · checked Nov. 3, 2026

Quoted text (1)

Claim refunds will be issued from the Montana Department of Revenue on a paper check.
How to Claim Unclaimed Property - 2. Submit a claim Nebraska State Treasurer - Unclaimed Property Division (NebraskaLostCash.nebraska.gov) · nebraskalostcash.nebraska.gov · checked Nov. 3, 2026

Quoted text (1)

You may receive an additional screen that asks you to verify the address you entered. This is to ensure we are sending your check to a valid mailing address.
How to Claim: 2. Submit A Claim Nevada Treasury, Unclaimed Property (Nevada State Treasurer) · nvup.gov · checked Nov. 3, 2026

Quoted text (1)

This is to ensure we are sending your check to a valid mailing address.
FAQs: Claiming Property New Hampshire State Treasury, Abandoned Property Division · findnhmoney.gov · checked Nov. 3, 2026

Quoted text (1)

Currently our office does not offer direct deposit.
Claim FAQs New Jersey Department of the Treasury, Unclaimed Property Administration · unclaimedproperty.nj.gov · page last updated April 22, 2025 · checked Nov. 3, 2026

Quoted text (1)

Provided the Unclaimed Property Administration issued the original check to the correct address, you must wait at least 30 days from the date the check was issued before a new check request can be processed.
Claim Submitted—What's Next? Office of the New York State Comptroller, Office of Unclaimed Funds · osc.ny.gov · archived copy, captured Oct. 26, 2026 (view capture) · checked Nov. 3, 2026

Quoted text (1)

Direct deposit or pre-paid cards are not available at this time.
NCCash Match North Carolina Department of State Treasurer · nccash.gov · checked Nov. 3, 2026

Quoted text (1)

Otherwise, in approximately 6 – 8 weeks after you receive the letter, a check will be mailed to you at the address indicated on the letter.
N.D. Admin. Code ch. 85-03-03 Claiming Property North Dakota Legislative Branch · legis.nd.gov · 85-03-03-02 amended effective April 1, 2026 · checked Nov. 3, 2026

Quoted text (1)

Upon approval of a claim, payment must be issued:
Glossary of Terms Ohio Department of Commerce · com.ohio.gov · March 12, 2025 · checked Nov. 3, 2026

Quoted text (1)

The daily process that creates an electronic file of approved claims and sends it to the Office of Budget and Management for warrant issuance. The Division then mails warrants to claimants.
How to Claim Unclaimed Property – 2. Submit A Claim Oklahoma State Treasurer (yourmoney.ok.gov) · yourmoney.ok.gov · checked Nov. 3, 2026

Quoted text (1)

This is to ensure we are sending your check to a valid mailing address.
unclaimed.oregon.gov page texts (Claims FAQ, How to Claim steps, Contact Us, Licensed Finders, Forms, Unclaimed Property Law, Voluntary Disclosure, Reporting FAQ, Checks Without Claims, Foreclosure Surplus FAQ, Useful Links) Oregon State Treasury, Unclaimed Property Program · unclaimed.oregon.gov · archived copy, captured Oct. 7, 2026 (view capture) · checked Nov. 3, 2026

Quoted text (1)

This is to ensure we are sending your check to a valid mailing address.
Treasurer Stacy Garrity: Many Unclaimed Property Claims Now Being Paid by Direct Deposit Pennsylvania Treasury Department · patreasury.gov · Nov. 16, 2022 · checked Nov. 3, 2026

Quoted text (1)

Unclaimed property payments may still need to be issued as paper checks if Treasury determines a direct deposit cannot be made.
Inactive Accounts, Abandoned and Unclaimed Property (FAQ, English) OCIF · ocif.pr.gov · not stated · checked Nov. 3, 2026

Quoted text (1)

Also, once you are notified that your claim has been approved, to receive electronic fund transfers, you must register a bank account with the Treasury Department. The Treasury Department does not issue checks.
How to Claim: 2. Submit a Claim Rhode Island Office of the General Treasurer, Unclaimed Property Division · findrimoney.gov · checked Nov. 3, 2026

Quoted text (1)

This is to ensure we are sending your check to a valid mailing address.
Información en Español: Más información Rhode Island Office of the General Treasurer, Unclaimed Property Division · findrimoney.gov · checked Nov. 3, 2026

Quoted text (1)

Tenga en cuenta que nuestra oficina sólo emitirá el cheque en nombre del reclamante aprobado.
How to Claim Unclaimed Property: 2. Submit a Claim SC Office of the State Treasurer (portal) · southcarolina.findyourunclaimedproperty.com · checked Nov. 3, 2026

Quoted text (1)

This is to ensure we are sending your check to a valid mailing address.
How to Claim – 2. Initiate a claim South Dakota State Treasurer – Unclaimed Property Division · southdakota.findyourunclaimedproperty.com · checked Nov. 3, 2026

Quoted text (1)

This should include your current mailing address as it will be the address where the funds are mailed.
FAQs - Payment Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (ClaimItTexas.gov) · claimittexas.gov · checked Nov. 3, 2026

Quoted text (1)

Unclaimed property payments are issued via physical check sent through standard USPS mail; direct deposits and wire transfers are not available.
How to claim: submit Utah Office of State Treasurer · mycash.utah.gov · checked Nov. 3, 2026

Quoted text (1)

This is to ensure we are sending your check to a valid mailing address.
County Treasurers presentation, Utah Association of Public Treasurers 2026 Conference Utah Office of State Treasurer · mycash.utah.gov · 2026 · checked Nov. 3, 2026

Quoted text (1)

Electronic payments are coming
MyCash Now Utah Office of State Treasurer · treasurer.utah.gov · checked Nov. 3, 2026

Quoted text (1)

Paper check (no cost)
Unclaimed Property (program home) Vermont Office of the State Treasurer · vermonttreasurer.gov · read Nov. 3, 2026; page undated · checked Nov. 3, 2026

Quoted text (1)

Once approved, your payment will be mailed within two business days.
How to Claim: 2 Submit Virginia Department of the Treasury · vamoneysearch.gov · checked Nov. 3, 2026

Quoted text (1)

This is to ensure we are sending your check to a valid mailing address.
FAQs – Claiming Property Washington State Department of Revenue · ucp.dor.wa.gov · checked Nov. 3, 2026

Quoted text (1)

Funds are sent via mail 2-3 weeks from your claim being approved.
West Virginia Unclaimed Property: How to Claim: Submit a Claim West Virginia State Treasurer's Office, Unclaimed Property Division · wvunclaimedproperty.gov · checked Nov. 3, 2026

Quoted text (1)

This is to ensure we are sending your check to a valid mailing address.
After You File a Claim (UCP) - Guidance Document 100308 Wisconsin Department of Revenue · revenue.wi.gov · Nov. 4, 2025 · checked Nov. 3, 2026

Quoted text (1)

Refund checks are only valid for one year. If uncashed, checks can be reissued only up to six years after the initial date of the check.
FAQs for Wyoming Unclaimed Property Wyoming State Treasurer's Office · statetreasurer.wyo.gov · checked Nov. 3, 2026

Quoted text (1)

At this time, Wyoming will only make payment via check to anyone residing in the United States or Canada.