Georgia Unclaimed Property: How to Search and Claim for Free

How to search for Georgia unclaimed property

The official search is at gaclaims.unclaimedproperty.com/en.¹ The program's information pages are at dor.georgia.gov.⁸

Which names and places to try: how to search well.

Fast-track and automatic payments

• Automatic 'exact match' payments without a claim (from July 1, 2026): cash property, natural-person sole owner, identity verified by DOR, up to $500 per property; paid electronically or by check per the owner's latest state income tax refund instructions, after offset of unpaid state tax.²

Property the state program does not hold

These official bodies keep their own records, searched separately:

• Unclaimed tax sale overages (excess funds from county tax sales) are listed on the website of the county where the parcel was sold, not by the state program⁴
• Real estate is not held by the program; ask the county tax commissioner⁴

How to claim unclaimed property in Georgia, step by step

Claims can be filed online on the official site.¹ Cost: Free.⁴

1. Search the free database by name (city optional); estates search with the decedent's name, SSN and/or estate FEIN; Georgia businesses with company name and FEIN.¹
2. Register for a free account on the claims portal and submit the claim (for yourself, your business, or as an heir or executor).¹
3. Estate and business claims must also send a printed claim form, which may need additional documentation.¹
4. Upload all documents to speed up the claim.⁹
5. Check claim status online.³
6. Receive payment (DOR site: paper check mailed to the address registered on the claim).¹

• Interest: No interest or other increments after the property is delivered to the state⁵
• If a claim is denied: Appeal to the Superior Court of Fulton County within 90 days of DOR's decision, or within 180 days of filing if DOR has not acted in 90 days; tried de novo without a jury⁵

The general process is in our how to claim guide.

Documents you need, by situation

These are the official requirements. The claim form for a specific property can ask for more.

Claiming your own property

• Legible copy of the claimant's valid driver's license⁵
• If no driver's license: legible copy of U.S./state/territory photo ID, a valid foreign passport or national ID card, or other evidence DOR accepts⁵
• Claim must be on DOR's prescribed claim form; failure to use it voids the claim⁵

The owner has died (estate)

• Heir affidavit without probate court order (from July 1, 2026) when total held for the deceased owner is $7,500 or less and no Georgia probate proceeding is pending or was ever filed; 'heir' = adult surviving spouse, child, parent or sibling; all heirs sign; each recipient is liable for estate debts up to the value received²
• Estate searches/claims: decedent's name, Social Security Number and/or estate FEIN; printed Claim Form that may need additional documentation¹

You are an heir

• Heirs (spouse, child, parent or sibling, 18+) of an owner with $7,500 or less held: affidavit signed by all heirs instead of a probate court order; copy of the will if the owner died testate²

A business or government agency

• Georgia business: company name and FEIN; printed Claim Form that may need additional documentation¹

Securities, safe deposit boxes and other cases

• Third party (non-CDR) acting for an owner: notarized Form UP-1061 Power of Attorney¹⁰
• Claims through a registered CDR: notarized Form UP-CDR2 Recovery Agreement (or UP-CDR4 Purchase Agreement) plus at minimum a copy of the claimant's driver's license and Social Security card¹¹
• Safe deposit box contents are delivered directly to the claimant (never to a CDR), less any lessor lien⁵
• Securities: provide a brokerage account to receive unsold shares⁴

Not listed in the official sources we checked: a former address or a name change. The claim form shows what to send.

See also: claiming for a deceased relative and the claim documents tool.

How long it takes, how you are paid and the deadline

Processing time

• Most claims paid within 30 days of receipt; may take up to 90 days³

How you are paid

Georgia can pay electronically or by check.

• Electronic transfer or check (by statute since July 1, 2026), after offset of any unpaid Georgia tax; DOR web pages still say paper check only²

Deadline

Owners and heirs in Georgia generally have no deadline, but the rule has exceptions.

• No time limit, except excess funds from the sale of an abandoned motor vehicle (one year)⁴

Contact the Georgia unclaimed property office

When property becomes unclaimed: dormancy periods

In Georgia most property is presumed abandoned after 5 years without owner contact.¹³ Wages move faster: 1 year.¹³ More on how this works: what happens after the dormancy period.

Other states: dormancy periods table.

• Minimum amounts: No minimum: all amounts must be reported and remitted (owner notice required only at $50 or more)¹⁴
• Gift cards: Unredeemed gift certificates listed with a 5-year dormancy period in DOR's holder property codes¹³
• Published lists of owners: DOR publishes the 'Georgia Unclaimed Property List' (O.C.G.A. § 44-12-215); from July 1, 2026 DOR may delay listing reported-but-not-yet-delivered stocks until remitted²

Finder fees and heir finders in Georgia

The legal limit in Georgia: 30% of the claimed amount or the property's value, whichever is lower, under a Recovery Agreement; no cap if a court order is required to prove entitlement, and no cap on Purchase Agreements (owner sells the property to the CDR).⁵ You never need a finder: claiming directly is free.⁴

• Are finders allowed? Yes.⁴
• Contract rules: Must use DOR's standard forms (UP-CDR2 Recovery Agreement / UP-CDR4 Purchase Agreement) or the claim is void; agreements must disclose total value, fee percentage and dollar amount, net to claimant, account numbers, CDR registration number; notarized; extra terms only if property exceeds $2,000 and only with signed Addendum UP-CDR3 (disputes may go to interpleader in Fulton County Superior Court); claimant may revoke; no advance fees; solicitations must carry the state-mandated notice; agreements made on/after July 1, 2026 unenforceable for 120 days after the date of payment or the delivery of the property to DOR²
• The law: O.C.G.A. §§ 44-12-224, 44-12-239, 44-12-239.1, 44-12-239.2 (as enacted by SB 103, 2023, effective July 1, 2024) and § 44-12-220(d.1)(4) (SB 403, effective July 1, 2026)¹¹ (read the text)

Before signing with a finder, read how finders work.

How to spot Georgia unclaimed property scams

Georgia's official search is not on a .gov address: it is gaclaims.unclaimedproperty.com,¹ linked from the program's site dor.georgia.gov.⁸ Reach it from the program's own pages rather than from an ad or a message.

What Georgia warns about

• You never need a finder: claiming directly from the state is free¹⁵
• Finder (CDR) contacts are legal only if the CDR is registered; using one is optional⁴
• CDRs may not pose as government; every solicitation must carry a capitalized state-mandated disclaimer¹⁶
• A holder's due diligence letter is legitimate: it is the company's last attempt to reach you before sending property to the state⁴

Unsure about a letter, text or call? Try the scam check or read how to spot a fake notice.

Georgia unclaimed property in numbers

For businesses: reporting unclaimed property to Georgia

• Report due: November 1 (report items reaching dormancy July 1 - June 30); insurance companies May 1 (calendar-year period)¹⁷
• Due diligence letters to owners: For property of $50 or more: first-class letter to last known address 60-120 days before remitting; certified mail if over $10,000; plus email if the owner agreed to electronic communications (effective July 1, 2026); cost may not be deducted from the property¹³
• Where to report: gareporting.unclaimedproperty.com¹⁷
• File format: NAUPA format through the online portal; mandatory when reporting over 25 accounts; securities by DTC transfer to Wells Fargo Advisors (DTC 0141, account 7888-0087); negative reports required¹³
• Voluntary disclosure: Holders or consultants with compliance issues contact UCP (voluntary compliance email [email protected])¹⁷

New to this? See who must report. Other states' dates are in the holder reporting deadlines table.

Other rules specific to Georgia

• Law: Disposition of Unclaimed Property Act, O.C.G.A. § 44-12-190 et seq. (Title 44, Chapter 12, Article 5, §§ 44-12-190 to 44-12-239.2)¹³
• Georgia's program is run by the Department of Revenue (not a treasurer or comptroller), within its Local Government Services Division⁷
• Automatic 'exact match' payments of up to $500 per property without a claim, using state income tax refund instructions (SB 403, effective July 1, 2026)¹⁸
• Small-estate heir affidavit up to $7,500, no probate court order needed (SB 403, July 1, 2026)¹⁸
• Claim payments are first applied to any unpaid Georgia tax debt²
• Registered finders (CDRs) get a weekly-updated downloadable database (over 1 GB) of all accounts; CDR registration costs $1,200 for four years¹⁶
• When the owner and a finder file complete claims the same day, the owner wins; between finders, the lowest fee wins¹⁶
• Shares received after July 1, 2024 are sold on receipt (earlier ones within three years); owners get the sale proceeds, with no claim for later appreciation⁴
• Wills and trust documents found in abandoned safe deposit boxes are kept separately by DOR and can be released to the testator, probate court, or trustee⁵
• Excess funds from sales of abandoned motor vehicles are published on a separate DOR list and must be claimed within one year⁴
• Georgia sells a list of unclaimed property owners⁴
• Searchers must certify an interest in the property under O.C.G.A. § 44-12-215 before searching¹⁹
• Unclaimed U.S. savings bonds are handled by the U.S. Treasury (TreasuryDirect), per DOR⁴
• DOR does not issue tax documents for returned property⁴

Georgia unclaimed property: questions people ask

When is the Georgia unclaimed property report due?

November 1 (report items reaching dormancy July 1 - June 30); insurance companies May 1 (calendar-year period)¹⁷ Details above.

Where do I search for Georgia unclaimed property?

On the official search at gaclaims.unclaimedproperty.com.¹ Searching and claiming there is free.⁴

Is it free to claim unclaimed property in Georgia?

Free⁴

Which law governs unclaimed property in Georgia?

Disposition of Unclaimed Property Act, O.C.G.A. § 44-12-190 et seq.¹³

Where are the Georgia unclaimed property claim forms?

dor.georgia.gov/…¹⁰

How do I claim unclaimed property in Georgia?

Claims can be filed online on the official site.¹ First step: Search the free database by name (city optional).¹ All the steps.

What is the Georgia unclaimed property phone number?

Main line: (855) 329-9863.⁶ Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm⁶

How long does a Georgia unclaimed property claim take?

Most claims paid within 30 days of receipt; may take up to 90 days³ Details above.

What is the dormancy period for unclaimed property in Georgia?

5 years for most property;¹³ other types differ (see the table).

Is the Georgia unclaimed property site legitimate?

Yes, if it is gaclaims.unclaimedproperty.com:¹ the program is run by the Georgia Department of Revenue (DOR), Local Government Services Division, Unclaimed Property Program.⁷ What the program warns about.

Moved? Neighboring programs

• Florida unclaimed property
• Alabama unclaimed property
• Tennessee unclaimed property
• North Carolina unclaimed property
• South Carolina unclaimed property

See which state holds your property, or list every search with the multi-state checklist.

Sources

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

1. How Do I Search for Unclaimed Property Georgia Department of Revenue · dor.georgia.gov · checked Nov. 3, 2026
   Quoted text (8)

   Begin Your Search [https://gaclaims.unclaimedproperty.com/en/]

   To submit a claim, you'll need to register for an account [https://gaclaims.unclaimedproperty.com/en/].

   It is completely free to search the database and to claim your property. All you need to begin is your name. Adding the city will narrow down your search results.

   There is no cost to register and you can view your claim status online. You can submit a claim for yourself, your business or as an heir or executor.

   To submit a claim on behalf of an estate or business, you will be required to submit a printed Claim Form that may need additional documentation.

   A paper check will be mailed to the address the claimant registered when they filed their claim.

   You may also search for unclaimed property on behalf of an estate. To do so, you will need the decedent’s name, Social Security Number and/or the estate’s Federal Employer Identification Number to begin the search.

   To search on behalf of a Georgia business, you will need your company name and FEIN.

2. 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 (7)

   (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.

   (D) Amount to be paid does not exceed $500.00 per property.

   (4) This subsection applies only if the total aggregate value of unclaimed property held by the department on behalf of the owner is equal to or less than $7,500.00 and no proceeding in any probate court in Georgia is pending or has been filed in Georgia in the past.

   If the owner died testate, the claim shall be accompanied by a copy of the will.

   (e) When certain intangible interests in business associations, including, but not limited to, stocks and shares in business associations, are not yet received by the commissioner but are reported under Code Section 44-12-214, the commissioner may decline to publish notice until such property is remitted to the commissioner.

   (4) All unclaimed property purchase agreements and unclaimed property recovery agreements entered into on or after July 1, 2026, and reported and delivered to the commissioner under this article shall be unenforceable for 120 days after the date of payment or the delivery of property to the commissioner.

   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.

3. Unclaimed Property Claims - FAQs Georgia Department of Revenue · dor.georgia.gov · checked Nov. 3, 2026
   Quoted text (2)

   Most claims are paid within 30 days of the claim being received. However, the process may take up to 90 days.

   You can check your claim status online [https://gaclaims.unclaimedproperty.com/en/ClaimantAccount/ClaimantLogin] on the Georgia Department of Revenue website.

4. General Unclaimed Property FAQs Georgia Department of Revenue · dor.georgia.gov · checked Nov. 3, 2026
   Quoted text (12)

   There is no limit to claim unclaimed property except for excess funds from the sale of an abandoned motor vehicle which are limited to one year.

   No. You can reclaim property free of any fees.

   Detailed Tax Sale Overage lists are available on the website of the county in which the sold parcel is located.

   The Unclaimed Property Program does not serve as custodian over real estate. You can call the tax commissioner in the county where the parcel is located to obtain information about land ownership.

   To avoid delays, provide a brokerage account with your claim.

   In Georgia it is legal for Claimants’ Designated Representatives also know as “finders” or “locators” to provide unclaimed property location services in Georgia provided they are registered with the state and follow all regulations.

   Using a CDR service is not required to claim your unclaimed property.

   An unclaimed property due diligence letter is an organization's last attempt to contact you before escheating your property to the state.

   Shares received by the Unclaimed Property Program after July 1, 2024 will be sold upon receipt. Shares received earlier, will still be sold within three years of receipt.

   Georgia does sell a list of unclaimed property owners which lists all types of Unclaimed Property held by the program.

   Please visit the U.S. Treasury’s website at https://www.treasurydirect.gov/ [https://www.treasurydirect.gov/] to search for unclaimed U.S. Savings Bonds.

   No. We recommend you consult a tax professional to determine your tax liability, if any.

5. SB 103 (2023), Act 81, as passed - amending O.C.G.A. Title 44, Ch. 12, Art. 5 Georgia General Assembly · legis.ga.gov · signed May 1, 2023; effective July 1, 2024 · checked Nov. 3, 2026
   Quoted text (8)

   (d)(1) The total fees and costs under an Unclaimed Property Recovery Agreement may not exceed 30 percent of the claimed amount or the unclaimed property's value, whichever is lower.

   (f) The owner of any property delivered to the commissioner pursuant to this article shall not be entitled to receive income or other increments on account of such property that accrues after such property is delivered to the commissioner.

   Any person aggrieved by a decision of the commissioner to approve or deny a claim or whose claim the commissioner has failed to act upon within 90 days after the filing of the claim may appeal such decision or lack of decision, either of which shall be deemed the final agency decision, to the Superior Court of Fulton County.

   (1) A legible copy of the claimant's valid driver's license;

   (2) If the claimant has not been issued a valid driver's license at the time of the original claim form is filed, a legible copy of a photographic identification of the claimant issued by the United States or a state or territory of the United States, a valid passport or national identification card issued by a foreign nation, or other evidence deemed acceptable by the commissioner; and

   Except as provided in subsection (g) of Code Section 44-12-224, failure to use the claim form prescribed by the commissioner shall void the claim.

   (e) The contents of safe-deposit boxes shall be delivered directly to the claimant and not to the claimant's designated representative.

   (1) Retain each original will, codicil, trust instrument, or amendment to a trust instrument; provided, however, that, upon request, the commissioner shall:

6. Contact Unclaimed Property Georgia Department of Revenue · dor.georgia.gov · checked Nov. 3, 2026
   Quoted text (4)

   (855) 329-9863

   [email protected] - Claims [email protected] - Holders [email protected] - Voluntary Compliance

   Mail to 4125 Welcome All Road Atlanta, GA 30349

   Monday - Friday | 8:00am - 4:30pm

7. Notice of Securities Liquidation Georgia Department of Revenue · dor.georgia.gov · checked Nov. 3, 2026
   Quoted text (1)

   Georgia Department of Revenue Local Government Services Unclaimed Property Program

8. Unclaimed Property (program landing page) Georgia Department of Revenue · dor.georgia.gov · checked Nov. 3, 2026
   Quoted text (1)

   People who have lived in Georgia may have property being protected by the state, including uncashed checks, security deposits, overpayments, and more.

9. Georgia Unclaimed Property Search (claims portal home) Georgia Department of Revenue · gaclaims.unclaimedproperty.com · checked Nov. 3, 2026
   Quoted text (1)

   All documents should be uploaded to expedite the claim process.

10. Unclaimed Property FAQs and Other Resources Georgia Department of Revenue · dor.georgia.gov · checked Nov. 3, 2026
    Quoted text (2)

    UCP staff is legally prevented from communicating with entities who have no interest in a property.

    Third parties are required to provide a validly-executed Unclaimed Property Power of Attorney, Form UP-1061

11. Claimant Designated Representative Registration Program Overview Georgia Department of Revenue · dor.georgia.gov · 06/2024 · checked Nov. 3, 2026
    Quoted text (2)

    They must be accompanied at minimum by a copy of the claimants Driver’s License and Social Security Card.

    For a complete list of prohibited acts, consult Section 44-12-239.2 of the Official Code of Georgia.

12. 2025 Annual and Statistical Report Georgia Department of Revenue · dor.georgia.gov · Fiscal Year 2025 report · checked Nov. 3, 2026
    Quoted text (3)

    2025 David Burge State Revenue Commissioner

    During Fiscal Year 2025, the program received over $314 million in unclaimed funds, returning over $114 million and 41,357 shares of stock to lost owners.

    Unclaimed Property Collections 168,121 $ 161,911 $ 213,367 $ 214,019 $ 199,337 $

13. State of Georgia Unclaimed Property Annual Filing Report, Report Year 2026 (holder booklet) Georgia Department of Revenue · dor.georgia.gov · cover dated 05/2025; Report Year 2026 · checked Nov. 3, 2026
    Quoted text (29)

    ZZZZ Properties Not Identified Above 5

    MS 01 Wages, Payroll, Salary 1

    AC01 Checking Account s 5 AC02 Savings Accounts 5

    AC03 Matured CD or Savings Certificates 5

    MS 02 Commissions 1

    MS 15 Dissolution or Liquidation 1

    CK01 Cashier’s Checks 5 CK02 Certified Checks 5

    CK07 Money Orders 7

    CK08 Traveler’s Checks 15

    CK13 Vendor Checks 5

    SC01 Dividends 5

    IN04 Proceeds from Mat ured Policies 5

    IN09 Limited Age 2

    SD01 Safe Deposit Box Contents 2

    SD07 Wills/Trust Documents 2

    IR01 Cash 5

    HS01 Health Savings Account 5

    CS01 Cash 5

    CT01 Escrow Funds 5

    MS 03 Workers’ Compensation Benefits 5

    MS 12 Unredeemed Gift Certificates 5

    MS 14 Pension and Profit Sharing Plans 5

    UT01 Utility Deposits 5

    MI 02 Royalties 5

    TR03 Funds Held in Fiduciary Capacity 5

    MS 05 Customer Overpayment s 5

    Amounts over $10,000 require the notice to be sent by Certified Mail.

    IF REPORTING OVER 25 ACCOUNTS, HOLDERS ARE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT REPORTS THROUGH GEORGIA’S HOLDER REPORTING PORTAL.

    The Disposition of Unclaimed Property Act, O.C.G.A. Section 44-12-190 et. seq., (the "Act") protects the rights of owners of abandoned property and relieves those holding the property of the continuing responsibility to account for such property.

14. UCP Holders FAQs Georgia Department of Revenue · dor.georgia.gov · checked Nov. 3, 2026
    Quoted text (1)

    No. There is no reporting exemption based on a minimum amount.

15. Claimant Designated Representative Georgia Department of Revenue · dor.georgia.gov · checked Nov. 3, 2026
    Quoted text (1)

    Note: It is always free to search for and claim Unclaimed Property [https://dor.georgia.gov/unclaimed-property-program/how-do-i-search-unclaimed-property] on the DOR website.

16. Claimant Designated Representative - FAQs Georgia Department of Revenue · dor.georgia.gov · checked Nov. 3, 2026
    Quoted text (3)

    CDR’s may not imply or infer that they are an employee or contractor of any state or federal agency including DOR.

    The downloadable database file (in delimited text format) is over 1GB in size and may take a significant amount of time to download. Currently, the database file is updated once a week.

    CDR versus CDR: Preference to the CDR who has agreed to the lowest fee.

17. Holder Reporting Georgia Department of Revenue · dor.georgia.gov · checked Nov. 3, 2026
    Quoted text (3)

    Holder reports are due on November 1st for all holders except insurance companies. Insurance companies must report by May 1st.

    Holders are required to submit electronic reports through our online [https://gareporting.unclaimedproperty.com/]portal

    Unclaimed property holders or consultants concerned with addressing compliance issues should email UCP Reporting

18. 2026 Summary of Enacted Legislation Georgia Department of Revenue · dor.georgia.gov · 2026 · checked Nov. 3, 2026
    Quoted text (2)

    The bill also authorizes the Commissioner to automatically make payments without receiving a claim, commonly referred to as "exact match" payments.

    This simplified process using an affidavit applies only if the total aggregate value of unclaimed property held by the Department on behalf of the owner is equal to or less than $7,500.00 and no proceeding in any probate court in Georgia is pending or has been filed in Georgia in the past.

19. Unclaimed Property Search form Georgia Department of Revenue · gaclaims.unclaimedproperty.com · checked Nov. 3, 2026
    Quoted text (1)

    I hereby certify, in accordance with O.C.G.A. § 44-12-215, that I possess an interest in the unclaimed property that is the subject of this inquiry