Gift cards and unclaimed property: the rules state by state

The short answer

A gift card balance becomes unclaimed property only if the law of the state that gets it says so. States fall into three groups:

1. Gift cards are left out entirely. Connecticut, Maryland, North Dakota and Utah exclude gift cards from their unclaimed property laws.³¹⁴⁵
2. Some cards are exempt. Florida says an unredeemed gift certificate “is not required to be reported as abandoned property”, except multi-merchant cards sold by a bank or money services business.¹⁵¹⁶ Alabama and Minnesota exempt cards issued by retailers;¹⁷⁶ Virginia exempts gift certificates redeemable in merchandise, services or future purchases;¹⁸ Pennsylvania, South Dakota and Wyoming exempt cards with no expiration date and no fees.⁷⁸²⁴
3. Unused balances are reported. Louisiana, New Mexico, West Virginia and the U.S. Virgin Islands list gift certificates among property presumed abandoned after a fixed period,^9121025 and Delaware covers stored-value and gift cards.²

The Uniform Law Commission counted in 2016 that 36 states exempted gift cards “in some manner”.²² Its 2016 model act leaves the choice to each state; for states that cover gift cards it suggests a 5-year period after the later of purchase or most recent use.²²

Gift card rules by state

Each line comes from the state’s statute or rules. Where a state’s own unclaimed property office adds a plain-language statement, it is cited as well.

Three more states address gift cards in their guidance for businesses. Kansas says gift certificate language “was taken out of our law in 1999”, but reloadable, cash-redeemable, open-loop cards are reportable.³⁵ Mississippi tells businesses to report cards with no printed expiration date after five years, and not to report cards that have one.³⁶ Oklahoma’s holder checklist lists unredeemed gift certificates at 5 years.³⁷

For every other property type, see the dormancy table; each state page has its full rules.

Store cards and bank cards are treated differently

Several exemptions cover only cards from a store, spent on its own goods or services. Cards that work like money can stay covered:

• Florida’s exception covers cards sold by a financial institution or money services business and redeemable at multiple unaffiliated merchants.¹⁶¹⁵
• Kansas reports open-loop cards that are reloadable and redeemable for cash.³⁵
• Minnesota’s retailer exemption most likely does not fit a bank-issued card.³²
• North Dakota excludes gift cards but covers other stored-value cards after 3 years;⁴ Utah reports a card registered with a name and Utah address that is redeemable for cash.³⁴

How much of the balance is reported

States do not all take the face value:

• Price paid. Alaska takes the price the purchaser paid.²⁷
• 60% of face value for certificates redeemable only in merchandise, in Alabama, New Mexico, West Virginia and the U.S. Virgin Islands.^26121025 Missouri also takes 60% but repays the owner the full face value.¹³
• Cost to the issuer. Delaware takes “the maximum cost to the issuer” of the goods or services the card represents.²
• A minimum. Delaware requires no report when the period’s unredeemed gift cards total less than $5,000 in face value;² Wyoming covers only balances over $100.²⁴

The comments to the 2016 model act say the 60% rule, which came from the 1995 model act, was meant to answer arguments that reporting the full balance was unfair to issuers.²²

Which state gets an unused gift card balance

Gift cards follow the same priority rules as other property. The first claim belongs to the state of the owner’s last known address in the business’s records.²⁰ Most gift cards carry no name or address,²² so the second rule applies: the issuer’s state of incorporation.²⁰ Delaware’s Secretary of State notes that unaddressed property of a Delaware company “should be remitted to the State of Delaware”.²¹ The which-state tool walks through the rules.

Expiration dates and fees: the federal rule

The federal rule on gift cards is a consumer protection law, separate from unclaimed property. A gift certificate, store gift card or general-use prepaid card may expire only if the date is at least 5 years after it was issued or last loaded and the terms are clearly stated.¹⁴ Dormancy, inactivity and service fees are allowed only after 12 months with no activity, with disclosure, and no more than one a month.¹⁴

Some states set stricter rules. Florida bars expiration dates and post-sale fees on most gift certificates sold in the state,¹⁶ and Pennsylvania’s exemption applies only to cards with neither.⁷

If you have an old gift card

In a state that exempts gift cards, the balance is never reported to the state. In Maine, gift obligations last active in 2022 or later are not reportable and “continue to be a liability for the business until redeemed”.¹⁹ Even after a gift obligation has been reported, Maine requires the business that sold it to “honor 100% of the value” and then apply to the Treasurer’s Office for a refund.³⁸

Gift cards rarely carry the owner’s name and address.²² Searching and claiming through the official state program is free;²³ the list of states links each one, and the claim guide covers the filing.

Businesses that issue gift cards: the holder reporting guide covers deadlines and owner notices, and the reporting deadlines table gives each state’s dates.

Questions people ask

Which states exempt gift cards from unclaimed property?

Among the states covered here, Connecticut, Maryland, North Dakota and Utah exclude gift cards;³¹⁴⁵ Florida does not require them to be reported, except certain multi-merchant cards sold by banks and money services businesses.¹⁵¹⁶ Alabama, Minnesota and Virginia exempt cards from retailers or cards redeemable only in goods or services.¹⁷⁶¹⁸ The table on this page gives each state's rule.

Does an unused gift card balance go to the state?

Only in states whose law covers it, after that state's dormancy period: for example 3 years after December 31 of the year of sale in Louisiana,⁹ or 5 years after the last purchase, reload or balance check in Delaware.² In states that exempt gift cards, the balance is not reported. In Maine, gift obligations last active in 2022 or later are not reportable and "continue to be a liability for the business until redeemed".¹⁹

Can a gift card expire?

Under federal law a gift certificate, store gift card or general-use prepaid card may carry an expiration date only if it is at least 5 years after the card was issued or last loaded and the terms are clearly stated.¹⁴ Some states go further: Florida bars expiration dates on most gift certificates sold in the state.¹⁶

Do I have to report gift cards to Delaware?

Delaware law makes a stored-value or gift card reportable 5 years after the later of purchase, reload, balance check or last owner interest, at the issuer's maximum cost of the goods or services.² No report is required for gift cards whose total face value for the period is under $5,000.² Cards with no owner address go to the issuer's state of incorporation,²⁰ and Delaware's Secretary of State says most Delaware companies are likely to owe it some unclaimed property for this reason.²¹

Can I find an old gift card on a state unclaimed property site?

Rarely by name: the Uniform Law Commission notes that gift cards can usually be redeemed by whoever holds them and "only rarely" carry the owner's name and address.²² Searching the official site of your state is free.²³

Sources

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

1. Maryland Code, Commercial Law § 17-101 Maryland General Assembly (mgaleg.maryland.gov) · mgaleg.maryland.gov · current text as displayed Nov. 3, 2026 · checked Nov. 3, 2026
   Quoted text (1)

   (q) “Personal property” does not include: (1) A gift certificate or a gift card;

2. Delaware Code Title 12, Chapter 11, Subchapter II. Unclaimed Property (§§ 1130-1191) Delaware General Assembly / Delaware Code Online · delcode.delaware.gov · current Delaware Code Online text (latest session law cited: 84 Del. Laws c. 368, 2024) · checked Nov. 3, 2026
   Quoted text (3)

   (14) A stored-value card or gift card, 5 years after the later of the date of purchase, the addition of funds to the stored-value card or gift card, a verification of the balance by the owner, or the last indication of interest in the property.

   For a stored-value card or gift card, the amount unclaimed is the amount representing the maximum cost to the issuer of the merchandise, goods, or services represented by the card.

   No reporting shall be required solely by virtue of holding property constituting consideration paid for unredeemed gift cards which, in the aggregate, for the reporting period have a face value of less than $5,000, or for gift cards having an original issue amount of $5.00 or under issued by a holder whose business is described in § 2906 of Title 30

3. Connecticut General Statutes, Chapter 32 (Treasurer), Part III Escheats, secs. 3-56a to 3-76 (archived copy) Connecticut General Assembly · cga.ct.gov · chapter page as captured Sept. 9, 2026 (notes the 2026 Supplement, revised to January 1, 2026) · archived copy, captured Sept. 9, 2026 (view capture) · checked Nov. 3, 2026
   Quoted text (1)

   (e) The provisions of this part shall not apply to gift certificates, as defined in section 3-56a, or general-use prepaid cards, as defined in section 42-460a.

4. N.D.C.C. chapter 47-30.2, Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act North Dakota Legislative Branch · legis.nd.gov · PDF created June 30, 2025 (after 2025 HB 1149); same file the program site links as /docs/ND_Revised_Uniform_UCP_Act.pdf · checked Nov. 3, 2026
   Quoted text (2)

   The term does not include: (1) Property held in a plan described in section 529A of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, [26 U.S.C. 529A]; (2) Game-related digital content; (3) A loyalty card; or (4) A gift card.

   Subject to section 47-30.2-12, the net card value of a stored-value card, other than a payroll card, is presumed abandoned on the latest of three years after:

5. Utah Code 67-4a-102, Definitions (Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act) Utah Legislature · le.utah.gov · Effective 5/6/2026 · checked Nov. 3, 2026
   Quoted text (2)

   (c) "Property" does not include:

   (vi) a gift card.

6. Minnesota Statutes chapter 345, Unclaimed Property (full chapter) Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes · revisor.mn.gov · 2026 Minnesota Statutes · checked Nov. 3, 2026
   Quoted text (1)

   "Intangible property" does not include gift certificates, gift cards, or layaway accounts issued or maintained by any person in the business of selling tangible property or services at retail and such items shall not be subject to this section.

7. The Fiscal Code, Act of Apr. 9, 1929, P.L. 343, No. 176, Article XIII.1 (72 P.S. § 1301.1 et seq.) Pennsylvania General Assembly · palegis.us · text displayed Nov. 3, 2026; latest Article XIII.1 amendment shown: July 17, 2024, P.L.910, No.81 · checked Nov. 3, 2026
   Quoted text (2)

   The consideration paid for a gift certificate or gift card which has remained unredeemed for two (2) years or more after its redemption period has expired or after the minimum period specified in section 915(c) of the Consumer Credit Protection Act (Public Law 90-321, 15 U.S.C. § 1693l-1(c)), whichever occurs later, or for three (3) years or more from the date of issuance if no redemption period is specified. The provisions of this clause shall not apply to a qualified gift certificate.

   "Qualified gift certificate" shall mean a gift certificate or gift card that does not contain any of the following: (i) An expiration date or a period of time after which it expires. (ii) Any type of postsale charge or fee, including, but not limited to, a service charge, dormancy fee, account maintenance fee, cash-out fee, replacement card fee or activation or reactivation fee.

8. SDCL 43-41B-43 South Dakota Legislature (Legislative Research Council) · sdlegislature.gov · current codified text as served Nov. 3, 2026 · checked Nov. 3, 2026
   Quoted text (1)

   The provisions of this chapter do not apply to any gift certificate or closed-loop prepaid card that has no expiration date and that is not subject to a dormancy, inactivity, or service fee.

9. La. R.S. 9:154 Louisiana State Legislature · legis.la.gov · code text as displayed Nov. 3, 2026; history line in text · checked Nov. 3, 2026
   Quoted text (1)

   (6) Gift certificate, three years after December thirty-first of the year in which the certificate was sold.

10. W. Va. Code §36-8-2. Presumptions of abandonment. West Virginia Legislature (code.wvlegislature.gov) · code.wvlegislature.gov · current code as published; read Nov. 3, 2026 · checked Nov. 3, 2026
    Quoted text (1)

    (7) Gift certificate, three years after December 31, of the year in which the certificate was sold, but if redeemable in merchandise only, the amount abandoned is deemed to be 60 percent of the certificate’s face value;

11. Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 556 – Disposition of Unclaimed Property Iowa Legislature · legis.iowa.gov · Iowa Code 2026 (PDF generated Dec. 9, 2025) · checked Nov. 3, 2026
    Quoted text (1)

    funds represented by a gift certificate balance that has not been presented within five years from the date of issuance of the gift certificate are presumed abandoned.

12. NMSA 1978 Chapter 7, Article 8A, Uniform Unclaimed Property Act (1995), Sections 7-8A-1 to 7-8A-31, with annotations New Mexico Compilation Commission (NMOneSource.com) · nmonesource.com · Current NMSA 1978 as published on NMOneSource (site last modified 11/02/2026); latest Article 8A amendment shown: Laws 2021, ch. 65 · checked Nov. 3, 2026
    Quoted text (1)

    (7) gift certificate, five years after December 31 of the year in which the certificate was sold, but if redeemable in merchandise only, the amount abandoned is deemed to be sixty percent of the certificate's face value;

13. RSMo § 447.505 (Revised Statutes of Missouri, current text) Missouri Revisor of Statutes (Joint Committee on Legislative Research) · revisor.mo.gov · 28 Aug 1998 · checked Nov. 3, 2026
    Quoted text (1)

    Gift certificates, credit memos and credit balances that are redeemable in merchandise only shall be reportable at a rate equal to sixty percent of their respective face value. The state treasurer shall reimburse the owner the full face value.

14. 15 U.S.C. 1693l-1, General-use prepaid cards, gift certificates, and store gift cards U.S. Government Publishing Office (United States Code) · govinfo.gov · 2024 ed. · checked Nov. 3, 2026
    Quoted text (2)

    A gift certificate, store gift card, or general-use prepaid card may contain an expiration date if— (A) the expiration date is not earlier than 5 years after the date on which the gift certificate was issued, or the date on which card funds were last loaded to a store gift card or general-use prepaid card; and (B) the terms of expiration are clearly and conspicuously stated.

    there has been no activity with respect to the certificate or card in the 12-month period ending on the date on which the charge or fee is imposed; (B) the disclosure requirements of paragraph (3) have been met; (C) not more than one fee may be charged in any given month;

15. Chapter 717, Florida Statutes (2026), Florida Disposition of Abandoned Personal Property Act The Florida Legislature · leg.state.fl.us · 2026 Florida Statutes · checked Nov. 3, 2026
    Quoted text (2)

    717.1045 Gift certificates and similar credit items.—Notwithstanding s. 717.117, an unredeemed gift certificate or credit memo as defined in s. 501.95 is not required to be reported as abandoned property.

    (4) However, a gift certificate or credit memo described in s. 501.95(2)(b) shall be reported as abandoned property.

16. s. 501.95, F.S., Gift certificates and credit memos The Florida Legislature · leg.state.fl.us · 2026 Florida Statutes · checked Nov. 3, 2026
    Quoted text (2)

    (b) Paragraph (a) does not apply to a gift certificate or credit memo sold or issued by a financial institution, as defined in s. 655.005, or by a money services business, as defined in s. 560.103, if the gift certificate or credit memo is redeemable by multiple unaffiliated merchants.

    A gift certificate purchased or credit memo issued in this state may not have an expiration date, expiration period, or any type of postsale charge or fee imposed on the gift certificate or credit memo, including, but not limited to, service charges, dormancy fees, account maintenance fees, or cash-out fees.

17. Code of Alabama § 35-12-73 Alabama Legislature (ALISON) · alison.legislature.state.al.us · current code as displayed Nov. 3, 2026 · checked Nov. 3, 2026
    Quoted text (1)

    (1) A gift certificate, gift card, or in-store merchandise credit issued or maintained by any person engaged primarily in the business of selling tangible personal property at retail.

18. Code of Virginia Title 55.1 Chapter 25, Virginia Disposition of Unclaimed Property Act (full chapter) Commonwealth of Virginia, Legislative Information System (Code of Virginia) · law.lis.virginia.gov · Code as published Nov. 3, 2026; includes 2026 c. 669 · checked Nov. 3, 2026
    Quoted text (2)

    (iv) credits, gift certificates, coupons, layaways, and similar items, provided that such credits, gift certificates, coupons, layaways, and similar items are redeemable in merchandise, in services, or through future purchases.

    Except as described in subsection B, a gift certificate or credit balance issued in the ordinary course of the issuer's business that has remained unclaimed by the owner for more than five years after such gift certificate or credit balance became payable is presumed abandoned.

19. FAQs: Reporting Property Office of the Maine State Treasurer · maineunclaimedproperty.gov · checked Nov. 3, 2026
    Quoted text (1)

    However, obligations last active in calendar year 2022 and later for all businesses are not reportable to the State of Maine and continue to be a liability for the business until redeemed by the owner holding the obligation.

20. Delaware v. Pennsylvania, 598 U.S. 115 (2023), opinion Supreme Court of the United States · supremecourt.gov · Feb. 28, 2023 · checked Nov. 3, 2026
    Quoted text (2)

    To resolve the competing claims, we established that, as the primary (default) rule, the proceeds of abandoned financial products should escheat “to the State of the creditor's last known address as shown by the debtor's books and records.”

    adopted a secondary rule to apply in those circumstances; namely, that the proceeds should escheat to the debtor's State of incorporation.

21. Frequently Asked Questions, Abandoned or Unclaimed Property VDA Program Delaware Department of State (Secretary of State) · vda.delaware.gov · checked Nov. 3, 2026
    Quoted text (2)

    However, if the property is unaddressed or has a foreign address, it should be remitted to the State of Delaware.

    Therefore, it is likely that most if not all Delaware legal entities would have some unclaimed property due and payable to the State of Delaware, even if that legal entity has no operations, vendors or customers in Delaware.

22. Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act (2016), text with comments Uniform Law Commission · uniformlaws.org · 2016-07 · checked Nov. 3, 2026
    Quoted text (5)

    by their nature gift cards are usually issued in a form which allows them to be redeemed by the bearer of the card and only rarely is the owner’s name and address associated with or attached to the card.

    Currently, thirty six states exempt gift cards from the application of their unclaimed property statutes in some manner.

    This was intended to address arguments that requiring the reporting of the entire unredeemed balance on gift certificates and gift cards was unfair to the issuer and perhaps unconstitutional.

    This Act does not take a position with respect to whether unredeemed balances on gift certificates or gift cards should be covered by the Act.

    a gift card is presumed abandoned if it is unclaimed by the apparent owner five years after the later of the date of purchase or its most recent use.

23. Claim Your Found Property National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA) · unclaimed.org · checked Nov. 3, 2026
    Quoted text (1)

    Both searching for and claiming your unclaimed property are free, provided you go through the official government program of the state holding the property.

24. Wyoming Statutes Title 34, Chapter 24 - Uniform Unclaimed Property Act (W.S. 34-24-101 through 34-24-140) Wyoming Legislature (Legislative Service Office) · wyoleg.gov · PDF compiled May 8, 2026 (PDF creation date; HTTP Last-Modified Fri, 08 May 2026) · checked Nov. 3, 2026
    Quoted text (2)

    is deemed abandoned if the balance remaining is greater than one hundred dollars ($100.00) and it remains unredeemed for more than five (5) years after the later of its issuance date or the last activity by its owner

    A gift certificate or merchant stored value card which has no expiration date and does not impose a fee of any kind in relation to the sale, redemption or replacement of the certificate or card, other than an initial charge not exceeding the face value of the certificate or card, is exempt from the requirements of this section.

25. Act No. 6999 (Bill No. 27-0161): Virgin Islands Uniform Unclaimed Property Act, 28 V.I.C. ch. 29 (scanned; manual transcription) Legislature of the Virgin Islands (published by the Office of the Lieutenant Governor) · ltg.gov.vi · approved April 12, 2008 · checked Nov. 3, 2026
    Quoted text (1)

    (7) gift certificate, three years after December 31 of the year in which the certificate was sold, but if redeemable in merchandise only, the amount abandoned is deemed to be 60 percent of the certificate's face value;

26. Code of Alabama § 35-12-72 Alabama Legislature (ALISON) · alison.legislature.state.al.us · current code as displayed Nov. 3, 2026 · checked Nov. 3, 2026
    Quoted text (1)

    (17) Gift certificate, other than those exempt under Section 35-12-73, three years after June 30 of the year in which the certificate was sold, but if redeemable in merchandise only, the amount abandoned is deemed to be 60 percent of the certificate’s face value.

27. Alaska Statutes AS 34.45, Uniform Unclaimed Property Act Alaska State Legislature (akleg.gov) · akleg.gov · site serves the 2025 statutes (page script year=2025) · checked Nov. 3, 2026
    Quoted text (3)

    A gift certificate or a credit memo, issued in the ordinary course of an issuer's business, that remains unclaimed by the owner for more than three years after becoming payable or distributable is presumed abandoned.

    “gift certificate” includes a gift certificate, stored value card, gift card, on-line gift account, or other representation or evidence of the obligation of a business association;

    In the case of a gift certificate, the amount presumed abandoned is the price paid by the purchaser for the gift certificate.

28. Unclaimed Property Law and Regulations (official SCO compilation of Code of Civil Procedure section 1500-1582 and 2 CCR 1150 et seq.) (PDF) California State Controller's Office · sco.ca.gov · February 2026 · checked Nov. 3, 2026
    Quoted text (1)

    Section 1520 does not apply to gift certificates subject to Title 1.4A (commencing with Section 1749.45) of Part 4 of Division 3 of the Civil Code. However, Section 1520 applies to any gift certificate that has an expiration date and that is given in exchange for money or any other thing of value.

29. Dormancy Periods for Most Frequently Reported Unclaimed Property Type (PDF) California State Controller's Office · sco.ca.gov · Rev. 07/2023 · checked Nov. 3, 2026
    Quoted text (1)

    Gift Certificates With Expiration 3 CCP 1520

30. Iowa Administrative Code 781—9.13(556), Reporting of unused gift certificate and gift card balances Iowa Legislature · legis.iowa.gov · rule text dated 02-05-2025 (ARC 8844C, effective 2/26/25) · checked Nov. 3, 2026
    Quoted text (1)

    9.13(3) An unused balance on a gift certificate or gift card that is not redeemable for cash, which was issued after July 1, 2014, and is not subject to expiration or service fees, is not subject to reporting and delivery under Iowa Code chapter 556.

31. 33 M.R.S. §2067 Maine Legislature, Office of the Revisor of Statutes · legislature.maine.gov · current through Second Regular Session, 132nd Legislature (current through October 1, 2026 per chapter notice) · checked Nov. 3, 2026
    Quoted text (1)

    For a gift obligation whose issuance or whose most recent transaction, whichever is later, occurred during calendar year 2022 or after, 0% of the net obligation value at the time it is presumed abandoned.

32. Unclaimed Property Program Holder Report Guide, Report Year 2026 Minnesota Department of Commerce · mn.gov · Report Year 2026 (undated inside; includes 2026 law changes) · checked Nov. 3, 2026
    Quoted text (1)

    A bank who issues a gift card will most likely not meet this exemption depending upon the nature of the card as it is not in the business of selling tangible property at retail.

33. SDCL 43-41B-15 South Dakota Legislature (Legislative Research Council) · sdlegislature.gov · current codified text as served Nov. 3, 2026 · checked Nov. 3, 2026
    Quoted text (1)

    (a) A gift certificate or a credit memo issued in the ordinary course of an issuer's business which remains unclaimed by the owner for more than three years after becoming payable or distributable is presumed abandoned.

34. FAQ: Reporting Property Utah Office of State Treasurer · mycash.utah.gov · checked Nov. 3, 2026
    Quoted text (1)

    True gift cards and gift certificates are exempt. However, if the card is registered with a name and a Utah address and is redeemable for cash then it is reportable.

35. FAQs – Reporting Property Kansas State Treasurer · missingmoney.ks.gov · checked Nov. 3, 2026
    Quoted text (1)

    No, the language was taken out of our law in 1999. However, if a gift card is reloadable, redeemable for cash and open loop thet are reportable.

36. FAQ's: Reporting Property Office of the Mississippi State Treasurer (portal) · ms.findyourunclaimedproperty.com · as displayed Nov. 3, 2026 (one answer refers to 2021) · checked Nov. 3, 2026
    Quoted text (2)

    If there is no expiration date printed on the card and it is five years dormant, please report and remit along with the following information:

    If there is an expiration date printed on the card, do not report or remit.

37. Report of Unclaimed Report – Verification and Checklist (Form 496-UP) Oklahoma State Treasurer · oklahoma.gov · Revision 07072025 (July 7, 2025) · checked Nov. 3, 2026
    Quoted text (1)

    MS12 Unredeemed Gift Certificates 5

38. Reporting Guidelines Office of the Maine State Treasurer · maineunclaimedproperty.gov · checked Nov. 3, 2026
    Quoted text (1)

    Even after a Gift Obligation has been reported to the state, the business that sold it must honor 100% of the value and apply for a refund from the Treasurer's Office after it is redeemed.