Quick answer: Search your name for free at ClaimItTexas.gov, the Texas Comptroller’s official site. If you find a match, click CLAIM, file online and upload proof of who you are. It costs $0, and there is generally no deadline to claim.
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Texas is holding a lot of forgotten money. In late 2025, the Comptroller’s office said it was safeguarding about $10.5 billion in unclaimed property, KXAN reported.
Texas unclaimed money at a glance
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Official website | ClaimItTexas.gov (Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts) |
| Cost to search or claim | Free |
| Deadline | Generally none. The state holds the money until the owner or an heir claims it. |
| Amount held | About $10.5 billion (Comptroller, late 2025) |
| Paid out in fiscal 2024 | A record $422.4 million on nearly 250,000 claims |
| Help line | 800-321-2274 |
| Spanish help | Yes, “Ayuda en Español” on the official site |
How to claim Texas unclaimed money, step by step
- Go to ClaimItTexas.gov and open the property search. Type the address yourself rather than clicking a link in a text or email.
- Search by last name and first name. If you get too many results, the site suggests adding a city.
- Got a letter from the state? Type the Property ID from that notice into the search instead.
- Click CLAIM next to each item that is yours, then click CONTINUE TO FILE CLAIM.
- Finish the claim form and upload the documents it asks for. The site has its own page for uploading claim documentation.
- Track your claim on the “Check the Status of a Claim” page until you are paid.
That’s the whole process. Most people spend more time finding an old utility bill than filling in the form.
What kind of money is waiting
Since 1963, Texas has required banks, businesses and government offices to send the state money they could not return. Depending on the type of property, that happens after it sits untouched for up to five years, according to ClaimItTexas.
Common examples the Comptroller lists include:
- Uncashed payroll, dividend or cashier’s checks
- Forgotten bank and savings accounts
- Utility deposits and other refunds
- Stocks, bonds and mutual fund accounts
- Insurance payments
- Contents of abandoned safe deposit boxes
Two quick examples
These are made-up examples to show how claims usually work. They are not real people.
Example 1: the old apartment deposit. Say you rented in Austin in 2018 and moved to San Antonio. The electric company mailed your deposit refund to the old address. The check came back, the utility held it, and years later it was sent to the state. A search for your name plus “Austin” pulls it up. Your proof is your ID and something showing that old address, such as a lease or a bank statement.
Example 2: a parent’s account. Your dad passed away and had a small checking account nobody knew about. It shows up under his name. As an heir, you can usually claim it, but you will need more paperwork, such as a death certificate and proof that you are entitled to his estate.
Documents you may need
The exact list depends on the property and the amount. The claim form tells you what to send. In general, plan on:
- A photo ID, such as a Texas driver’s license
- Your Social Security number on the claim form
- Proof of the address on file, such as an old bill, lease, pay stub or bank statement from when you lived there
- For a relative who died: a death certificate and papers that show you are a legal heir or the estate representative
- For a business: proof that you can act for the company
Also read: How to find unclaimed money in every state and from federal agencies, including old 401(k)s and IRS refunds.
How long does a Texas claim take?
The Comptroller does not publish one fixed timeline. Simple claims with clear proof tend to move faster than claims for estates, businesses or large amounts.
The best way to speed things up is to send everything the form asks for the first time. Missing papers are the most common reason a claim stalls. Check the status page every couple of weeks instead of filing a second claim.
Texas by the numbers
| Figure | What it means | Source |
|---|---|---|
| $10.5 billion | Unclaimed property the state was holding in late 2025 | Texas Comptroller, via KXAN |
| $622.6 million | Share belonging to people and businesses in the Austin area | Texas Comptroller, via KXAN |
| $422.4 million | Record amount returned in fiscal 2024 | Texas Comptroller |
| Nearly 250,000 | Claims paid in fiscal 2024 | Texas Comptroller |
| $40 million+ | Property with no public owner name, so it can’t be found by a name search | KXAN investigation |
That last number matters. If you know a company owes you money but your name search finds nothing, call 800-321-2274 and ask.
Common mistakes Texans make
- Searching only your current name. Try maiden names, married names, nicknames and common misspellings.
- Skipping old cities. Add each city you have lived in to narrow the results.
- Forgetting family members. Search for parents and grandparents who have died. Heirs can often claim.
- Searching only Texas. If you ever lived or worked in another state, check there too through MissingMoney.com.
- Paying a “finder.” The state does not charge you. You can do it yourself in a few minutes.
- Searching once. New property is reported every year, so set a yearly reminder.
How to keep your money from going unclaimed
The easiest claim is the one you never have to file. A few habits keep your money from ending up with the state in the first place:
- Update your address with your bank, employer, insurer and utility companies every time you move.
- Cash checks quickly. An uncashed refund or paycheck is one of the most common types of unclaimed property.
- Log in once a year to accounts you rarely use, such as an old savings account or a brokerage account. Activity shows the company you are still around.
- Keep a simple list of your accounts and policies, and tell a trusted family member where it is.
- Ask for deposits back when you close utility service or move out of a rental.
None of this takes long. Ten minutes after each move can save you a claim form years later.
Claiming money for a business
Businesses lose track of money too: vendor refunds, overpayments and uncashed checks from customers. Search the company’s legal name and any old names or DBAs on ClaimItTexas.gov.
To claim, you usually need to show that you can act for the company, such as an officer title in state filings, plus proof that the business was at the address on file. If the business closed or was sold, expect to send papers showing who now owns its assets.
How to avoid unclaimed-money scams
Scammers love this topic because the money is real. Watch for these signs:
- A text or email with a link that says you have funds waiting. Type ClaimItTexas.gov yourself instead.
- Anyone who asks for a fee, a gift card or your bank login to “release” your money.
- A website that looks official but does not end in .gov.
Some private companies do contact people about unclaimed property. You never have to use them. The official route is free.
What if you can’t find anything?
An empty search is common. Try again with an older address city, a former name or just your last name. Then search other states where you have lived.
Also check federal sources. Old 401(k)s, IRS refunds, savings bonds and FHA mortgage refunds are not held by Texas. Our nationwide unclaimed money guide lists where to look for each one.
Recommended products
Claims are easier when your old papers are in one place.
- Fireproof document bag for IDs and records
- Accordion file organizer for bills and statements
- Portable scanner for uploading claim documents
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Nexgen Headlines earns from qualifying purchases.
FAQ
Is ClaimItTexas.gov legit?
Yes. It is the official unclaimed property site of the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, and searching and claiming are free.
Does Texas charge a fee to claim unclaimed money?
No. The state does not charge you. Only private “finder” companies charge, and you never need one.
Is there a deadline to claim money in Texas?
Generally no. The Comptroller has said there is generally no statute of limitations on unclaimed property the state holds.
Can I claim money for a parent who died?
Usually yes, if you are a legal heir or the estate’s representative. Expect to provide a death certificate and proof of your right to the estate.
What is the Texas unclaimed property phone number?
The official site lists 800-321-2274 for help.
Bottom line
Take five minutes tonight. Search your name, your old names and your parents’ names on ClaimItTexas.gov. If something turns up, file the claim yourself, upload your proof and watch the status page. It’s free, and it’s your money.
Last reviewed: Oct. 23, 2026. Figures come from the Texas Comptroller and KXAN reporting. Always use the official .gov site.
Sources: ClaimItTexas.gov (Texas Comptroller), Texas Comptroller fiscal 2024 release, Texas Comptroller fiscal 2021 release, KXAN, KXAN investigation.
