Unclaimed Money in North Dakota

In North Dakota, as in other states, assets often become unclaimed because contact with the asset holder is lost. This can occur due to a variety of factors, including the asset owner changing their address without notifying financial institutions or the executors of an estate being unaware of certain assets. At other times, owners may forget about small balances left in bank accounts or neglect to cash checks that are issued to them. When the businesses or entities holding these funds are unable to reach the rightful owners after a period of time, the assets become what’s known as “unclaimed property.”

North Dakota law requires institutions, businesses, and governmental entities, referred to as “holders,” to report personal property that is unclaimed after a certain amount of time, typically spanning one to five years, depending on the type of property. For example, if a bank account has had no withdrawals or deposits (other than interest) for three years, it will be reported as unclaimed.

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Types of unclaimed property

In North Dakota, as in many states, unclaimed property can encompass a wide array of financial assets and accounts that have remained untouched or unclaimed by their rightful owners for a specified period. An understanding of the types of unclaimed property can assist in identifying potential claims. Here is a detailed list of the common sources of unclaimed money within the state:

  • Banking and financial accounts: This includes checking accounts, savings accounts, and certificates of deposit that have become dormant due to a lack of customer-generated activity over a certain period.
  • Overpayments and refunds: If you have made overpayments to businesses or service providers, these funds may become unclaimed if you do not request a refund or if the business cannot locate you.
  • Uncashed checks: Payroll checks, dividend checks, or any other checks that have not been cashed can become unclaimed assets.
  • Insurance policies: Unclaimed benefits from paid-up life insurance policies or funds from insurance companies for which the beneficiaries are unaware or have not claimed.
  • Gift certificates: In some cases, unused gift certificates can also be reported as unclaimed property.
  • Stocks and bonds: Investments in stocks, bonds, and mutual funds that have been unclaimed, including unclaimed dividends or profits from these investments.
  • Mineral proceeds: Funds derived from mineral rights, such as oil and gas royalties, that have remained unclaimed are also included.

Searching for unclaimed property in North Dakota

To begin your search, navigate to MoneyBot5000 and sign up for or log in to your account. Then, follow the steps below to find your unclaimed property in North Dakota.

1. Start with basic information: In the search bar, enter your full legal or business name.

2. Variations of your name: If your name is frequently misspelled or has common variations, try each of these versions. For instance, if your name is Katherine, also check under Catherine, Katharine, Kathryn, etc.

3. Browse through the search results: Once you enter your information, the tool will show you matching results. Browse through these options and check if any property potentially belongs to you.

4. Begin the claiming process: After identifying property potentially under your name, you can begin the claiming process by sending the claim form online or through mai

North Dakota's claiming process

In the state of North Dakota, the claiming process for unclaimed money is straightforward and user-friendly, with a variety of state resources available to assist claimants. It’s also free of charge, ensuring that every individual has the opportunity to locate any property that may belong to them or their relatives, including deceased family members for whom they may be the legal heir. The State’s Office typically reviews claims within a designated period after submission and communicates with the claimant regarding the status of the claim.

Claiming your unclaimed money

Eligibility criteria

When seeking to claim unclaimed money in North Dakota, understanding and meeting the eligibility criteria is essential. The fundamental requirement is that claimants must be the rightful owners or heirs of the property in question. In North Dakota, these assets can be claimed in perpetuity, which means there is no statute of limitations on claiming your money—if it’s yours, you can claim it no matter how much time has passed.

To determine your eligibility and prove rightful ownership, you will need to provide specific documentation. The most common pieces of documentation required include:

1. Identification: A valid government-issued photo identification such as a driver’s license, state ID card, or passport. This is used to verify your identity and ensure that the unclaimed property is returned to the rightful owner.

2. Evidence of Social Security number: A Social Security card, a W-2 form, or a pay stub with a Social Security number can be used to further establish your identity and match you to the unclaimed property.

3. Verification of address: You must demonstrate that you lived at the address associated with the unclaimed funds. This can typically be achieved with utility bills, bank statements, or official government correspondence that lists your name and the address in question.

4. Proof of ownership: If the unclaimed property is from a bank account, stocks, or another financial asset, documents like old statements or certificates displaying your name as the owner will be requested.

Proactive financial management

To help prevent your assets from slipping into the category of unclaimed property, adopt these proactive strategies:

Regular reviews and updates

  1. Contact information: Keep your contact information up-to-date with banks, employers, insurance companies, and any other institutions that may owe you money. Anytime you move or change your contact details, promptly update all relevant parties.
  2. Account monitoring: Regularly monitor your bank accounts, investments, insurance policies, and retirement funds. Look out for any unaccounted-for dividends, refunds, or distributions.
  3. Estate planning: Ensure your estate planning documents, including your will and beneficiary designations, are current. Review them annually or whenever there are significant life changes, such as marriage, divorce, or the birth of a child.

Documentation and records

  1. Record-keeping: Maintain organized financial records. Store important documents such as statements, policies, and inventories in a safe and secure location, and inform trusted family members of where these records are kept.
  2. Electronic records: Where possible, opt for electronic statements and records to reduce the risk of physical documents being lost. Keep digital copies backed up using secure cloud storage or external hard drives.

Active communication

Inheritance tracking: Actively communicate with family regarding any potential inheritances. Being aware of assets that may come your way can help you claim them promptly and effectively.

North Dakota Department of Revenue - Unclaimed Property Division

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Address

Department of Trust Lands, Unclaimed Property Division 1707 N 9th St Bismarck ND 58501-1853

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Phone Number

701-328-2800

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Office Hours

Monday-Friday 8 AM–5 PM

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