Tennessee unclaimed property: How to check if the state owes you money
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Department of Treasury is urging residents to search for missing money after businesses and organizations turned over an additional $248.6 million in unclaimed property since July 1, 2025.
Tennesseans may soon receive a letter from the Department notifying them of unclaimed funds. Each year, the Unclaimed Property Division mails tens of thousands of letters to individuals at last-known addresses provided when businesses and organizations who are unable to locate rightful owners report unclaimed funds to the state.
What types of funds may be unclaimed
Unclaimed property can include utility or healthcare refunds, uncashed paychecks, credit balances for overpayments, rental deposit refunds, gift certificates, securities, and abandoned bank accounts.
The Unclaimed Property program is authorized by the Tennessee General Assembly as a consumer protection program of the Department of Treasury.
During fiscal year 2025, the Division returned a record $125 million to rightful owners and their heirs. This is nearly double the amount returned in previous years.
The Division also processed an unprecedented 168,000 claims, more than twice the number paid the previous year.
“I encourage all Tennesseans to search their names each year, even if you’ve checked before,” State Treasurer David H. Lillard, Jr. said. “New money is turned over annually, and the amount continues to grow.”
How to search and claim funds
Residents can search their name and file a claim for free at ClaimItTN.gov. The state’s searchable online database contains all unclaimed property dating back to the beginning of the program. About 70% of claims are paid within two weeks, on average.
The money is held indefinitely until claimed by the rightful owner or their legal beneficiaries.
Scam warnings
The Department offered the following guidance to avoid unnecessary costs or potential scams:
- There is no deadline or fee to claim funds through the Tennessee Department of Treasury.
- Be cautious about third-party services offering to help recover unclaimed property for a fee.
- No one needs to pay to search for or claim missing funds in Tennessee.
- Requests for upfront payments to recover assets should be treated as a warning sign.
- Use caution before signing contracts with third-party finders, especially those charging high fees.
Anyone wishing to verify a mailed notice or check whether they are owed unclaimed property can do so at ClaimItTN.gov.
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