How to claim unclaimed money in Arizona
Arizona’s Department of Revenue is holding over two billion dollars in forgotten bank accounts, uncashed checks, and old insurance payouts. Here’s exactly how to find out if any of it belongs to you — and how to get it back for free.
Unclaimed property ends up with the state when a bank, employer, insurer, or utility loses touch with the rightful owner. Under Arizona’s Revised Unclaimed Property Act, most account types are considered abandoned after just one to three years of no owner contact — shorter than many other states — before holders must turn the funds over to the Arizona Department of Revenue for safekeeping. From there, the state holds it under your name for up to 35 years, waiting for you to claim it.
Search the official Arizona Unclaimed Property database with your current and past names.
Open Arizona search guide →Common ways people end up owed money in Arizona
You don’t need a dramatic story for the state to be holding something in your name. Most claims trace back to something ordinary:
- Closed a bank account and left a small balance behind
- Moved out of Arizona without leaving a forwarding address
- Inherited from a relative who lived or banked in Arizona
- Had a payroll check, tax refund, or utility deposit returned undelivered
- Left a security deposit behind after a Phoenix or Tucson apartment lease ended
- Held stock, dividends, or a matured certificate of deposit tied to an Arizona company
Step-by-step: claiming your money in Arizona
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Search every name you’ve used
Try your current legal name, maiden name, nicknames, and any past spellings or typos on the official Arizona database. Property is often filed exactly as it was reported years ago.
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Confirm the listing is yours
Note the property ID number from your search results and match the last known address, employer, or bank named in the record to somewhere you’ve actually lived or worked.
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File the claim online
Submit the claim through the Department of Revenue’s portal with the property ID, a government-issued photo ID, and proof of your Social Security number and address.
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Wait for review and payment
Most claims are processed within 90 to 120 days. A claims specialist may contact you if extra documentation is needed to confirm ownership.
Unclaimed property is filed under your address at the time — not where you live now. If you’ve ever moved to or from Arizona, held a job elsewhere, or gone to college out of state, that state may owe you too.
Check every state you’ve lived in →Frequently asked questions
Is it free to search for unclaimed money in Arizona?
Yes. Searching Arizona’s official unclaimed property database is free, and there is no fee to file a claim for money that is rightfully yours.
How long does Arizona take to pay out a claim?
Most valid claims are processed within 90 to 120 days, though the Department of Revenue may reach out for additional documentation if your submission needs more proof of ownership.
Is Arizona unclaimed money a scam?
No — unclaimed property programs are run directly by state government, in Arizona’s case the Department of Revenue’s Unclaimed Property Unit. The only real risk is third-party “finder” services that charge a fee for a search you can do yourself for free.
What happens if I never claim my money?
Arizona holds unclaimed funds for up to 35 years from the end of the fiscal year they were received, so there’s no rush — but there is an eventual window. It’s worth searching and filing as soon as you find a match.
Ready to check? Start with the Arizona unclaimed money search guide, then use the full 50-state checklist to cover every place you’ve ever lived.
