There is no fee charged to process your Unclaimed Property Claim. If you find your name on our list, you may print our claim form, send it directly to us and we will process your claim free of charge to you. Alternatively you may call us to request a claim form. There is no need to pay someone to work with us on your behalf. Some people and businesses offer services called heir finders or locators. Holders cannot charge or through agreement with others arrange to charge Tennessee owners to find them and return their property before it is reported to the state. Some individuals sign a contract with a locator in order to obtain a claim form from us. If you do not sign a contract, you do not have to pay a fee. You do not have to sign a contract with a locator to get a claim form.
In addition to money and securities, the Tennessee holdings include tangible property such as watches, jewelry, coins, currency, stamps, historical items and other miscellaneous articles.
Make sure you check with every state in which you have lived (unclaimed property is generally turned over to the state of your last known address as reflected on the records of the business holding your money, stock, etc.).
Another tip that may be helpful is to try various combinations of your name, try putting you first name last and your last name first. Don't forget that you may have assets in your maiden name.
Keep in mind that if someone calls or writes to you and asks that you pay them money for the successful return of your unclaimed property, you probably have some out there somewhere. The folks who are contacting you are called "heir finders." They are not likely to contact you unless they believe that they have found property belonging to you. Heir finders generally charge a fee to locate and help return unclaimed property to you.
In addition to money and securities, the state's holdings include tangible property such as watches, jewelry, coins, currency, stamps, historical items and other miscellaneous articles. Unclaimed money is deposited into a state school fund, and is used exclusively for public education. There are, however, no statute of limitations. Anyone has the right to claim property, at no cost to them, at any time, regardless of the amount or the length of time lapsed.
