Unclaimed Money in Massachusetts

Massachusetts Office of the State Treasurer — Unclaimed Property Division currently holds approximately $3+ billion in unclaimed property — forgotten bank accounts, uncashed payroll checks, life insurance proceeds, utility deposits, and stock dividends owed to Massachusetts residents and their families. Roughly 1 in 7 Americans has unclaimed money sitting with a state. Here's how to find yours.

Massachusetts unclaimed property — quick facts

Administering agency
Massachusetts Office of the State Treasurer — Unclaimed Property Division
Finder fee cap
10% of recovery
Small-estate threshold
$25,000
Waiting period after escheatment
No waiting period
Typical processing time
~90 days
Online claim filing
Supported
Online status tracking
Available

How to claim unclaimed money in Massachusetts

1. Search Massachusetts's database

Start by searching Massachusetts Office of the State Treasurer — Unclaimed Property Division's database under the owner's full name. Include maiden names, common nicknames (Bob for Robert), and prior legal names. State databases are not fuzzy — a single-letter mismatch will hide a valid match. HeirClaim automatically tries common variations and also searches the other 49 states so you don't miss property in a state the owner once lived in.

2. Gather identity and address proof

Massachusetts requires proof the claimant is the person (or authorized heir) named on the property. Expect to provide a government-issued photo ID, proof of your current address, and documents tying you to the address on the original record (tax returns, old utility bills, or a driver's license history). Heir claims additionally require a certified death certificate and proof of relationship.

3. Decide: probate or small-estate affidavit

For a deceased relative, the claim route depends on estate size. If the total estate is under Massachusetts's small-estate threshold ($25,000), a notarized small-estate affidavit signed by all heirs is usually sufficient — no probate court required. Above the threshold, you'll need letters testamentary or letters of administration from the probate court.

4. File the claim

Submit the signed claim form and documentation to Massachusetts Office of the State Treasurer — Unclaimed Property Division via the official claim portal. HeirClaim generates state-specific filing packets with every form pre-filled and every signature field flagged — just notarize and mail (or we mail on your behalf for Full Service claims).

5. Receive payment

Massachusetts pays approved claims by check or ACH, typically within 90 daysof approval. Status is visible via the state portal (online). HeirClaim's dashboard also surfaces status on claims we filed for you and forwards any state correspondence.

Massachusetts unclaimed property — frequently asked questions

How do I search for unclaimed money in Massachusetts?

You can search directly on Massachusetts Office of the State Treasurer — Unclaimed Property Division's official portal at https://www.findmassmoney.com/, or use HeirClaim to search Massachusetts alongside all 49 other states at once. Our search is free — you only pay if we prepare and file the claim for you.

Is it free to search Massachusetts's unclaimed property database?

Yes. Searching Massachusetts's unclaimed property records is always free on both the state's official site and on HeirClaim. States never charge to search or to release your own money — any "release fee" or upfront charge is a scam.

How long does Massachusetts take to pay out an unclaimed property claim?

Massachusetts typically processes straightforward owner claims in about 90 days. Heir claims involving estates, probate, or multi-state documentation can take longer — plan on 3–6 months if the deceased person's documentation isn't already in hand.

Does Massachusetts cap finder fees?

Yes. Massachusetts caps finder fees at 10% of the recovered amount (Per Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 200A — finder fees capped at 10% of recovered value.). HeirClaim's Full Service tier stays at or below the state cap; our Document Preparation tier is a flat fee with no percentage.

What documents do I need to claim unclaimed money in Massachusetts for a deceased relative?

Plan on a certified death certificate, your government ID, proof of your relationship (birth or marriage certificate), proof that the deceased lived at addresses tied to the claim, and — if the total estate exceeds Massachusetts's small-estate threshold of $25,000 — a probate court order. For smaller estates, a notarized small-estate affidavit usually replaces probate.

Can I file a Massachusetts unclaimed property claim online?

Yes. Massachusetts accepts online claim submissions via the state portal (https://www.findmassmoney.com/). Online filings generally process 30–60 days faster than paper submissions.

How much unclaimed property is sitting in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts currently holds approximately $3+ billion in unclaimed property, making it one of the larger pools in the country.

How do I contact Massachusetts's unclaimed property office?

Massachusetts Office of the State Treasurer — Unclaimed Property Division can be reached at (617) 367-0400 and maintains a claim portal at https://www.findmassmoney.com/. For general questions about filing, the fastest path is the state portal's status tracker or a call during weekday business hours. HeirClaim includes the state's direct contact details on every claim packet we prepare so you can follow up yourself if the state asks for additional documentation.

Does Massachusetts accept remote online notarization (RON) for claim documents?

Yes. Massachusetts accepts notarizations from any US state's licensed RON provider, which means you can have affidavits and claim forms notarized by video call without ever leaving home. This typically saves 1–2 weeks over mailing documents to an in-person notary.

What types of unclaimed property does Massachusetts hold?

Massachusetts holds the same categories as every state: dormant checking and savings accounts, uncashed payroll and vendor checks, matured CDs, life insurance proceeds, stock and dividend payments, utility deposits, safe deposit box contents, gift card balances, and refunds from businesses that lost contact with the customer. The largest categories by dollar value are typically life insurance, stocks, and matured CDs.

Can I claim Massachusetts unclaimed property if I live in another state now?

Yes. Where the claim is filed depends on where the property was last known to be held — not where you live today. If you ever lived in Massachusetts, or if a deceased relative did, you can claim Massachusetts unclaimed property from anywhere in the US (or abroad). The state will mail your check or direct-deposit to your current address after the claim is approved. Massachusetts also appears in the multi-state MissingMoney.com search, so claimants who no longer remember which state held the account can find it there.

Will I owe taxes on money I recover from Massachusetts?

It depends on the asset type. Cash from a dormant bank account is usually not taxable because it's your own after-tax money being returned. Recovered stock dividends, interest earned while the state held the property (Massachusetts and most states don't pay interest), 401(k) balances, or life insurance proceeds tied to the decedent may be taxable as income. Consult a tax professional for anything over a few hundred dollars, and see our tax guide for a plain-English overview.

About Massachusetts Office of the State Treasurer — Unclaimed Property Division

The Massachusetts Office of the State Treasurer holds approximately $3 billion across millions of owner records through findmassmoney.com. Massachusetts has one of the older state programs and maintains a particularly well-curated database, with unusually detailed property descriptions.

Massachusetts's unclaimed-property rules at a glance

Massachusetts caps finder fees at 10% under M.G.L. Chapter 200A §10B. Massachusetts participates in MissingMoney.com. MA's small-estate threshold is $25,000 (Voluntary Administration per M.G.L. c.190B §3-1201), relatively low — meaning mid-sized heir claims often need full probate. MA accepts RON for all claim notarizations.

Filing tips specific to Massachusetts

Massachusetts's findmassmoney.com portal has clean property-record displays and supports direct document upload. Processing times are typical (60-120 days). For heir claims involving wills, MA provides a simplified "Informal Probate" path under M.G.L. c.190B §3-301 that works well for routine family estates and can be completed in 30-60 days.

Common mistakes on Massachusetts claims

Massachusetts's relatively low voluntary-administration threshold ($25,000) catches many out-of-state claimants off guard. If the decedent's total estate exceeds $25,000 in personal property, you cannot use voluntary administration for any part — including small unclaimed property claims. Budget for full probate in those cases. Second: MA requires the claim form to include a middle initial if shown on the record, even if your current ID doesn't list one.

Learn more about unclaimed property

Also check nearby states

If Massachusettsdoesn't show a match, the money may be filed in a state you (or your relative) lived in earlier. Unclaimed property is reported to whichever state holds the last known address on the holder's records.

Ready to check if Massachusetts has money owed to you?

HeirClaim searches Massachusetts and all 50 other states at once. The search is free. You only pay if we file a claim for you — and only after the state pays out on full-service claims.