North Carolina’s State Treasurer looks after nearly $1.7 billion in unclaimed cash and property. That’s almost 27 million properties tied to more than 30 million owners [8]. The search site is NCCash.gov. Searching is free, filing is free, and there’s no deadline [3][4].
At a glance
- Who holds it
- NC Department of State Treasurer, Unclaimed Property Division [1]
- How much
- Nearly $1.7 billion in cash and property [8]
- Where to search
- NCCash.gov, or call 866-NCCash1 [4]
- Cost
- Free; a public service of the state [3]
- Typical wait
- About 90 days for claims that need documents [1]
- Finder fees
- No more than $1,000 or 20%, whichever is less [7]
What counts as unclaimed property
Unclaimed property is money or valuables with no activity and no contact from the owner for a set time, usually 1 to 5 years. The Treasurer lists bank accounts, wages, utility deposits, insurance proceeds, stocks, bonds and safe deposit box contents among more than 100 types [3]. It often happens because a company lost touch with you: you moved, mail came back, or you didn’t answer a letter [3].
Once the waiting time, called the dormancy period , runs out, banks, insurers, businesses and public agencies must turn the property over to the State Treasurer [3]. Common periods [6]:
| Type of property | Turned over after |
|---|---|
| Checking and savings accounts | 5 years |
| Matured CDs | 10 years |
| Paychecks (wages, payroll, salary) and commissions | 1 year |
| Refunds due and customer overpayments | 3 years from a retail sale, 5 years otherwise |
| Utility deposits and refunds | 1 year |
| Cashier's checks and money orders | 7 years |
| Traveler's checks | 15 years |
| Safe deposit box contents | 2 years |
| Insurance proceeds due beneficiaries | 3 years |
| Stock dividends | 3 years |
Shares of stock are turned over after three years without contact. The Treasurer then holds them for three more years before selling them [4]. Physical items, such as jewelry and coins from a safe deposit box, may be sold online after at least a year, and the money is kept under the owner’s name [3].
How to search NCCash
- Go to NCCash.gov and search your name. You can also call 866-NCCash1 (866-622-2741), Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. [4].
- Search every name you’ve used, including maiden names and the names of relatives who have died.
- Note the amount. The site shows exact amounts only for property of $100 or less. For larger items, the call center can tell you the amount [4].
- Look again later. The database is updated daily, and a newly reported item can take up to 90 days to appear [4].
Property reported in other states isn’t on NCCash. The Treasurer points to unclaimed.org for a list of other states’ programs [3].
Three ways to get your money
The Treasurer returns property in three ways [1]:
- NCCash Match (no claim needed). For some properties of $5,000 or less, the Unclaimed Property Division matches the owner itself and mails a letter. A check follows in about 6 to 8 weeks [1][2]. If a Match letter seems wrong, call 866-622-2741 with the Claim ID on the letter [2].
- E-claim. Some claims started on the website are approved electronically when your details match the owner record, with no paperwork [1].
- Claims with documents. Everyone else prints, signs and sends a claim form with proof. You can upload it through the Claim Document Upload portal or mail it to Unclaimed Property Division, PO Box 20431, Raleigh, NC 27619-0431 [1][4].
What proof to send
If your claim needs documents, the claim form lists them. These are the kinds of proof NCCash accepts [5]:
| What you're proving | Examples NCCash accepts |
|---|---|
| Your Social Security number | A copy of your Social Security card, a W-2, an income tax form or a pay stub |
| A business's tax ID (FEIN) | An IRS confirmation letter, an IRS 1098, 1099-INT or 1099-DIV, or the IRS FEIN assignment page |
| Your address at the time | A driver license, utility or medical bill, bank statement, deed or postmarked envelope addressed to you |
Can’t find old proof of address? You can ask the NC DMV for your driver address history at 919-715-7000. The DMV charges a fee [4][5].
How long it takes
-
File the claim Online
Search, select your property and start the claim on NCCash.gov. If it doesn't qualify for e-claim, print and sign the form.
[1]
-
Send your documents Upload or mail
Processing starts once the division has every document it asked for.
[1]
-
Review About 90 days
Claims are handled in the order received and are generally validated within 90 days. A Claims Specialist contacts you if more is needed.
[1][4]
-
Approval Email
You get an email when the claim is approved, and you can check progress on NCCash.gov.
[4]
North Carolina generally doesn’t withhold tax on returned property. The office can’t give tax advice, so ask a tax professional about your situation [4].
Claiming for a relative who has died
If the owner has died, the executor of the estate can claim the property with the right documents [3]. The Unclaimed Property Division needs current, valid and legally enforceable proof that the person claiming has authority to act for the person who died [4].
- Start with the Clerk of Superior Court in the county where your relative lived. The Clerk handles estates and can tell you which documents you need [4].
- Joint property: if the property was reported as owned with a right of survivorship, the surviving owner can claim the whole amount. Jointly held property without that right needs papers from the Clerk [4].
Finders and their fees
A property finder may offer to get your money back for a cut. You don’t need one. North Carolina law puts tight limits on finders [3][7]:
- The fee can’t be more than 20% of the property’s value, or $1,000, whichever is less.
- No deals right after the money arrives. An agreement signed between the time the property became payable to you and 24 months after it was turned over to the Treasurer is void. This doesn’t apply to hiring a lawyer to file a claim or appeal a denial.
- The agreement must be in writing, signed by you before a notary, and must list the property, its value before and after the fee, and that the Treasurer is holding it.
- Finders must register with the Treasurer every year.
- The check is made out to you. A finder can’t cash or deposit a check payable to you, and a finder who breaks these rules commits an unfair trade practice under state law.
Watch out for scams
Sources
- NCCash: Claiming your unclaimed property
- NCCash: NCCash Match
- NCCash: General frequently asked questions
- NCCash: Claims frequently asked questions
- NCCash: Required forms and documentation
- NC Department of State Treasurer: NAUPA class codes and dormancy periods for non-governmental holders
- N.C. Gen. Stat. 116B-78: Agreements between property finders and owners
- NC Department of State Treasurer: Treasurer Briner returns over $20,000 to United Way of Forsyth County (October 14, 2026)
- FTC Consumer Alert: How to handle unexpected calls about unclaimed funds (March 30, 2026)
Common questions
Does it cost anything to claim money from NCCash?
No. The North Carolina Department of State Treasurer calls it a free public service. If you choose to hire a property finder anyway, state law caps the fee at $1,000 or 20% of the property's value, whichever is less.
How long does an NCCash claim take?
Claims that need documents normally take about 90 days once the Unclaimed Property Division has everything it asked for. If you get an NCCash Match letter instead, no claim is needed and the check arrives about 6 to 8 weeks after the letter.
How do I claim unclaimed money for a parent who died in North Carolina?
You need current, legally valid proof that you have authority to act for your parent, such as papers naming you executor. NCCash says to contact the Clerk of Superior Court in the county where your parent lived, which handles estates and can tell you which documents you need.