Unclaimed Money North Dakota: How to Find Unclaimed Money in North Dakota

The law of North Dakota defines unclaimed money in North Dakota as any form of money or financial asset abandoned by the rightful owner for a specified period. 

Abandoned money includes money left in safe deposit boxes, bank accounts, or other financial assets or properties abandoned.

The dormancy period for most State of North Dakota unclaimed money is three years, which means if such money is not claimed by the rightful owner within this period, it will be escheated to the state. 

North Dakota has a clear statute about the process for escheating and claiming unclaimed money, which is handled by the Unclaimed Property Division of the Department of Trust Lands. 

How Do I Know If I Have Unclaimed Money in North Dakota?

If any money is escheated to the North Dakota Unclaimed Property Division, such money is put in a special fund. The division also makes efforts to locate the owner of such money. 

However, aside from this, you can also easily find out if you have any unclaimed money.

The state government of North Dakota has an official unclaimed money database that allows residents of North Dakota to search if they have unclaimed money in their name. 

You can go to the division's website to begin your search for unclaimed funds in the state. The search website requires you to provide the following information:

* First and last name, full name if it is a business 
* The city where the money was last held
* Government-issued ID
* Zip code

The search result provides you with matching results if applicable. 

After you find the money or property you are looking for, you can begin filing a claim, and if approved, the unclaimed money will be paid to the appropriate owner.

How Do I Apply for Unclaimed Money in North Dakota?

There are two ways of claiming unclaimed money in North Dakota, either through the online database or by submitting via mail. 

Both processes have similar requirements regarding the documents submitted before a claim is approved. For online claims, the following steps apply:

1. Ownership specification

After reviewing North Dakota unclaimed property on the database that matches your search result, you must specify your relationship or ownership of the said property. 

The website allows you to choose an owner if you are the property's legitimate owner. You can also select functional relationship statuses like an heir, relative, or representative of the original owner.

2. Enter personal details

Once a relationship status with the property has been established, you will be required to fill in your personal information, including your mailing address which will be verified. 

In addition to the mailing address, common documents required include a government-issued photo ID and proof of connection to the unclaimed property.

3. Claim submission

If your mailing address and other personal details have been fully verified and approved, you can go ahead to submit a claim via a secure link. 

Once a claim has been submitted, you are issued a claim ID that allows you to track your claim and know if it is approved. 

For mailing claims, the required documentation can be sent to this address:

Unclaimed Property Division,
1707 N 9th St,
Bismarck, ND 58501-1853,
Phone: (701) 328-2800,
E-mail: [email protected]

Unclaimed Money North Dakota: How Long Does it Take to Process Unclaimed Money in the State?

There is no exact time for processing unclaimed money in North Dakota, although the money that is considered small typically takes anything from six to eight weeks. 

A larger amount of money might take a longer time than this to ensure adequate verification and ascertain the money is rightly claimed.

The time required to process unclaimed money also depends on the availability of the necessary paperwork. 

You can always find out the status of your claim by contacting the Unclaimed Property Division. 

The tracking of claim status is made more accessible with the use of your unique claim ID issued while submitting a claim.

Can North Dakota Unclaimed Money be Retrieved for Deceased Relatives?

In the unfortunate event that the owner of an account or property dies, North Dakota provides regulations about eligible relatives who can claim such property. 

The person claiming the money must be the deceased's surviving spouse, child, grandchild, parent, or sibling. Without these people, any other heir of the dead may claim the funds.

The North Dakota Department of Trust Lands and Investments must receive a formal request from the person seeking to obtain unclaimed funds from deceased relatives. 

A copy of the death certificate and identification documents proving the requester's link to the deceased is required. 

Once all the necessary documents are submitted and approved, the department issues a check.

Conclusion

North Dakota ensures that financial institutions and agencies in the state escheat properties unclaimed after three years of dormancy to the state. 

Escheated properties are managed by the North Dakota Unclaimed Property Division and can be reclaimed by the legitimate owner or authorized at any time.