This page helps users handle an unclaimed property search or claim in Illinois, including how to use the state’s official I-CASH tools, file a claim, submit documents, and check claim status.

The Illinois State Treasurer’s Unclaimed Property Division holds unclaimed funds and other property until the rightful owner or heir claims it with proper identification.

Use the Illinois State Treasurer’s I-CASH claim search to look for unclaimed property by owner name, business name, location, or Property ID.

  • Last or business name
  • First name
  • City
  • ZIP code
  • Property ID, if listed on correspondence from the Treasurer’s Office

The last or business name is the core search field. City, ZIP code, first name, and Property ID can help narrow the results.

  • Enter the owner or business name in the search form.
  • Use city or ZIP code if the results are too broad.
  • Select the property records you want to claim.
  • Choose “Continue To File Claim.”
  • Complete the claimant information and choose your relationship to each property.

Property held by another state is not searched through Illinois I-CASH; the Illinois site points users to MissingMoney.com for other states.

What Illinois unclaimed property covers

Unclaimed property is abandoned or inactive intangible property that a company or organization is holding for a person or business. Common examples include checking and savings accounts, certificates of deposit, overpayments, insurance checks, payroll checks, utility refunds, money orders, uncashed checks, dividends, stocks, bonds, and safe deposit box contents.

Illinois serves as custodian of the property. The state does not take ownership of it, and there is no deadline to file a claim once the property is held by the Unclaimed Property Division.

Unclaimed property does not include real estate or vehicles.

Filing and completing a claim

After selecting a property, review the claim before filing it online. The claimant information should include your current mailing address because that is where funds are mailed.

For each property, choose the relationship that fits the claim. Examples include owner, heir, or representative. That selection affects the documentation the Treasurer’s Office may require.

Every claim requires at least a completed and signed claim form, photo identification, and proof of Social Security number. The claim form and email sent after submission list the specific items needed for that claim.

Some claims may require extra proof, such as evidence of an old address, name change documentation, authority to act for a business, a death certificate, a small estate affidavit, court-certified estate records, or proof of relationship to a deceased owner.

Claim document submission

Claim forms and ownership documents may be emailed, uploaded, or mailed. Use the claim document upload page when you have a Claim ID and the required files are ready.

Requirement What to check
Accepted file types PDF, TIF, PNG, or JPG
File size Each file must be more than 1 byte and no more than 10MB
File name No more than 100 characters; letters, numbers, dashes, and underscores only
Password protection Documents must not be password protected
Image quality Crop the image to the document and remove non-essential scanner background

Only submit documents needed for the claim. Uploaded documents become public records and may be subject to disclosure, with private or personal information redacted when allowed.

Claim status and Claim ID

To check a pending claim, use the claim status search with your Claim ID. The Claim ID is issued when the claim is entered and also appears on the claim receipt sent to the email address used at submission.

If you lost or forgot the Claim ID, contact the Unclaimed Property Division at [email protected] or (217) 785-6998.

New claims and re-reviews are handled in the order received. The first review of claim paperwork may take up to 90 days, and the timing can vary based on claim volume and the documents needed.

Illinois unclaimed property forms

The Treasurer’s Office provides claimant forms for common claim situations. The Illinois unclaimed property forms page includes a Search Request Form, Small Estate Affidavit, Capacity to Claim Affidavit, and Change of Address Request.

A Capacity to Claim Affidavit can be used only when the total claimed value is $250 or less. A Small Estate Affidavit is used by heirs to collect and distribute assets of a deceased person’s estate that did not go through formal probate court proceedings.

Illinois Unclaimed Property Division contact information

Use these contacts for claim questions, missing Claim ID help, or document submission.

Common questions

Where do I search for unclaimed property in Illinois?

Use the Illinois State Treasurer’s I-CASH claim search. Enter a last or business name, then narrow the search with a first name, city, ZIP code, or Property ID when available.

What documents are usually needed for an Illinois unclaimed property claim?

Each claim requires at least a completed and signed claim form, photo identification, and proof of Social Security number. The claim form and submission email list any additional requirements.

How can I send claim documents to the Treasurer’s Office?

You may send claim documents by email to [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]), upload them through the official document upload page, or mail them to the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office, Unclaimed Property Division, P.O. Box 19495, Springfield, IL 62794-9495.

Is there a deadline to claim Illinois unclaimed property?

No. Illinois holds unclaimed property in a custodial capacity until the rightful owner or heir successfully claims it.

What should I do if I lost my Claim ID?

Contact the Unclaimed Property Division at [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) or (217) 785-6998. The Claim ID also appears on the claim receipt sent to the email address provided when the claim was submitted.