Did you know that businesses are legally required to turn over inactive accounts to the state? These funds, often termed “lost,” “abandoned,” or “unclaimed,” are held by the government for safekeeping until the rightful owners come forward. In New Mexico, the Unclaimed Property Unit acts as the custodian for these assets, ready to return them to you, free of charge, once your entitlement is verified. While waiting to be claimed, these funds support vital state services for New Mexico residents and taxpayers.
To see if you have unclaimed property in New Mexico, visit the official search portal: https://nmclaims.unclaimedproperty.com/en/.
For detailed instructions on eligibility and claim filing, please refer to Filing a Claim.
Broaden Your Search: National and Federal Databases
To maximize your search, consider exploring beyond New Mexico.
National Database: Missingmoney.com, officially endorsed by New Mexico and numerous other states, is a comprehensive resource for unclaimed property listings. Searching and initiating a claim through missingmoney.com is completely free. If your state isn’t listed on Missingmoney.com, their website provides guidance on contacting the relevant unclaimed property office directly.
Federal Assets: Unclaimed assets may also reside at the federal level. The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Management Service offers a website dedicated to helping you locate these funds. Navigate to their site, find the ‘A to Z Index’ in the left navigation, click ‘U,’ and then select ‘Unclaimed Assets, FAQ’ for more information.
Tips for an Effective Unclaimed Property Search
Here are some helpful tips to refine your search for unclaimed property:
- Search Scope: You can search for yourself, family members, or businesses. Individual searches require a last name and at least a partial first name. Family searches only need a last name. Business searches require the business name.
- Claim Eligibility: While anyone can conduct a search, only the rightful owner or legal heir can file a claim. Business owners can claim property on behalf of their businesses.
- Refine Common Names: If you have a common name, narrow your search by including the city and/or state where you’ve lived.
- Deceased Relatives: You can search for deceased family members, but only the legitimate heir is entitled to claim the property.
For more specific advice, Missingmoney.com provides additional search tips on their website.
Contact Us
For any inquiries, you can reach the New Mexico Unclaimed Property Unit via email at [email protected].
