Claim Your Unclaimed Property

Prove Your Ownership

To verify that you are the legal owner of unclaimed property, we must require you to prove your identity and ownership.

Congratulations on finding unclaimed property in Tennessee!

As a final step in the claims process, we will just need some additional documentation in order to prove that you are the owner of the unclaimed property. Below, you will find all of the information needed to verify your ownership and complete your claim!

happy unclaimed property claimant in front of laptop

Required Documentation for Completing Your Claim

Standard Documentation

The following are generally needed with every claim submitted, whether individual, joint owner, or business:

  • Completed Online Form or paper Claim form that is signed by the owner/claimant
    The address on the claim form is where we will mail the check.
  • A photocopy of the owner/claimant's driver's license or other photo identification
  • Documentation verifying the owner/claimant's address listed on the claim form
    Examples include a driver's license or a photocopy of a recent bill or pay stub.
  • Documentation verifying the owner/claimant's Social Security Number
    Examples include a Social Security Card, tax records, or a recent pay stub.
  • Proof of ownership documentation
    Refer to the Ownership Documentation section below.

driver's license sample

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Ownership Documentation

This documentation is required to specifically prove your ownership of the property. The types of ownership documentation required may vary, depending on what information has been provided by the reporting company or entity.

credit report

The most common forms of documentation accepted are:

  • Proof of the owner/claimant's Social Security Number
    If the reporting company provided a Social Security Number, this may be the only information needed to prove ownership. Examples include a Social Security card, tax records, or a pay stub.
  • Proof of last-known address associated with the property
    If the reporting company did not provide the owners SSN, but did provide a last known address, you may prove ownership by providing documentation that links you to that last known address. Examples include a post marked envelope, cancelled check, birth certificate, credit report, pay stub or utility bill.
  • Proof of doing business with the company that reported the property
    If the reporting company or entity did not provide a SSN or last known address this may be the only information we have to determine ownership. Documentation must show a connection or link you to the specific property. Examples include an insurance policy, original un-cashed check, bank book, stock certificate, contract or court document.

View the examples of evidence listing

Joint Owners

If you are the original owner of the property, you will need to send the Standard Documentation along with the Ownership Documentation. A check will be made payable to the original owner.

If there is an additional owner listed with the property, they must also provide the Standard Documentation. A check will be made payable to both owners.

joint owners in front of farm stand

Minors

If the original owner or co-owner is a minor, the custodian will need to send the Standard Documentation and the Ownership Documentation along with the minor's birth certificate. A check will be made payable to the minor in care of the custodian.

Power of Attorney

If the original owner has someone appointed as their power of attorney (POA), the POA should provide the Standard Documentation and Ownership Documentation, along with the POA paperwork. A check will be made payable to the original owner in care of the POA.

Deceased Owners

If the original owner is deceased, you will need to provide the Standard Documentation and the Ownership Documentation. Additional documentation required is dependent on which payment option is selected: either to pay the estate of the original owner or split the funds between each heir.

Estate claim (pay the estate of the original owner)

Any claim with a value of $10,000 or more will be required to use this option. Additional documentation needed:

  • Certified death certificate of the original owner
  • Certified letters of testamentary or administration listing who is the executor
  • Federal tax identification number (FEIN) of the estate—this can be requested from the IRS

A check will be made payable to the estate care of the administrator or executor.

Heir claim (split the funds between each heir)

Additional documentation needed:

  • Certified death certificate of the original owner
  • Probated will of the original owner—if the owner did not have a will, we will need a copy of the obituary to document how many heirs there may have been
  • Certified birth certificate of each heir—each heir will have to complete his or her own claim

A check will be made payable to each heir for their portion once each heir's claim is approved.

Business Owners

You will need to send the Standard Documentation and the Ownership Documentation. Since each claim is unique, the staff of the unclaimed property division will determine the evidence appropriate for your claim.

Common examples

Listed below are the three most-common circumstances:

Business claim

The business is still in existence and is making the claim. The check will be made payable in the business name.In addition to the standard and ownership documentation, the following documentation is needed:

  • Signed cover letter on company letterhead
  • Proof of federal identification number (FEIN) for the business—this is in lieu of the owner/claimant’s social security number
  • Claimant’s business card or copy of business identification
  • Proof of authorization from the company regarding who can complete the claim form

Dissolved business claim

The business has been closed/dissolved. The owner of the business is making the claim and the check will be made payable to the owner(s). In addition to the standard and ownership documentation, the following documentation is needed:

  • Proof that the business has been closed (dissolution documents)
  • Proof of business ownership documentation
  • Proof of federal identification number (FEIN) for the business

Sold business claim

The business has been sold. The original owner or the new owner is making the claim. The check will be made payable to either the original or new owner(s) depending on the contract or sale agreement. In addition to the standard and ownership documentation, the following documentation is needed:

  • Contract or agreement when the business was sold
  • Documentation that the claimant was one of the parties on the contract or agreement
  • Once we determine who the legal owner is and if that owner is, a person or another company will determine what other, if any, documentation we will need

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Unclaimed Property Division—Claims

(866) 370-9429

Mailing Address

Unclaimed Property Division
P.O. Box 190693

Nashville, TN  37219-0693