North Dakota Unclaimed Money

Once a year, any business operating in the State of North Dakota is required to check its accounting records for dormant accounts, outstanding checks, credit balances, unclaimed securities, etc. Once the property is identified, the business owner needs to notify the property owner at the last-known address to give them an opportunity to recover the property. If the contact attempt is unsuccessful or the owner doesn't respond, the business owner must turn the property over to the Unclaimed Property Division. Annual reporting is required whether or not the business has any funds to remit.

"Property" in this case does not mean land, but consists of uncashed checks, unused bank accounts, and other property such as stocks and bonds that has not been claimed by the owner for a specified period of time (generally two to five years). In some cases the property was missed in the probate of an estate, or it may have simply been forgotten by the owner.

The division acts as custodian of these unclaimed funds from banks, insurance companies, hospitals, utilities, retailers, local governments, and other entities.