Maricopa County Unclaimed Money
Maricopa County residents can search for unclaimed money through the Arizona Department of Revenue at no cost. The county itself does not run an unclaimed property program. All lost funds from bank accounts, insurance policies, and uncashed checks go to the state. With over four million people living in Maricopa County, the odds are good that many locals have money waiting to be claimed. The search takes just a few steps online through the official state portal.
Maricopa County Quick Facts
How to Search Maricopa County Unclaimed Money
Finding unclaimed money in Maricopa County starts with a trip to missingmoney.com. This is the official state portal that connects to the Arizona Department of Revenue database. Type in your first and last name, then select Arizona from the dropdown menu. The search runs fast. Results appear right away if there is a match. You can also try maiden names, nicknames, and old business names to make sure you catch everything linked to your identity.
The site does not show dollar amounts until you file a claim. This is a privacy rule that Arizona put in place to cut down on fraud. You will see the name of the company that reported the money and the type of property. That information is enough to help you figure out if the match belongs to you or someone else with a similar name. Once you spot your property, click on it to start the claim process.
Maricopa County is home to Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, and many other large cities. Millions of financial transactions happen here every year. When people move, pass away, or forget about old accounts, that money eventually becomes unclaimed. The state steps in to hold the funds until the rightful owner comes forward. You have 35 years to file your claim after the property gets reported.
Maricopa County Treasurer and Unclaimed Property
The Maricopa County Treasurer handles property taxes, not unclaimed money. Many people think the county office is where you go to look for lost funds. That is not correct. The treasurer collects tax payments and manages excess proceeds from foreclosure sales. Regular unclaimed property like bank accounts and uncashed checks goes to the state.
There is one exception worth knowing about. When a property sells at a tax lien auction for more than what was owed, the extra money is called excess proceeds. The county holds these funds for a set period under ARS 33-812. If you were the former owner of a foreclosed property in Maricopa County, you may have money waiting. Contact the county treasurer to ask about this type of claim. It requires a court application and is different from the standard state unclaimed property process.
The Maricopa County Treasurer office is at 301 W. Jefferson St., Suite 100 in Phoenix. You can call (602) 506-8511 with questions about tax liens and excess proceeds. Their website has forms and instructions for the process. But for regular unclaimed money from banks, insurance companies, or employers, always use the state ADOR portal instead.
Types of Unclaimed Money in Maricopa County
Maricopa County residents lose track of many types of financial assets. Bank accounts are the most common. When you stop using an account and the bank cannot reach you, the money goes dormant. After three years with no activity, the funds transfer to the state. This happens with checking accounts, savings accounts, and CDs. Money orders follow the same timeline.
Uncashed checks are another big category. Payroll checks become unclaimed after just one year. If you left a job and never picked up your last check, it may be sitting in the state database now. Dividend checks, refund checks, and vendor payments all end up there too. Even utility deposits that companies forgot to return can become unclaimed property.
Life insurance adds up fast. When someone dies and the beneficiary cannot be found, the insurance company reports those funds to the state. Insurance proceeds, annuity payments, and matured policies all qualify. Securities like stocks and bonds become unclaimed when dividend payments bounce back or when the company loses contact with the shareholder. Safe deposit box contents get reported too, though Arizona may auction some items after two years.
Gift cards are exempt from the unclaimed property law in Arizona. Prepaid cards and store credits do not get reported to the state.
Filing Unclaimed Money Claims in Maricopa County
Once you find your property on missingmoney.com, you need to file a claim to get it back. Arizona uses four different claim forms based on your situation. Form 600A is for original owners claiming their own funds. Form 600B is for heirs claiming on behalf of someone who died. Form 600C handles business claims, and Form 600D covers agents acting on behalf of living owners. All forms are free to download at azdor.gov/forms/unclaimed-property-forms.
Every claim needs proof of identity. A clear copy of your driver's license, passport, or state ID will work. You also need proof of ownership. This means a document that ties you to the address where the property was reported. Utility bills, tax returns, bank statements, and lease agreements are all good choices. Send as much proof as you can with your first submission to speed up the process.
Heir claims require more paperwork. You need a certified death certificate, birth certificates showing your relationship to the deceased, and any will or trust documents. If a court appointed a Personal Representative for the estate, include Letters of Office that are certified within the past 60 days. Large estates over $75,000 must go through court administration before heirs can claim the funds.
Avoiding Unclaimed Money Scams in Maricopa County
Scammers target Maricopa County residents because of the large population. They send letters, emails, and text messages claiming you have money to collect. Then they ask for a fee or your bank account number. This is fraud. The state never charges to search or file claims. ADOR will never ask for your credit card details or banking information over the phone.
Watch for these warning signs when someone contacts you about unclaimed money:
- Requests for payment before you can claim your funds
- Phone calls asking for your Social Security number
- Letters that list the exact dollar amount of your property
- Contact by text message, fax, or postcard
- Pressure to act immediately or lose the money
Real letters from Arizona do not include how much your property is worth. That information stays private. If you get a suspicious call, hang up and dial the official ADOR number at (602) 364-0380 to verify. Report fraud attempts to the Arizona Attorney General at azag.gov/complaints/consumer and to the Federal Trade Commission.
Claim Processing Times for Maricopa County
Standard claims take about 90 days to process. ADOR reviews your documents and verifies your identity before approving payment. Stock and mutual fund claims can take up to 120 days because the state needs to liquidate the shares first. You should receive an email acknowledgment within 14 business days of mailing your claim.
Complex cases take longer. If multiple heirs are claiming the same property, expect delays while ADOR sorts out who gets what. Missing documents also slow things down. The best way to speed up your claim is to include everything you need the first time. Read the form instructions carefully and double check your paperwork before you send it.
After approval, payment arrives within 30 days. ADOR sends physical checks through the mail. There is no direct deposit option for unclaimed property payments. Make sure your address is current when you file so the check reaches you without problems.
Major Cities in Maricopa County
Maricopa County includes many of Arizona's largest cities. Residents of all these areas use the same state portal to search for unclaimed money. The county does not run separate programs for individual cities. Whether you live in Phoenix, Scottsdale, or a smaller suburb, your search starts at missingmoney.com.
Here are the major cities in Maricopa County with populations over 50,000:
Each city page has more details about local resources. But remember that the actual search and claim process is the same for everyone in Arizona. There are no city-level unclaimed property programs.
Contact Information for Maricopa County Claims
For unclaimed property questions, contact the Arizona Department of Revenue directly. Phone lines are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The Phoenix metro number is (602) 364-0380. You can also use the toll-free line at (877) 492-9957. Email questions go to UnclaimedProperty@azdor.gov.
If you want to drop off claim documents in person, visit the ADOR lobby at 1600 W. Monroe Street in Phoenix. Staff can answer questions and help you with your paperwork. Bring photo ID and any documents that prove your identity and ownership. Mail-in claims go to PO Box 29026, Phoenix, AZ 85038-9026.
Note: The Maricopa County Treasurer at (602) 506-8511 handles only tax liens and excess proceeds, not standard unclaimed property.
Nearby Arizona Counties
If you have lived in other parts of Arizona, search those counties too. Unclaimed property reports to the state under your last known address. A move from Pinal County to Maricopa County means you should check both areas.