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South Carolina · Unclaimed property

Unclaimed money in South Carolina: how to find and claim it

South Carolina holds over $1 billion in unclaimed money. Searching and claiming are free.

Checked against official sources: Oct 21, 2026

Search South Carolina's official list of unclaimed property by name.

Search South Carolina's list (free, official) →

Scam warning: the state never charges a fee to claim, and the FTC warns that state programs don't text you alerts or links. How to spot a scam

Over $1 billionwaiting to be claimed
Over $52 millionreturned in a record-breaking year (announced August 27, 2026)
Freeto search and claim
MissingMoney.comalso searches South Carolina's list

How to claim in South Carolina

  1. Search your name (and family members and your business) on the State Treasurer's free search site.

  2. Start a claim online for each property that is yours. You will get an email listing the documents your claim needs.

  3. Sign the claim form and gather a copy of your photo ID and your Social Security number, plus anything else the email asks for.

  4. Upload your documents through the secure upload link, or mail them to the Unclaimed Property Program in Columbia.

  5. Track your claim with the online claim status search.

Through Palmetto Payback, the Treasurer matches some unclaimed property to owners and mails a check with no paperwork. You get a letter first and a check about 4 to 6 weeks later; the check is good for 90 days, but you can still file a normal claim if it expires.

Official instructions for claims

Documents you may need

  • A completed and signed claim form
  • A copy of your photo ID
  • Your Social Security number
  • Any extra proof listed on the claim form attachment emailed to you (for example, proof you owned the property)

Money owed to a relative who died

The estate's personal representative can claim by sending a copy of the death certificate, a currently dated probate order, and proof the person who died owned the property. If no estate was opened, or it has been closed, call the program at 803-737-4771 to discuss your options.

Contact the program

Program
South Carolina Office of the State Treasurer, Unclaimed Property Program
Phone
803-737-4771
Claims by mail
South Carolina State Treasurer, Unclaimed Property Program, 1200 Senate Street, Suite 214, Wade Hampton Building, Columbia, SC 29201
Processing time
The state says claims take four to twelve weeks depending on complexity and how complete your documents are, and many are processed within a few weeks.

Finder fees in South Carolina

A finder may not charge more than 15% of the value returned to you. Any agreement to pay someone to recover property is unenforceable if it is made within 24 months after the property was turned over to the state.

Law: S.C. Code Ann. § 27-18-360

Watch out: The program is free; if someone offers to recover your property for a fee, the state asks you to call it at 803-737-4771 before you sign anything.

Good to know

  • There is no deadline: the rightful owner can always claim the money.
  • Palmetto Payback checks expire after 90 days, but the money can still be claimed afterward through the standard process.

Also check outside South Carolina

Search every other state where you lived or worked. Some money, like old savings bonds and IRS refunds, is held by federal agencies.

MissingMoney.com and NAUPA state unclaimed property search

Money that businesses could not return to you and had to hand over to a state, such as old bank accounts and insurance policies. USA.gov says state governments hold most unclaimed money.

Official site

U.S. savings bonds (TreasuryDirect)

Old paper or electronic U.S. savings bonds that were never cashed, including bonds that have matured and stopped earning interest (EE and I bonds earn interest for up to 30 years), plus lost, stolen or destroyed bonds.

Official site

IRS refunds from tax returns never filed (3-year rule)

Tax refunds owed to people who never filed a federal tax return for a year, often because they earned little and were not required to file. The IRS says taxpayers usually have three years to file and claim a refund; after that the money becomes the property of the U.S. Treasury.

Official site

Questions about South Carolina

How do I find unclaimed money in South Carolina?

Search the official database run by the South Carolina Office of the State Treasurer, Unclaimed Property Program. Searching is free. Search every name you have used and every address where you lived in South Carolina.

Does it cost anything to claim money in South Carolina?

No. The state does not charge a fee to claim. A finder may not charge more than 15% of the value returned to you. Any agreement to pay someone to recover property is unenforceable if it is made within 24 months after the property was turned over to the state.

How do I claim money for a relative who died in South Carolina?

The estate's personal representative can claim by sending a copy of the death certificate, a currently dated probate order, and proof the person who died owned the property. If no estate was opened, or it has been closed, call the program at 803-737-4771 to discuss your options.

How long does a claim take in South Carolina?

The state says claims take four to twelve weeks depending on complexity and how complete your documents are, and many are processed within a few weeks.

Sources

Last checked: Oct 21, 2026.

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