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Unclaimed Property in Georgia Basics

Locate GA unclaimed property for your business

By Emmet McMahan
Unclaimed property in Georgia basics define unclaimed property as property that has not been claimed for a specified period of time, known as the abandonment period. Financial institutions and other businesses routinely report unclaimed property to the state of Georgia and are generally required to turn it over to the state once the abandonment period expires.

The state is required by federal law to administer Georgia state unclaimed property once the abandonment period has expired. Georgia has state laws that specify the procedures for locating the owners of unclaimed property that is in its custody. There are generally three types of information sources for unclaimed property in Georgia:
  1. The state government. The official site of abandoned property for Georgia maintains the state’s property database, and other government departments may offer basic information on unclaimed property.
  2. Third parties. Businesses and other private organizations may provide free information on unclaimed property, in addition to selling unclaimed property services in Georgia.
  3. Local jurisdictions. Generally, each county and city in Georgia has specific procedures for locating owners of unclaimed property before the abandonment period expires.

 

Find state agencies that deal with abandoned property in Georgia

The Georgia State Treasurer provides a FAQ of basic questions on unclaimed property in Georgia. The United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Georgia specifies the procedure for recovering unclaimed funds in a bankruptcy court.
Try: The Georgia Department of Revenue provides the official answers to basic questions on unclaimed property in Georgia. The Georgia Department of Banking & Finance offers information on finding unclaimed property from financial institutions.

Learn about unclaimed property in Georgia from private sources

There are many businesses that provide searches of GA abandoned property. While these companies may charge a fee for these services, they often provide free information about unclaimed property in Georgia.
Try: Unclaimed Money Search provides specific information on the value of unclaimed property in Georgia. The Georgia Retail Association has basic information on unclaimed property that is specific to Georgia.

Look for state of Georgia unclaimed property in local jurisdictions

Universities, cities and counties frequently hold unclaimed property temporarily. The property will eventually be turned over to the state, reclaimed, auctioned off or otherwise disposed of.
Try: The City of Atlanta provides its policy for unclaimed property auctions in Atlanta. Gwinnett County maintains a current list of unclaimed refunds due to residents of that county.

 

  • Unclaimed property in Georgia is administered by the state as a result of the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act. This act was last revised in 1995 and specifically deals with unclaimed property that is in the custody of businesses. These funds frequently can be located in databases that contain the property of more than one state.

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