Arizona
Statutory term: Unclaimed Property
Overview
Search for Unclaimed Property
This program provides a public search portal where you can look up unclaimed property.
Search Now →Key Statistics
Dormancy Periods
The dormancy period is how long property must be inactive before it is considered unclaimed and reported to the state.
| Property Type | Years | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bank accounts | 3 | Demand, savings, or time deposits; 3 years from maturity or last indication of interest |
| Wages/payroll | 1 | Wages or other compensation for personal services; 1 year after payable |
| Insurance proceeds | 3 | Insurance company intangible personal property |
| Securities | 3 | Dividends, distributions, equity interests; 3 years from date prescribed for payment or last correspondence |
| Utility deposits | 3 | Utility refunds and deposits |
| Safe deposit boxes | 3 | 3 years after expiration of lease |
| Traveler's checks | 15 | A.R.S. § 44-302 |
| Money orders | 7 | Money orders or similar written instruments (not third-party bank checks) |
| Certificates of deposit | 3 | 3 years after maturity; automatically renewable CDs mature on initial maturity date unless owner consented to renewal |
| General property (default) | 3 | All other property presumed abandoned after 3 years |
Arizona uses a general 3-year dormancy period for most property types, shorter than the 5-year period used by many states. Wages have the shortest period at 1 year. The Revised Arizona Unclaimed Property Act (effective 2001) is codified in A.R.S. Title 44, Chapter 3. As of 2025, there was ongoing litigation questioning Arizona's handling of $2.8 billion in unclaimed property.
Finder / Helper Restrictions
Restriction Level: Moderate
Fee Cap: 20% (negotiable, capped) — Recent Arizona legislation requires that when a property locator initially communicates with a potential customer, the locator must disclose that the fee is negotiable and capped at 20%. The Department issues a separate check not to exceed 30% of total payment to the locator for the assigned portion, but the statutory cap is 20%. A.R.S. § 44-327.
Waiting Period: 2 years — Locators are only legally entitled to collect a fee if the property has been held by the Department of Revenue for over 2 years. A.R.S. § 44-327.
Licensing Required: Yes — To function as a locator or heir finder in Arizona, individuals must be a currently licensed private investigator under Arizona law. Locators must also register with the Arizona Department of Revenue.
Solicitation Rules: Locators must disclose during initial communication with a potential customer that any fee charged is negotiable and is capped at 20%. The Department requires signed contracts and official photo identification for both the locator and the claimant.