Delaware
Statutory term: Escheat / Unclaimed Property
Overview
Search for Unclaimed Property
This program provides a public search portal where you can look up unclaimed property.
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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 | 5 | Checking, savings, and other deposit accounts |
| Wages/payroll | 5 | Unclaimed wages, payroll, or salary |
| Insurance proceeds | 5 | Life insurance, annuity proceeds |
| Securities | 3 | Stocks, dividends; bearer bonds and OID bonds 3 years after maturity/call date |
| Utility deposits | 5 | Utility refunds and deposits |
| Safe deposit boxes | 5 | After lease/rental period expires |
| Traveler's checks | 15 | 15-year dormancy period |
| Interest on debt | 5 | Interest on debt of a business association |
| Money orders | 5 | After issuance |
Delaware is uniquely significant in unclaimed property due to its status as the incorporation state for over 1.9 million entities, including 68% of Fortune 500 companies. Under Delaware law, if a holder is incorporated in Delaware and the owner's last known address is unknown, the property defaults to Delaware -- generating over $550M annually (about 7% of the state's budget). Delaware maintains its own independent escheat statute rather than adopting any version of the Uniform Act. The state is among the most aggressive enforcers of unclaimed property compliance, conducting frequent audits of incorporated entities. Over $1.7 billion was returned to owners in the last four years ($155M in FY2024 alone). Delaware's VDA (Voluntary Disclosure Agreement) program allows holders to report past-due property with penalty/interest waivers. Reporting deadline: March 1 for most corporations.
Finder / Helper Restrictions
Restriction Level: Strict
Fee Cap: $1,000 or 10%, whichever is less — Under 12 Del. C. section 1187, total fees and costs for a finder agreement may not exceed $1,000 or 10% of the value of the property recovered, whichever is LESS. This is one of the most restrictive fee caps in the nation, making finder services economically unviable for most claims.
Waiting Period: 24 months — An agreement to locate, deliver, recover, or assist in recovery of unclaimed property is void and unenforceable if entered into during the period beginning on the date the property was distributable to the owner and ending 24 months after payment or delivery to the State Escheator (12 Del. C. section 1187).
Solicitation Rules: Delaware's extremely restrictive fee cap ($1,000 or 10%, whichever is less) effectively discourages finder services. The State Escheator and the owner may assert that an agreement is invalid on grounds other than unconscionable compensation.