Yes — non-residents and non-citizens can absolutely claim unclaimed property held by US states. There is no citizenship or residency requirement to claim property that legally belongs to you. The money could come from wages earned while working in the US, bank accounts from a past stint as a student or worker, investments, or insurance policies.
Common Reasons Non-Residents Have US Unclaimed Property
- Bank accounts opened while studying or working in the US on a visa
- Final paycheques from a US employer that were returned as undeliverable
- Security deposits from US apartments
- Investment or brokerage accounts opened during a US stay
- US life insurance policies purchased by or for non-residents
- Tax refunds from the IRS or state tax authorities for years worked in the US
How to Search for US Unclaimed Property From Abroad
The search process is identical whether you're in Kansas or Kuala Lumpur — all the official databases are online:
- 1Go to MissingMoney.com — the official multi-state search portal (NAUPA partner). Enter your full name as it appeared on US documents.
- 2Also search individual state databases, particularly for states where you lived or worked. High-value states: California, New York, Texas, Florida, Illinois.
- 3Try name variations — if your name uses characters not standard in English (accents, etc.), try both versions.
Filing the Claim as a Non-Resident
The claim process works the same way, but you'll need to pay attention to a few specific areas:
Identity Verification
US states typically require a government-issued photo ID. For non-residents, a passport is universally accepted. If you previously had a US driver's licence or state ID, that may also be accepted.
For notarisation requirements (common for larger claims), non-residents should use:
- The nearest US Embassy or Consulate (they provide notary services)
- A local notary whose work is apostilled under the Hague Apostille Convention
Social Security Number or ITIN
Many state claim forms ask for a Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). If you had a SSN while working in the US, provide it — this significantly speeds up identity verification. If you never had one, the state will verify identity by other means (passport, address history, original account details).
Where to Receive the Payment
States generally issue payment by cheque (mailed) or bank transfer. For non-residents:
- Request a cheque sent to a trusted US address (friend, family, or a mail forwarding service) — this is the simplest option
- Some states can wire to an international account with SWIFT/IBAN details — ask the state's unclaimed property office directly
- Some states are beginning to use PayPal or other digital payment systems for smaller amounts
Tax Withholding for Non-Residents
Important: The state unclaimed property office may withhold US tax on interest or investment gains if you are a non-resident alien. The withholding rate depends on whether a tax treaty exists between the US and your country. You may be able to claim a refund of excess withholding by filing a US non-resident tax return (Form 1040-NR).
IRS Unclaimed Tax Refunds
Separately from state unclaimed property, if you worked in the US and may be owed a federal tax refund from the IRS, you can check and claim it through the IRS directly. There is a 3-year statute of limitations on claiming IRS refunds — after that, the IRS keeps the money. This is one case where acting quickly does matter.
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