Annapolis, Maryland – Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman and Governor Wes Moore are urging Maryland residents to search for unclaimed property as the state marked Unclaimed Property Day on Monday, February 1, 2026. The annual observance promotes awareness of Maryland’s free service that has returned lost or forgotten assets to rightful owners for more than 50 years.
Unclaimed property includes uncashed checks, insurance proceeds, forgotten stock dividends, dormant bank accounts, and similar assets. Maryland law requires businesses to report funds to the state when accounts show no activity for three years. The Comptroller’s Office then holds the property indefinitely until claimed by the owner or heirs.
Lierman, recently elected Senior Vice President of the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators, highlighted recent improvements. “Our Unclaimed Property Division works every day to reunite Marylanders with money and other property that belongs to them,” she said. “In October, we launched a new system to eliminate red tape and make claiming property easier than ever. Returning these funds is our duty, and we are proud of the work we are doing to make government work better for our fellow Marylanders.”
The new Kelmar Abandoned Property System (KAPS), implemented in October 2025, enables users to submit documentation electronically, track claim status, and access property details around the clock. Since launch, the Office of the Comptroller has processed 18,273 claims totaling $33 million in payouts.
Governor Moore issued a proclamation designating February 1, 2026, as Unclaimed Property Day and encouraged residents to use the service. “Helping Marylanders reunite with their unclaimed property is part of our work to be more accountable in government,” he said. “The process to reclaim property is free of charge—I encourage all Marylanders to check for unclaimed property and to take advantage of our new reclaiming system, which is easier to use than ever before.”
Nationally, one in seven people has unclaimed property, and states returned $4.2 billion collectively last year. In Maryland, the Comptroller’s Office returned $121 million during Fiscal Year 2025.
The service remains free, with no fees charged to claimants. Residents can search the database and file claims directly through the Maryland Comptroller’s website at www.MarylandComptroller.gov by navigating to the Unclaimed Property page. The online portal allows individuals to enter names, business names, or other identifiers to check for matches.
Unclaimed property often stems from life changes such as address updates, deaths, or overlooked accounts, making periodic searches advisable. The program serves individuals, families, and heirs across Maryland, including Southern Maryland counties where residents may have dormant accounts from local banks, insurers, or employers.
The Comptroller’s Office maintains the property in a secure fund, investing earnings to benefit the General Fund while preserving principal for rightful owners. No expiration exists for claims, ensuring assets remain available indefinitely.
This year’s Unclaimed Property Day coincides with ongoing promotion of KAPS to increase claim filings and reduce administrative barriers. Officials emphasize that searching takes minutes and costs nothing, offering potential financial relief to households statewide.
