LaCash Claim is Louisiana's official unclaimed property program
LaCash Claim is run by the Louisiana State Treasurer's office and holds money or property that belongs to you but has been turned over to the state. This includes forgotten bank accounts, uncashed checks, insurance payouts, utility deposits, and stock dividends. The state holds this money indefinitely — you do not lose the right to claim it, no matter how many years have passed.
The program is free to search and free to claim from. You search an online database, submit documentation to prove ownership, and the State Treasurer's office sends the money to you. No fees, no middlemen required, though third-party claim services do exist and charge a percentage if they locate property for you.
LaCash Claim covers property held by businesses, government agencies, and financial institutions across Louisiana. If you lived in Louisiana, worked there, had a bank account there, or owned property there, unclaimed funds from that state may be waiting for you.
Key Takeaways
- You can search the LaCash Claim database for free at lacashclaim.org using your name, and results show up when ready.
- Unclaimed property never expires — you can claim funds from decades ago with no time limit.
- The State Treasurer's office requires proof of ownership, usually a government ID and documentation showing your connection to the account or property.
- Processing takes four to eight weeks after the State Treasurer receives your complete claim package.
- You do not need to pay anyone to search or claim your property; services that charge a fee are optional.
How to search the LaCash Claim database
Go to lacashclaim.org and use the search tool on the homepage. Enter your first and last name, then select your search. The database returns results in seconds. Results show the type of property (bank account, insurance, utility deposit, etc.), the name of the holder (the bank or company that turned it over), and the amount if it is known.
Search results do not mean you automatically own the property — they mean the State Treasurer has property under that name. You will need to prove ownership when you file your claim. If you do not find anything under your own name, try searching under a former name, a spouse's name, or a business name if you owned one.
If you find property listed, write down the holder's name, the property type, and the amount. You will need this information when you submit your claim form.
What documents you need to claim your property
The State Treasurer requires proof of your identity and proof that the property belongs to you. A government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID) satisfies the identity requirement. For proof of ownership, what you need depends on the type of property.
For a bank account or checking account, bring a cancelled check, a bank statement with your name and account number, or a letter from the bank. For an insurance payout, bring the insurance policy, a letter from the insurance company, or a death certificate if you are claiming on behalf of a deceased person. For a utility deposit, bring a utility bill in your name or a letter from the utility company. For stock or dividends, bring a stock certificate, a brokerage statement, or a letter from the company.
If you are claiming property on behalf of a deceased person, you will also need a death certificate and proof that you are the heir or executor (such as a will, court order, or letter of testamentary). If you are claiming on behalf of a minor, bring proof of guardianship.
How to submit your claim to the State Treasurer
read the claim form from lacashclaim.org or request one by mail. The form asks for your name, address, phone number, the property holder's name, the type of property, and the amount. Attach copies (not originals) of your ID and your proof of ownership documents.
Mail your completed form and documents to the address listed on the form, which is the Louisiana State Treasurer's Unclaimed Property Division. Keep copies of everything you send. Do not send original documents — the office will not return them.
You can also submit your claim in person at the State Treasurer's office in Baton Rouge if you live nearby. Call ahead to confirm office hours and bring the same documents you would mail.
What happens after you submit your claim
The State Treasurer's office reviews your claim to confirm that the property exists in their records and that your documentation proves ownership. This review takes four to eight weeks. If your documents are incomplete or unclear, the office will contact you by phone or mail and ask for more information.
If your claim is approved, the State Treasurer issues a check or processes a direct deposit to your bank account if you provided banking information on the form. The check is mailed to the address you listed on your claim form.
If your claim is denied, the office sends you a letter explaining why. Common reasons include missing documentation, a name mismatch between your ID and the property record, or inability to verify that the property exists. You can resubmit a claim with additional documentation if you believe the denial was incorrect.
Unclaimed property from other states
If you are looking for unclaimed property from a state other than Louisiana, each state runs its own program. The National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA) maintains a list of state programs at unclaimed.org. You can search multiple states from that site, or go directly to each state's treasurer or comptroller office.
The process is similar across states: search the database, gather proof of ownership, and submit a claim form. Some states process claims faster than others, and some require notarized documents. Check the specific state's website for their requirements before you submit.
Using a third-party claim service
Private companies offer to search for unclaimed property on your behalf and file your claim. They charge a percentage of the amount recovered — typically 10 to 30 percent — if they locate property for you. You pay nothing if they find nothing.
These services are optional. You can search and claim for free on your own. A third-party service may be worth considering if you have a very common name, if you lived in multiple states, or if you do not have time to gather documents and file yourself. Before you hire a service, confirm that they are registered with the state and ask for their fee in writing.
Be cautious of services that may provide results or charge an upfront fee. The State Treasurer's office does not endorse any private claim service, and you should never pay money before a service locates property for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to claim my property?
There is no time limit. Unclaimed property held by the state never expires, and you can claim it decades after it was turned over. The State Treasurer holds the property indefinitely on your behalf.
What if I find property but I do not remember the account?
You still need to prove ownership with documentation. If you cannot find the original account paperwork, contact the holder (the bank, insurance company, or utility) directly and ask for a statement or letter confirming the account was in your name. That letter counts as proof of ownership.
Can I claim property that belonged to a family member who passed away?
Yes, but you need to prove you are the heir or executor. Bring a death certificate, a will or court order naming you as executor, and your own ID. If there is no will, some states accept a letter from the probate court or a family tree showing you are the closest heir.
What if the amount shown in the database is different from what I remember?
The amount listed may not include interest or may be an estimate. Submit your claim with the documentation you have. The State Treasurer will verify the exact amount owed when they process your claim.
Can I check on my claim after I submit it?
Contact the Louisiana State Treasurer's Unclaimed Property Division by phone or mail with your claim reference number if you received one. Processing times vary, but you should expect to hear back within four to eight weeks. Do not resubmit the same claim multiple times, as this can delay processing.