Texas holds over $7 billion in unclaimed property — and what makes the Lone Star State unique is what's in that pile. Beyond the standard bank accounts and insurance proceeds, Texas holds a substantial volume of mineral rights and oil and gas royalties that simply don't exist in most other state programs.
If you've lived, worked, or had family own land in Texas, this guide covers exactly how to search the Texas Comptroller's database and file a claim.
Texas Unclaimed Property Program
Texas unclaimed property is managed by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. The official search portal is ClaimItTexas.org — this is the only legitimate state-run search site. Texas reports approximately $750 million in new unclaimed property every year and returns several hundred million to rightful owners annually.
Key numbers: $7B+ in holdings • ~750M added annually • ClaimItTexas.org is the official portal • No deadline to claim
What Property Texas Holds
Mineral Rights and Oil Royalties
This is Texas's defining category. If your family owned land in Texas that sat over oil or gas reserves, royalty payments may have accumulated in your name for years. Mineral interest accounts can run into tens of thousands of dollars for landowners in the Permian Basin, Eagle Ford Shale, or other producing regions. Search under your name and any deceased relatives who owned Texas land.
Bank Accounts
Standard checking, savings, and CD accounts go dormant after 3 years of inactivity. Texas has absorbed accounts from dozens of banks that have merged or failed over the decades — including many regional Texas banks that no longer exist.
Insurance Proceeds
Life insurance payouts and annuities — particularly common given Texas's large older population. Beneficiaries often don't know a policy exists, especially for policies purchased decades ago.
Wages and Commissions
Uncashed paychecks, commission checks, and expense reimbursements from Texas employers. Common for oil and gas field workers, agricultural workers, and anyone who changed jobs or moved.
Utility Deposits
Security deposits from Texas electric utilities and gas companies. Texas deregulated its electricity market in 2002, and many accounts from the transition period were never reconciled.
Texas is just one of 55+ sources we search
FindersKeepers scans ClaimItTexas.org alongside federal programs, all 50 states, and pension databases — one scan, no manual searching.
Run Your Free Scan →How to Search ClaimItTexas.org
- Go to ClaimItTexas.org — the official Texas Comptroller portal. Don't use third-party unclaimed money sites that claim to search Texas; use the official source.
- Enter your first and last name. Use your full legal name. Texas's search also supports business name searches — search both if applicable.
- Try variations. Middle names, initials, and common misspellings of your last name. Oil and gas royalty records in particular may have name discrepancies from old land records.
- Search deceased relatives' names. Mineral rights can pass through multiple generations. If a grandparent owned Texas land, their name could still be in the database.
- Review results carefully. Results show the holder (the company that remitted), the reported property type, and the last known owner address. Old addresses are normal — that doesn't mean it's not yours.
- Note the property ID for any potential matches — you'll need it when filing.
How to File a Texas Claim
Texas allows fully online claims with no notarization required for amounts under $100. For larger amounts, documentation requirements vary by property type. The Comptroller typically processes standard claims within 90 days.
- Click "Claim It" on any matching property at ClaimItTexas.org. You'll be prompted to create a Texas.gov account or log in.
- Complete the claim form. Provide your Social Security number, current address, and contact information. Texas uses this to verify identity against state records.
- Upload supporting documents. For personal claims: a government-issued photo ID and one proof of address (utility bill, bank statement). For mineral rights claims, you may also need to provide proof of land ownership or heirship.
- Submit and track your claim. Texas sends email updates on claim status. You can also log in to your Texas.gov account to check progress.
- Receive payment. Texas pays claims by check mailed to your address on file, or via direct deposit if you opt in during the claim process.
Mineral rights tip: If you're claiming mineral interest royalties, the process is more complex. You may need to provide title documentation, affidavits of heirship, or probate records. Consider consulting a Texas attorney who handles mineral rights if the amounts are substantial.
Texas-Specific Tips
Search Family Land History
Many Texans don't realize that mineral rights were often severed from surface rights decades ago — meaning your family might have retained subsurface mineral rights even after selling land. If your family has roots in Texas oil country, do a thorough search under every family member's name going back two or three generations.
Check Old Business Names
If you or a family member operated a business in Texas, search under the business name as well. Vendor payments, insurance refunds, and utility deposits are often held under the business entity name.
Don't Pay a Recovery Company
Texas law limits the fees that recovery services can charge to reclaim unclaimed property. ClaimItTexas.org is free. If a company contacts you offering to recover your Texas unclaimed money for a large percentage fee, you can claim it yourself for free through the official portal.