Find Unclaimed Money in Lowell
Lowell residents have two ways to search for unclaimed money: the free Massachusetts state portal at FindMassMoney.gov covers all statewide unclaimed property, while Lowell also runs its own municipal program for uncashed city checks under state law, making the city one of the few in Massachusetts with a dedicated local unclaimed funds process worth checking separately. Both searches are free.
Lowell Overview
How to Search Unclaimed Money in Lowell
Start with FindMassMoney.gov, the official Massachusetts Treasury search tool. Enter your full name and review the results. Try variations including maiden names, middle names, and old last names. Lowell has a diverse population and many residents have names that appear in different forms across older records. Trying all versions improves your chances of finding a match.
The claim search page shows the property type, the holder who reported it, and often the amount. About one in ten Massachusetts residents has a record on file. The state has returned $787 million over the last five years. Average claims run between $1,250 and $2,080. Roughly one-third are approved automatically.
After checking the state portal, also look at Lowell's own municipal uncashed checks list described in the next section. These are two separate programs. A match on one does not mean you are covered by the other.
The FindMassMoney.gov portal is the main state tool for any Lowell unclaimed money search.
Check here first, then check the Lowell city treasurer's uncashed checks list separately.
Lowell Municipal Uncashed Checks Program
Lowell operates its own unclaimed funds process for uncashed city-issued checks under M.G.L. Chapter 200A, Section 9A. This law requires municipal treasurers to wait three years before treating an uncashed check as abandoned. After that waiting period, the city publishes a "Tailings (Uncashed Checks) List" for 60 days and advertises it in the Lowell Sun newspaper. You have one year from the advertisement date to claim the funds. After that year, unclaimed funds revert to the city.
The Lowell City Treasurer currently has active notice periods you should be aware of. The First Notice was advertised on May 12, 2025. You must claim by May 12, 2026. The Second Notice was advertised on June 12, 2025. You must claim by June 12, 2026. If you think you may have an uncashed check from the city, act before those deadlines. The full list is posted at lowellma.gov/353/UnclaimedUncashed-Checks.
To claim, review the published list, then complete an Indemnification Agreement and submit it with a photo ID and supporting documentation. You can mail or deliver the documents to 375 Merrimack Street, Room 30, Lowell, MA 01852. You can also email the treasurer at payonline@lowellma.gov with the subject line "Outstanding Check/Unclaimed Funds." Processing takes up to eight weeks. For questions, call 978-674-4222 and ask for Donna.
Lowell's official uncashed checks page lists active notice periods and explains the claim process in detail.
Check this page now if you have ever received a check from the city that may have gone uncashed or been lost in the mail.
Lowell City Treasurer
The Lowell City Treasurer is located at 375 Merrimack Street, Room 30, Lowell, MA 01852. Phone: 978-674-4222 (ask for Donna). Email: payonline@lowellma.gov. The treasurer's office handles city payments, manages city funds, and administers the uncashed checks program described above.
If you received a city check for a refund, a vendor payment, or any other city obligation and were never able to cash it, contact the treasurer's office directly. The process is separate from the state program and requires going through the city rather than the state Treasury. Keep the deadline in mind. Funds revert to the city after one year from the advertisement date.
Lowell Board of Assessors
The Lowell Board of Assessors is at City Hall, 375 Merrimack Street, Lowell, MA 01852. Phone: 978-674-4200. Fax: 978-970-4205. Chief Assessor: Susan A. LeMay, MAA. The office manages property valuations for all Lowell parcels including residential, commercial, and industrial properties.
Services include property assessments, abutter list generation, property valuation, and tax classification. Online tools include a GIS viewer and a full property database that you can search by address or parcel ID. The database shows assessment values, ownership records, and building characteristics. This data can help you verify past ownership ties to a Lowell property when you are tracing the source of an unclaimed fund.
The Lowell Assessors Department provides online property data and GIS tools for all Lowell parcels.
Property data from this office can help document your connection to a past address when you file a claim.
Middlesex North Registry of Deeds
Lowell is served by the Middlesex North Registry of Deeds at 360 Gorham Street, Lowell, MA 01852. Phone: 978-322-9000. Their records are online at masslandrecords.com/MiddlesexNorth. The registry records all deeds, mortgages, liens, and related documents for the North Middlesex district.
You can search registry records by name, address, or document type. Looking up past property transactions in Lowell can reveal old liens, paid-off mortgages, or estate transfers that may link to unclaimed escrow funds, title insurance refunds, or other financial instruments. It is free to search online, and records go back many decades.
How to File a State Claim
For state-held unclaimed money found on FindMassMoney.gov, you file online through the portal. The steps are laid out at findmassmoney.gov/app/claim/how-to-complete. You need a government-issued photo ID and proof of your current address. Most claims can be completed fully online without mailing anything in.
If you are claiming for a deceased relative, you also need a certified death certificate and proof of your legal connection, such as a will or letters of administration. The state processes claims in roughly 180 days. Simpler claims are often done faster. About a third are auto-approved. The claiming FAQ has answers to most common questions, and the general FAQ covers how the program works overall.
For Lowell's municipal uncashed checks program, the process is different. You work directly with the City Treasurer, not the state. See the Lowell City Treasurer section above for those steps.
Types of Unclaimed Property and the Law
Bank accounts are the most common source of unclaimed property statewide. Under M.G.L. Chapter 200A, Section 3, accounts inactive for three years get reported to the state. Insurance policy proceeds are covered under Section 5. Other types like dividends, utility deposits, and court settlements fall under Section 7A. Municipal checks are specifically covered by Section 9A, which is what governs Lowell's uncashed checks program.
Tangible items from abandoned safe deposit boxes are listed at findmassmoney.gov/app/tangible-property. The full text of Chapter 200A is at malegislature.gov. There is no deadline for state claims. The state holds property indefinitely, so you can file at any time.
The Massachusetts Unclaimed Property Division is at One Ashburton Place, 12th Floor, Boston, MA 02108. Phone: (617) 367-0400. Toll-free: 888-344-MASS (6277). The Division page and Mass.gov guide have more detail.
Middlesex County Unclaimed Money
Lowell is in Middlesex County. The county page has local Registry of Deeds information and more resources for your area.
Nearby Cities in Massachusetts
These cities are near Lowell. Each has its own unclaimed money resources page.