Access Taunton Unclaimed Money
Taunton residents can search for unclaimed money held by the Massachusetts Unclaimed Property Division using the state's free online portal. Massachusetts holds over $3 billion in dormant financial assets from bank accounts, old checks, insurance proceeds, and other sources, and a search of the state database takes only a few minutes with no cost at all.
Taunton Overview
How to Search Unclaimed Money in Taunton
The official state search portal is at FindMassMoney.gov. Enter your name and the database checks all property reported by holders statewide. No login or payment needed. Results come back right away and you can look up names for family members too.
Go to the claim search page and type in your first and last name. Matches will show the property type and the name of the original holder, such as a bank or insurer. Some claim amounts are visible in the results; others only show once you start filing. A match with your name is always worth pursuing.
Taunton is Bristol County's county seat and one of southeastern Massachusetts's larger cities. Residents who have held accounts at area banks, worked at local businesses for many years, or had rental or utility deposits in the past may find property in the state's database. Companies that close, merge, or relocate are common sources of unclaimed funds since they are often unable to reach former customers or account holders after the change.
The state's search tips page recommends trying name variations. Run your name with and without a middle initial. Try maiden names. Try former business names. Old Taunton addresses can also bring up results, so search any address you have used in the past, not just your current one.
On average, one in ten Massachusetts residents has unclaimed property. The average returned claim is between $1,250 and $2,080. You won't know what's out there until you look.
The Taunton city portal is a useful starting point for local government services, records, and public information tied to the city.
Visit Taunton-MA.gov for city department contacts, the City Clerk's office, and local document services.
Taunton Local Resources
The City of Taunton's official website is at Taunton-MA.gov. The City Clerk's office handles vital records, public records requests, and city documents. Birth certificates, death records, and marriage records for Taunton are on file with the Clerk. These documents frequently come up when filing unclaimed property claims, especially for deceased relatives.
If you need to claim property belonging to someone who has passed away, the Division will ask for a death certificate. If that person died in Taunton, the City Clerk is the right office to contact. You will also need to show legal authority to act for the estate, which typically comes from a probate court through a will or letters of administration.
Property records for Taunton are managed at the Northern Bristol County Registry of Deeds, which is conveniently located right in Taunton at 11 Court Street, Taunton, MA 02780. The phone number is 508-822-0502. You can also fax the office at 508-880-4975 or email at registry@tauntondeeds.com. The Registry's website is at TauntonDeeds.com.
The Register is Barry J. Amaral. The Northern District serves Taunton and surrounding communities including Attleboro, Raynham, Dighton, Easton, and other nearby towns. Online records at the Registry go all the way back to April 1735, which is Book 24 in the index. All Land Court documents are available online, and all recorded land plans are searchable as well. This makes the Registry one of the more complete digital land record systems in the state.
Deed records can be useful when pursuing a claim tied to a property transaction. Escrow balances, title refunds, and real estate related payments sometimes end up in the state's unclaimed fund. A search at the Registry can confirm ownership and help you document your connection to a prior address or transaction.
How to File a Claim
Once you find a match, you file online through the same portal. The state's page on how to complete a claim covers the process step by step. You don't need to mail anything in most cases. The Division handles everything electronically unless it needs original documents for a complex claim.
You'll need to show who you are. A driver's license or state ID and your Social Security number are the basics. You may also need documents that connect you specifically to the property, such as a bank statement from the original institution or an old lease at the address on file. If the property is high value or ownership is unclear, the Division may ask for more.
Claiming for a deceased relative takes extra steps. A death certificate is required. The Division also needs proof of legal standing, such as a will, letters of administration from a probate court, or a court order naming you executor or administrator. Once you submit, the Division will specify anything additional it needs based on the claim.
Around a third of all claims go through without any additional requests. Others prompt a follow-up request for documents. The average processing time is about 180 days. You can check your claim status online throughout. There is no need to call unless something is taking much longer than expected.
There is no filing deadline. Massachusetts law gives you permanent right to claim property that belongs to you. The state holds it until you come forward. But claiming sooner means getting your money sooner.
Types of Unclaimed Property
Most people associate unclaimed property with old bank accounts, and those are certainly common. But the state holds many other types. Any Taunton resident who has had financial accounts, insurance policies, or utility services over the years may have something in the system.
Checking and savings accounts, certificates of deposit, uncashed payroll and dividend checks, insurance policy proceeds, rental and utility deposits, stock and mutual fund shares, and abandoned safe deposit box contents all end up in the state's fund. Refund checks from healthcare providers, retailers, and government programs also get reported. Taunton's size and its role as a regional center in Bristol County means residents have a wide range of sources that might show up in a search.
Under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 200A, holders must report dormant property to the state after a dormancy period. For most accounts and checks, that period is three years of inactivity. Before reporting, holders are required to attempt to notify the owner. Once the state holds the funds, the owner retains the right to claim them at any time. The Division acts as a permanent custodian, not a beneficiary.
Even if you have moved away from Taunton, property tied to a prior Taunton address is still searchable and claimable. The database does not expire. Search old addresses along with your current one for the most complete results.
Massachusetts Unclaimed Property Law
The legal framework for all of this is MGL Chapter 200A, the Unclaimed Property Act. It defines what counts as unclaimed property, how long before holders must report, and how the state manages and returns property to rightful owners.
Section 3 lists the covered property types. Section 5 sets the dormancy periods. Section 7 spells out holder obligations, including the notification requirement before remitting property to the state.
Section 9A governs how the Division reviews and evaluates claims. Section 13 addresses payment of approved claims. The law is written to protect owners, not to benefit the state. No time limit applies to your right to claim.
The Unclaimed Property Division is part of the Office of the State Treasurer. It operates out of One Ashburton Place, 12th Floor, Boston, MA 02108. Phone: (617) 367-0400. Toll-free: 888-344-6277. Program details are at Mass.gov. The general FAQ and claims FAQ cover the most common questions for Taunton and all other Massachusetts residents.
If you've lived or worked in other states, run a check at MissingMoney.com. It pulls results from multiple state databases at once and may find property tied to an out-of-state address you had at some point.
Use the state's search interface at FindMassMoney.gov to look up any name, including past Taunton addresses and former legal names.
Bristol County Unclaimed Money
Taunton is in Bristol County. Visit the county page for Registry of Deeds info and more local resources.
Nearby Massachusetts Cities
These nearby cities each have their own unclaimed money resources page.