Delaware's escheat program takes custody of dormant financial property and holds it until the rightful owner claims it. Escheat means the legal transfer of unclaimed property to state custody, not state ownership. The program is governed by Title 12, Chapter 11 of the Delaware Code and run by the Department of Finance's Office of Unclaimed Property under the State Escheator, according to Delaware's Title 12, Chapter 11 text. That custody model lets owners and heirs reclaim money at any time.
Table of Contents
- What property ends up with Delaware?
- How long before property counts as abandoned?
- What must holders do before turning it over?
- How do you search and claim?
- Why do Delaware companies face special attention?
What property ends up with Delaware?
Banks, employers, insurers, and brokerages must turn over property after inactivity with no owner contact. Covered items include dormant accounts, uncashed payroll and vendor checks, insurance proceeds, wages, and safe-deposit contents.
The Delaware Secretary of State's VDA program FAQs list these holder types and property categories. A forgotten checking account, an uncashed final paycheck, and an untouched safe-deposit box can all follow the same path to state custody.
How long before property counts as abandoned?
Most Delaware property types go dormant after five years without owner contact. Shares of stock and related securities go dormant after three years without owner interest, while traveler's checks take 15 years.
The Eisen Delaware escheatment guide reports those dormancy periods. The difference matters for investors because shares move to the state faster than bank accounts.
What must holders do before turning it over?
Holders must try to reach the owner first. Before reporting, they must mail due-diligence notice 60-120 days before filing for property worth $50 or more, with no minimum for securities, to an address not known to be invalid.
General holders must file the annual report by March 1 for the prior calendar year, financial institutions by November 10, and life and non-life insurers by December 20, according to Sovos reporting research updated Aug. 28, 2026 in its state due-date tracker. A holder with a bad address on file cannot skip the letter if another valid address exists.
How do you search and claim?
Owners and heirs search the free state database at unclaimedproperty.delaware.gov. They file claims online at no charge, and the state keeps custody until the rightful owner claims.
The Delaware Department of State Owner's Claims page describes that free search-and-claim process. Gather account statements, old pay stubs, insurance papers, or proof of address before you start.
- Search the exact owner name plus prior addresses
- Match the holder name and amount
- File online and upload ID and ownership proof
- Track the claim until payment issues
Why do Delaware companies face special attention?
A business formed in Delaware faces Delaware jurisdiction when the owner's address is unknown. Past-due holders may enter the Secretary of State's Voluntary Disclosure Agreement program covering 10 report years plus dormancy to avoid audit.
Securities already sold after escheatment are generally recoverable only as cash proceeds. Holders that receive verified-report or VDA invitations face 30-day response and 180-day review deadlines or referral to audit, according to LegalClarity Delaware reporting published Apr. 4, 2026 in its Delaware claiming guide.