Unclaimed Money
Canada

If you have found an account using our search tool that you think you might be entitled to the first thing to do is verify that it does in fact belong to you.  To make recovering the money easier, we provide you with instructions and customized forms.

How long it will take to get your money back depends on the complexity of the claim, but typically it takes 6-8 weeks.
 

Who is entitled to make a claim:

There are three situations in which you can make a claim:

• You are the rightful owner of the unclaimed account.
• You are an heir to an estate.
• You are an officer of a company or organization (existing or dissolved).

What do I need to make a claim?:

It will depend on which one of the above three situations applies for your claim.  Here are some general guidelines, but some claims may have other unusual or complicating aspects. 

In all cases you will be responsible for any legal fees incurred to provide the required documentation.
 

1. Original Account Owner:

Usually all that will be required is your signature as confirmation that you are the owner.

However, you may have to prove your entitlement by providing documentation such as:   

• an original bank passbook or bank statement  
• proof that you once resided at the address noted under "Account Information"  
• a change of name certificate

2. Heir To An Estate:

To prove your entitlement you will need to provide:

• your relationship to the deceased owner of the unclaimed balance
• legal documents proving that you are representing the estate, or are an heir to the deceased's estate.  For example, a notarially certified (or court) copy of the last will and testament, Letters of Probate, Letters of Administration or Power of Attorney.
• whether anyone else may have some entitlement to the balance in question
• documentation to prove that the deceased resided at the address on file (This may entail execution of a Solemn Declaration by the claimant and the issuance of a Bond of Indemnity)

3. Officer of An Organization:

To prove your entitlement you will need to provide:

• name of the organization with the unclaimed balance 
• status of the organization (e.g., active or dissolved corporation) documentation supporting this (i.e., Certificate of Good Standing or Dissolution from the appropriate crown) 
• legal documents certifying that you are representing the interests of the organization 
• whether another party may be entitled to the balance in question 

4. Additional Notes:

Certified Cheques and Money Orders:

Who can claim it depends.  If the person who wrote the cheque for a good/service was provided the good/service and gave the cheque to the payee then only the payee can claim it.  If the good/service was provided but the person paid for it by some other method, then the person can claim it and the payee has no claim.

A duly completed Solemn declaration and Bonds of Indemnity is required if you are unable to presents the original cheque or money order.

Name Changes:

For unclaimed balances involving individual or company names changes the legal documents that confirm the name changes are required.  For example, marriage certificate, documents from Consumers and Corporate Affairs that list the mergers and acquisitions of a company etc.