Unclaimed Property

Frequently Asked Questions

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The questions and answers provided in this document are general.   For additional information, please refer to the information circulars in Information for Claimants and Information for Property Holders, and the Unclaimed Personal Property and Vested Property Act and Regulation, or contact Tax and Revenue Administration (TRA).

IMPORTANT NOTICE:
We have upgraded our process to allow for online submission of holder reports and claims. References to paper forms in this document should be disregarded in favour of links to the new online process.  Further updates to this document will be implemented shortly.

Index

General Information FAQs

Reporting by Holders FAQs

Claims FAQs

For more information, contact Tax and Revenue Administration (TRA).

General Information FAQs

What is unclaimed personal property?

Unclaimed personal property is property on which the owner has taken no action (e.g., no additions to an investment account or update of the mailing address) for an extended period of time and/or did not respond to the holder’s attempts to contact the owner.  Depending on the type, property must be dormant for one to 15 years before it can be declared unclaimed.    For a list of properties and the amount of time they must remain inactive, please refer to Appendix A of Information Circular UP-2, Property Holders.

What does the Government of Alberta do to find unclaimed property owners?

On behalf of the Government of Alberta, Alberta Finance, Tax and Revenue Administration (TRA), maintains an up-to-date online registry of unclaimed property that is searchable free of charge.  Annual advertisements inform the public of the program’s existence and how to access it.

How do I search for any unclaimed property that may belong to me or a family member?

To check the Alberta registry, click on "Search for Assets" in the left navigation menu. This will take you to a website called MissingMoney.com.  From here you can search the Alberta registry and also collectively search over 40 other state and provincial registries throughout North America.  You can also search other jurisdictions individually by clicking on the link to National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA).

I searched for property using my full name, but didn't get any results. Are there specific search criteria?

Try searching by your first initial, nickname or any other name you have previously used (e.g., maiden name).  Also, check the website on a regular basis as more property is added to the database as it becomes unclaimed.  For more information, visit the MissingMoney.com search tips.

What if someone offers to help me locate unclaimed property?

There is often a fee charged for unclaimed property search services.  You can Search for Assets on our website, or other websites that offer this service free of charge.  For a list of other jurisdictions that offer this service free, visit the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA) website.  If you feel that you are owed money by a business or government agency, contact them directly.

You may choose to accept the fee-for-service assistance of a person or agency to locate your property, but taking the time to search on your own may be worthwhile.  If you do purchase the services of a property locator, make sure you get the arrangement in writing.  The locator fee in Alberta cannot be greater than 10 per cent of the value of the property.

Can heirs collect unclaimed property?

Yes.  If they can prove they are the legal heirs entitled to the property, they can make a claim for return of the property.

What is tangible and intangible property?

Tangible property is physical property, such as jewellery, coins, collectables or furniture.

Intangible property is an interest that is held.  Generally, this can be financial, such as a stock or bonds, or it can be an uncashed cheque.

What is the difference between unclaimed personal property and vested property?

Unclaimed personal property is any asset that has not had owner activity for some time.  The length of time the property must remain inactive to be considered unclaimed depends on the type of asset.  Timelines can be one, three, five, seven or 15 years.  For a comprehensive list, refer to Section 6 of the Unclaimed Personal Property and Vested Property Regulation.

Vested property is generally property that was not disposed of when a corporation, society or cooperative was dissolved and has been claimed by the Crown (Government of Alberta).   It can also come from an estate with no known heirs. 

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Reporting by Holders FAQs

We have property that was unclaimed before the legislation took effect.  Do we still have to report it?

The official period of abandonment does not start until September 1, 2008.  If the property is still on your book of accounts as of September 1, 2008, and no contact can be made with the owner during the abandonment period, then you must file a Holder Summary Form (AT4952) and a Holder Report Form (AT4953) after the abandonment period.  (Links to paper forms have been removed; you may now Submit Property online.)  If you have any further questions, please contact us.

In the past we have been required to send unclaimed deposit balances to the Bank of Canada.  Should we continue to do this?

Yes.  Section 3 of the Unclaimed Personal Property and Vested Property Act (UPPVPA) states that this Act does not apply to unclaimed personal property or vested property in Alberta disposed of, or otherwise dealt with, under other applicable Alberta or federal legislation.  Any unclaimed property not managed under other legislation is to be reported under the UPPVPA.

I transferred property to the Government of Alberta in error.  What should I do?

If you believe you transferred property to the Minister of Finance in error, submit a UP Claim Form – Creditor (AT4951) to TRA, explaining the reason for the error.  (Links to paper forms have been removed; you may now Search for Assets online.)

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Claims FAQs

How do I make a claim for property?  

Owners, their heirs or legal representatives or a previously dissolved corporation can make a claim, using Claim Form – Owner (AT4950).   (Links to paper forms have been removed; you may now Search for Assets online.)

TRA will undertake to process the claim within 120 days.  If the information provided meets the validation requirements, the property will be returned to the claimant.

What if my claim is not accepted?

You may file an objection to the decision TRA makes regarding your claim.  Complete a Notice of Objection form (AT4954) and mail it to the address on the back of the form.

Can I make a claim as a creditor?

Creditors may be entitled to make a claim on property held by the Minister.  If you feel you are entitled to property where you are not the legal owner, fill out Claim Form - Creditor (AT4951) and provide enough information to support your claim.  (Links to paper forms have been removed; you may now Search for Assets online.)  For more information, please see section 49 of the Unclaimed Personal Property and Vested Property Act or contact TRA.

What information do I need to confirm my claim?

Your claim should provide enough information to match the holder’s identifying information.  All personal information, such as social insurance number (SIN), driver’s license number (DL) and previous mailing address, is confidential and used only to reunite property with the owner.

Will I be charged a fee for making a claim?

The Government of Alberta does not impose a charge for the retrieval of unclaimed property.  However, you may be required to pay a fee for the administration costs of the property (e.g., storage costs of property, holder fees) from the proceeds of sale of the property.

When will I receive my property?

Once your claim has been validated and all administration costs paid, you can expect to receive the property within 30 days.

Who do I contact for more information?

Contact Tax and Revenue Administration.

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Page last updated:  January 3, 2012