Hilo Unclaimed Money Search
Hilo residents can search for unclaimed money held by the State of Hawaii through the Department of Budget and Finance Unclaimed Property Program. The state holds funds from dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks, insurance proceeds, utility deposits, and other property that companies could not return to the owner. Searches are free and open to anyone. If you find your name, you can file a claim at no cost. The program covers all of Hawaii Island, including Hilo and the surrounding communities of Hawaii County.
Hilo Overview
Hilo Unclaimed Money Search Portal
The state runs one central search tool for all of Hawaii, including Hilo. Go to the Hawaii Unclaimed Property search portal and type your name in the search box. You can search by person name or business name. The system will pull up any accounts the state holds that match your name. No login is needed. The search is open to anyone at any time.
When you search, try a few name variations. If your last name was spelled wrong on an old bank account, the record might show up under a different spelling. Search your maiden name if it changed. Search with just your last name to see all results. For a business, try both the full legal name and any trade names the company used. The portal was redesigned in 2021 through a partnership with Tyler Technologies. You can read about the update at the Tyler Hawaii announcement page.
The state portal shows the property type, the amount or a general description, and the name of the holder that turned the funds in. You can start a claim right from the search results page.
The state also has a main program page at budget.hawaii.gov with links to forms, contact info, and rules for filing. Hilo residents on the Big Island can reach the program toll-free by calling 974-4000 and entering extension 61589. The main state office line is (808) 586-1589. Hours are Monday through Friday, 7:45 AM to 4:30 PM HST.
The state office is located at 250 S. Hotel Street, Room 304, in Honolulu. You can also reach the program by mail at P.O. Box 150, Honolulu, HI 96810. Most Hilo residents handle everything online or by phone, since the office is on Oahu.
The screenshot below shows the Hawaii Unclaimed Property main program page, which Hilo residents can use to start a claim or get program details.
The Hawaii Unclaimed Property Program page at budget.hawaii.gov gives Hilo residents a starting point for searching and filing claims.
The page has direct links to the search portal, claim forms, and contact information for the Unclaimed Property Program staff.
What Counts as Unclaimed Money in Hilo
Hilo residents may have unclaimed money from many sources. The most common types include dormant bank checking or savings accounts, uncashed payroll checks, insurance policy proceeds, utility deposits from old accounts, stock dividends, and the contents of safe deposit boxes that were abandoned. Mutual fund distributions, security deposits, and credit balances from retailers also get turned over to the state.
Each type of property has a different dormancy period before the holder must report it to the state. Wages that go uncollected become unclaimed after one year. Life insurance policy proceeds that mature or become due are reported after three years. Bank accounts go dormant after five years without any activity or contact from the owner. Certificates of deposit are held for seven years before the bank must turn them over. Traveler's checks have the longest period, at 15 years. Once the dormancy period passes, the holder sends the property to the state, and the state holds it until the owner comes forward to claim it.
There is no deadline to file a claim. The state holds your property indefinitely. One important exception involves small amounts: funds under $100 that were received by the state on or before June 30, 2016 are set to permanently escheat on July 1, 2026 under Act 184. If you think you might have a small older claim, search now rather than waiting.
The screenshot below shows the owner information page, which explains the claim process for Hilo and all Hawaii residents.
The owner information page at budget.hawaii.gov explains what types of property can be claimed and how the process works.
This page covers what documentation to gather and how to submit your claim for funds the state holds on your behalf.
How to Claim Hilo Unclaimed Money
Claiming unclaimed money in Hilo is free. The state does not charge a fee to file or process a claim. Once you find your name in the search results, click the claim link next to your property listing. You will fill out a form online or download a paper form to mail in. Claims under $50 are straightforward and typically need little documentation beyond your contact details and a copy of a government-issued photo ID.
Claims over $50 require notarization. You will need to sign the claim form in front of a notary and have the notary stamp or seal the document. Banks, credit unions, and UPS stores in Hilo often provide notary services. Some offer it free to account holders. Once your form is signed and notarized, you send it to the state along with any required supporting documents. The state reviews the claim and, if approved, sends you a check.
If you are filing on behalf of a deceased relative, you are filing as an heir. The state needs a certified copy of the death certificate and an Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property of Decedent, which is authorized under Hawaii Revised Statutes Sections 560:3-1201 and 560:3-1202. The affidavit lets an heir collect property without going through a full probate process, up to certain limits. If the estate went through probate, bring the letters testamentary instead.
Businesses filing a claim need to submit corporate documents showing who is authorized to act on behalf of the company, along with IRS Form W-9 for tax purposes. The owner information page has links to all forms and a checklist of what each claim type requires.
Note: If a finder service contacts you and offers to locate your property for a fee, the legal cap on their fee is 10 percent of the claimed amount under Section 523A-25 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes. You never have to use a finder service. The state search is free and so is filing directly.
Hawaii County Finance for Hilo Residents
Hilo is the county seat of Hawaii County. The Hawaii County Department of Finance is located at 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2103, in Hilo. You can reach the finance department at (808) 961-8234 or by email at finance@hawaiicounty.gov. More information about county financial services is available through the Hawaii County Department of Finance page.
The county finance department handles property tax billing, collections, and related financial services for Hawaii County. It does not manage the state unclaimed property program, which is a state function run out of Honolulu. However, Hilo residents sometimes have unclaimed tax refunds or credit balances through county accounts, and those would be handled separately by the county rather than the state program.
For real property tax matters in the Hilo and east Hawaii area, the Real Property Tax Division has an office at 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 4, in Hilo. The phone number is (808) 961-8201. You can find information about Hilo area real property taxes at the Hawaii County Real Property Tax Division page. Property-related tax records and assessments are separate from the state unclaimed money program.
The screenshot below is from the Hawaii County Department of Finance listing, which serves Hilo and the rest of the Big Island.
The Hawaii County Department of Finance listing provides contact details and office information for Hilo residents who need county financial services.
The county finance office in Hilo handles tax and financial services at the county level, while unclaimed property matters go to the state program in Honolulu.
Hawaii Unclaimed Money Law and Hilo
Hawaii's unclaimed property program is governed by Chapter 523A of the Hawaii Revised Statutes. This law sets the rules for how businesses must report and turn over property, how the state holds it, and how owners can file claims. You can also read the full statute text at Justia's Chapter 523A page.
The law covers all types of property held by banks, insurance companies, utilities, and other businesses in Hawaii. It applies equally to property in Hilo, on the rest of the Big Island, and across all the islands. Holders must make a good-faith effort to find the owner before turning property over to the state. They send a notice to the owner's last known address. If no one responds within the dormancy period, the property goes to the state.
The state then holds the property in trust for the owner. Anyone can claim it, including heirs of deceased owners. Finder fees are capped at 10 percent under Section 523A-25. The state does not earn interest on the owner's behalf; it simply holds the property until a valid claim is filed and approved.
The screenshot below shows the Justia page for Chapter 523A, which has the full law text.
The Justia Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 523A page has the full text of the unclaimed property law that governs claims for Hilo and all Hawaii residents.
Reading the statute text can help Hilo residents understand their rights as owners and the obligations that businesses have before turning property over to the state.
For dormant bank account questions specific to Hawaii financial institutions, the Division of Financial Institutions dormant account FAQ page answers common questions about when accounts become dormant and what happens to the funds.
The screenshot below shows the dormant account FAQ page from the Hawaii Division of Financial Institutions.
The dormant account FAQs page at cca.hawaii.gov explains when banks in Hawaii must report dormant accounts to the state program.
This resource is especially useful for Hilo residents who have old savings or checking accounts they haven't touched in several years and want to know if those funds may have been turned over.
Hawaii County Unclaimed Money
Hilo is the county seat of Hawaii County on the Big Island. All unclaimed property for Hilo residents goes through the state program, which covers the entire county. For more details on unclaimed money resources and county-level information for the Big Island, visit the Hawaii County unclaimed money page.
Nearby Cities
These cities are also in Hawaii and use the same state unclaimed property program to search and claim funds.