ATLANTA, GA - Georgia's Senate Bill 403 took effect on July 1, 2026, bringing the most significant modernization of the state's unclaimed money program in years. Signed into law by Governor Brian Kemp in May after passing both chambers of the General Assembly without a single opposing vote, the law shifts Georgia from a passive "search and claim" model toward a proactive system designed to return money to rightful owners, in some cases automatically. The State of Georgia currently holds approximately $3.3 billion in unclaimed money.

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What's changing

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A proactive "exact match" program

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For the first time, the State of Georgia is directed to proactively match its unclaimed money records against state tax records to identify rightful owners. The program introduces:

• Automatic identification of owners whose identity can be verified through state records, rather than waiting for owners to find the payments themselves.
• Automatic payments for eligible payments valued up to $500, issued without the owner filing a claim, where the individual's identity is verified and they are the sole owner.
• Modernized payment options, allowing the state to issue claim payments electronically as well as by check.

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What this means in practice

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Hundreds of thousands of Georgians may receive payments for smaller amounts without taking any action at all. Note that automatic payments apply first toward any outstanding state tax liabilities, with the remainder paid to the owner.

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Claims of $500 or more are not automated. Owners of larger amounts, where a substantial share of the state's $3.3 billion resides, must still file a claim and complete a more extensive verification process, documenting their identity and ownership before funds are released. Reclaim.org facilitates this filing process online, helping claimants assemble the required documentation and navigate verification from start to finish.

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Simpler claims for heirs and families

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The law significantly eases the process for families recovering payments that belonged to a deceased loved one:

• For unclaimed money totaling less than $15,000, qualifying heirs no longer need to obtain a probate court order.
• Instead, heirs (a surviving spouse, child, parent, or sibling) may submit a signed affidavit, provided all heirs agree on the distribution, applicable debts have been settled, and no probate case is already pending.
• Previously, even modest inheritances could require a full probate proceeding, a barrier that led many families to abandon valid claims.

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New time limits on claims

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Georgia has also introduced deadlines that make timely action more important than before:

• Claims for payments valued under $10 become void if filed more than five years after the funds were remitted to the state.
• Any claim filed more than 25 years after the funds were remitted to the state becomes void, with the payments permanently transferring to the state.

These provisions mean unclaimed money in Georgia no longer waits indefinitely. Owners and heirs with older payments have a defined window in which to act.

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Clarifications on newer asset types

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Virtual currency

The law establishes clear rules for digital assets such as cryptocurrency. Virtual currency is presumed abandoned after a five-year period without owner activity, and holders are required to liquidate the assets before remitting them, so owners ultimately receive the cash value of their holdings.

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Protections for active owners

The law also clarifies that payments are not presumed abandoned when the owner has demonstrated recent interest or activity, such as electronically accessing an account or making changes to the account, reducing the risk that actively held assets are swept into the program in error.

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A rare unanimous reform

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Senate Bill 403 passed the Georgia Senate 50–0, the House of Representatives 158–0, and the Senate again 49–0 on final agreement, a unanimous outcome across every vote. The legislation was sponsored by Rep. Matt Reeves (R-Duluth) and Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick (R-Marietta) and drew support across party lines as a consumer-protection measure. Georgia returned approximately $114.9 million in unclaimed money during its most recent reporting year; lawmakers designed SB 403 to accelerate that pace.

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Frequently asked (at a glance)

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**Will I automatically get my money now?

• Only in some cases. Automatic payments apply to amounts up to $500 where the state can verify your identity through its records and you are the sole owner. Claims of $500 or more require filing and a more extensive verification of identity and ownership.**

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**Is there now a deadline to file?

• Yes, in certain cases. Claims under $10 are void five years after remittance, and any claim becomes void 25 years after remittance. Older payments should be addressed promptly.**

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**Does the new law cover inherited payments?

• Yes. Heirs claiming less than $15,000 may use a simplified affidavit process instead of obtaining a probate court order, provided all heirs agree and other conditions are met.**

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**Why might my claim take longer?

• Higher-value payments, securities, payments with multiple owners, and estate claims involve additional documentation and review.**

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How Georgians can prepare now

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Residents & heirs

• Search periodically for your name, including maiden names and prior addresses, especially if you have moved, changed banks, or changed names in recent years.
• If a loved one has passed away, review whether payments in their name may now qualify for the simplified affidavit process.
• Act on older payments promptly, as the new time limits mean some claims can permanently expire.

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