Search online for unclaimed court money accounts. Each account has a last claim date.
Quick facts
- Who holds it
- The Court Funds Office
- Unclaimed after
- 10 years with no activity
- Awards for under-18s
- Unclaimed after the 19th birthday
- Cut-off
- 30 years
- Cost to search
- Free
What it is
This could be money paid to or awarded by a court (for example to settle a court case) to you or to someone whose estate you’re entitled to claim.
An account is classed as unclaimed if either there’s been no activity on the account for over 10 years and it’s not been possible to contact anyone entitled to the money, or money was deposited in the account because it was not possible to contact anyone entitled to it.
Money awarded to you as a child
Money will also be held in an unclaimed account if all the following apply:
- it was awarded by a court for you to claim when you turned 18
- the Court Funds Office contacted you about it
- you did not claim it before your 19th birthday
How to search
Each account has a ‘last claim date’. You must make a claim before the last claim date to get the money.
To find money from company shares which were unclaimed after a company takeover (also known as a ‘dissenting shareholder entitlement’), search under the names of either the shareholder or the companies involved.
If you need help, contact the Court Funds Office. Telephone: 0300 0200 199.
Other unclaimed money
See also unclaimed estates and finding a lost pension.
Common questions
What is unclaimed court money?
Money paid to or awarded by a civil court in England and Wales that nobody has claimed, held by the Court Funds Office.
How far back can I claim?
You cannot claim from an account that has been unclaimed for 30 years or more.
I was awarded money as a child. Can I still get it?
If you did not claim it before your 19th birthday it is held as unclaimed, and you can still claim before the last claim date.
Is there a deadline?
Yes. Each account has a last claim date.