Key Resources for Arizona Property Search
- Arizona Department of Revenue: 1600 West Monroe Street, Phoenix, AZ 85007 (View on Google Maps)
- Phone: (602) 255-3381
- Search Unclaimed Property
- Claim Instructions
- State Land Maps
Before relying on any property or asset information, double-check details against Arizona’s official portals to confirm current status, ownership, and contact guidance.
Finding property records and unclaimed assets in Arizona requires using both statewide and county-level tools. The statewide program focuses on dormant financial assets, while county offices keep land and deed records. You can use Arizona Public Records as a hub to move between these resources.
Before you search, gather full legal names used on accounts, past mailing addresses, and any claim or reference numbers from letters or emails you received. For real estate history, you will ultimately need the county where the property sits and, if possible, a parcel number or legal description to use local tools.
Understanding Unclaimed Property and Real Property Records in Arizona
Arizona uses a split system for property-related records. The Arizona Department of Revenue administers the statewide Unclaimed Property program, which handles dormant financial assets such as old bank accounts, uncashed checks, securities, and items turned over from safe deposit boxes. These tools help reconnect people and businesses with money the state holds as custodian for the rightful owner.
By contrast, real property records such as deeds, mortgages, plats, and most parcel-level ownership histories are created and maintained by county offices, not by the state unclaimed property program. Statewide searches are useful for finding forgotten funds or liquidated proceeds, but they are not substitutes for county systems when you need chain-of-title research, boundary details, or certified land documents. Questions about how ownership rules affect your rights should be directed to a qualified legal or tax professional, not this guide.
Using the Official Arizona Department of Revenue Unclaimed Property Search Portal
The Arizona Department of Revenue Unclaimed Property Unit operates the primary statewide search portal for dormant financial assets. Through the department’s site you can search for unclaimed property held in your name or a business name. The database includes property reported to the state after a period of inactivity, typically following one to three years with no owner contact.
Search results can reflect a range of asset types supported by the program, including forgotten checking and savings accounts, uncashed checks, securities, and proceeds from safe deposit box contents after they are liquidated. The portal is designed for financial assets only; it does not display real estate ownership, deeds, or property tax records, which remain with county offices. The department also recognizes a separate authorized site, Missingmoney.com, that lists unclaimed property for Arizona and other states at no charge to search or claim.
Filing a Property Claim in Arizona with the Arizona Department of Revenue: Identity and Safety
After you locate property in your name, the next step is filing a claim with the Arizona Department of Revenue. The department generally requires a completed claim form plus proof that you are the rightful owner or authorized representative. Evidence often includes a clear copy of a government-issued photo ID or a notarized signature on the claim form, and documents showing a connection to the reported address or the business that originally held the funds.
For many claims, you will also be asked to provide identifying information such as a Social Security Number or an address match so the department can distinguish you from people with similar names. The program indicates that providing your Social Security Number is optional, but if too little information is available to confirm your identity, your claim could be delayed or denied. Specific dollar amounts and detailed property information are not released until a signed claim and supporting evidence are received.
There is no fee charged by the Arizona Department of Revenue to search or to file a claim. Official guidance on documentation and forms is available when you review claim filing guidance and related resources on the department’s site. A separate Owners FAQ section, available through the program’s pages, explains timelines, acceptable evidence, and who may claim on behalf of an estate, business, or trust.
Arizona also recognizes “heir finders” or asset locators—third parties who offer to help locate and recover unclaimed property. State guidance notes that these businesses must be registered to operate in Arizona and cannot charge more than a capped percentage of the recovered funds. Consumer protection materials emphasize that you do not need to pay a finder’s fee to claim money held by the state, and legitimate services typically collect their fee only after you receive your property.
Real Property Records in Arizona: Local Custodianship and Access
Real estate ownership in Arizona is documented locally, not through the statewide unclaimed property system. Deeds, mortgages, liens, subdivision plats, and most parcel assessment histories are created and stored by county offices. As a result, real estate records such as who holds title to a home, when a deed was recorded, or how a parcel boundary is described will not appear in Arizona Department of Revenue unclaimed property searches.
To research the history of a specific parcel or structure, you typically need to work with the county where that property is located. Counties maintain their own recording, assessor, and sometimes GIS tools, each with its own search options, date coverage, and policies for certified copies. State-level tools can sometimes help you locate proceeds from a sold or foreclosed property, but they do not replace local land records.
If your goal is to trace ownership, verify a legal description, or obtain official copies of deeds and related documents, you will need to identify the correct Arizona county and then use that county’s land records indexes, in-office terminals, or online portals. County systems are the sources of record for real property in Arizona, and any statewide tools should be treated as supplemental rather than primary for land research.
| County | Property Search |
|---|---|
| Maricopa County | View |
Government-Owned Real Estate: Public Land Records and Auctions
In addition to county-managed records, some property-related information in Arizona is handled at the state level for government-owned land. The Arizona State Land Department manages State Trust Land and offers both printed maps and online geographic tools that show where trust parcels and certain federal lands are located. Through the department’s Maps and GIS resources you can explore the parcel viewer and identify state-managed parcels that are distinct from privately held property.
When Arizona State Trust Land is leased or offered at auction, it is administered under specific statutes and policies that differ from typical residential real estate transactions. Properties are often offered “as-is,” and participation requires following the department’s procedures, which may include application steps and auction notices. These listings and maps are useful for understanding how public land is managed but should not be confused with county recording systems for private deeds and titles.
If you need assistance regarding maps, leases, or other questions about State Trust Land, the Arizona State Land Department provides contact information, public records request channels, and in-person kiosk details through its official pages. These resources complement, but do not replace, county-level land records or the Arizona Department of Revenue’s Unclaimed Property program for financial assets.
Identity Protection, Contacts, and Notices for Arizona Property Searches
- Arizona Department of Revenue: 1600 West Monroe Street, Phoenix, AZ 85007 (View on Google Maps)
- Phone: (602) 255-3381
Arizona’s Unclaimed Property resources emphasize privacy and fraud prevention. The Arizona Department of Revenue warns that it does not use text messages to notify people about unclaimed property, and that it will not release detailed information about specific property until a signed claim and evidence of ownership are received. Treat unsolicited messages that ask you to click links or share personal data with extreme caution, especially if they do not clearly originate from a state-operated site.
The Unclaimed Property Unit accepts general questions by email but advises against sending sensitive information such as your Social Security Number or home address in those messages. Confidential details about particular properties or reports are only discussed with the owner, authorized representatives, or the holder in accordance with state confidentiality rules. For case-specific questions, the department may ask you to call, mail documentation, or work through the official claim process rather than respond with details by email.
This guide is not a government website, cannot provide legal or tax advice, and cannot guarantee that any particular record exists or is up to date. Always confirm final decisions and interpretations directly with the Arizona Department of Revenue, the Arizona State Land Department, or the appropriate county office. If you have questions about your rights, responsibilities, or how property law applies to your situation, consult a qualified attorney or tax professional.
Why don't I see my house in the Arizona Department of Revenue unclaimed property search?
Real estate ownership, such as deeds and mortgages for your house, is recorded only at the county level in Arizona and never appears in state-level unclaimed property searches or financial asset tools.
How long does it take to receive unclaimed property from the Arizona Department of Revenue after I file a claim?
Most monetary claims are processed within about 90 days once your completed paperwork and evidence are received, while claims involving shares of stock or mutual funds can take up to roughly 120 days to complete.