How to Find Unclaimed Money in Canada: Bank of Canada Database and Provincial Programmes

The Bank of Canada maintains a free, searchable database of over two million unclaimed balances — accounts that sat dormant for a decade before being transferred to the federal government for safekeeping. If your name is in that database, the money is still yours. You just need to know where to look.

The Bank of Canada’s search covers all federally regulated financial institutions — the major banks, trust companies, and loan companies. But it does not cover credit unions, insurance companies, or provincially regulated institutions. For those, you need the provincial programmes. This guide walks through both.

We cover the Bank of Canada search step by step, then explain how provincial programmes work and how to find your province’s specific database. By the end, you’ll know exactly where to look — and what to do the moment you find a match.

What Counts as Unclaimed Money in Canada?

At the federal level, the Bank of Canada holds unclaimed balances — money from bank accounts that have been inactive for 10 or more years and where the financial institution has been unable to reach the account holder.

• Chequing and savings accounts — any balance in a dormant account at a federally regulated bank
• Term deposits and GICs — matured guaranteed investment certificates never redeemed
• Foreign currency accounts — balances held in US dollars or other currencies
• Uncashed cheques — issued by banks but never cashed (dividends, interest payments)
• Trust accounts — held by federally regulated trust companies

Provincial programmes cover a broader range, including life insurance proceeds, mutual fund units, pension plan entitlements, and other financial assets held by provincially regulated institutions.

How to Search the Bank of Canada Database (Step by Step)

The Bank of Canada search is the fastest and most important place to start. Here is exactly how to use it:

1. Go to bankofcanada.ca/unclaimed-balances — no account or registration required
2. Enter the name of the account holder — search your full legal name, and repeat with any previous names (maiden name, former legal name)
3. Review the results — each result shows the institution that held the balance, the approximate period, and a contact reference
4. Click ‘How to Claim’ on any match — the Bank of Canada will provide the specific instructions and contact details for that institution
5. Repeat for family members — search for a deceased spouse or parent if you believe you may be an heir to an unclaimed balance

💡 Important: The Bank of Canada does not hold the money directly. It holds a record of where the money is. When you find a match, you will be directed to contact the original financial institution to initiate the claim.

How to Search Provincial Unclaimed Property Programmes

Each province and territory manages its own unclaimed property programme for assets held by provincially regulated entities. Here are the key provincial resources:

• Ontario — the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) oversees unclaimed pension benefits; the Ministry of Finance handles other unclaimed property
• British Columbia — the BC Unclaimed Property Society (unclaimedpropertybc.ca) holds assets from provincially regulated institutions
• Alberta — Alberta Treasury Board and Finance administers unclaimed property
• Quebec — Revenu Québec administers a comprehensive unclaimed property programme covering insurance, mutual funds, and more (see below)
• Other provinces — search ‘[province name] unclaimed property’ to find the relevant government programme

As a general rule: always search the Bank of Canada database first, then your current province, then any province where you previously lived or worked.

Quebec: How to Search with Revenu Québec

Quebec residents (and former residents) should search Revenu Québec’s unclaimed property database in addition to the Bank of Canada. Quebec’s programme is one of the most comprehensive in the country — covering life insurance policies, group annuities, mutual fund units, and registered plan balances that have been abandoned for three or more years.

To search: go to revenuquebec.ca, navigate to ‘Unclaimed Property’, and search by name or by social insurance number (SIN). Results are immediate and searching is free.

⚠️ Quebec has a shorter dormancy period than the federal programme — just 3 years of inactivity before assets are transferred to Revenu Québec. This means more recent accounts may already be in their database.

What Happens After You Find Your Name?

Once you identify a match, the claim process begins. You will need to verify your identity, prove your connection to the account, and submit a formal claim. The next page covers every step: which documents to prepare, how to submit, and how long the process takes.

Frequently Asked Questions

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This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or legal advice. Always verify information directly with the Bank of Canada, your provincial unclaimed property office, or a qualified professional before taking action.