Finding Unclaimed
Mineral Rights

Search Unclaimed Property Records for Oil and Gas Royalty Payments

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Mineral Royalties & Unclaimed Property

When a mineral owner cannot be paid for a period of 1-5 years, the operator can escheat (turn over) the funds to the state, where they will become Unclaimed Property. There are millions of dollars of unclaimed royalties just waiting for their rightful owner to file a claim. You can file a claim on unclaimed royalties (also called production payments) in your name or the names of those from whom you have inherited property. To find unclaimed royalties, we recommend searching the following states:

1. National Database

We recommend searching the national unclaimed property database, MissingMoney.com. Not all states participate, though.

2. State Where Minerals are Located

Search for unclaimed royalties in the state where the mineral rights are located.

3. State Where the Mineral Owner Resides

Check the unclaimed property records in the state where the mineral owner resides (or their last known address).

4. State Where the Operator is Located (or Incorporated)

Search for unclaimed property in the state where the oil and gas operator is located (or incorporated).

4. Delaware

Always check for unclaimed royalties in Delaware, where many companies are incorporated. Delaware does not participate in the national database, MissingMoney.com, so you will have to check separately..

Where to Find Unclaimed Royalties and Production Payments

We recommend searching for unclaimed royalties in the national database, the state where the minerals are located, the state where you reside, the state where the operator's headquarters are located, and Delaware (because many companies are incorporated in Delaware). The following table contains links where you can search for unclaimed royalties in each of the top oil and gas producing states.

State	Dormancy Period	Link to Search Unclaimed Funds
National	N/A	Missing Money National Database
Alabama	3 Years	Alabama State Treasury
Alaska	3 Years	Alaska Department of Revenue, Treasury Division
Arkansas	3 Years	Arkansas Office of Auditor of State
California	3 Years	California State Controller's Office
Colorado	5 Years	Colorado State Treasurer's Office
Delaware	5 Years	Delaware Department of Finance
Florida	5 Years	Florida Department of Financial Services
Kansas	5 Years	Kansas State Treasurer's Office
Louisiana	2 Years	Louisiana State Treasurer's Office
Mississippi	5 Years	Mississippi Office of the State Treasurer
Montana	5 Years	Montana Department of Revenue
New Mexico	5 Years	Taxation & Revenue Department
North Dakota	3 Year	North Dakota Department of Trust Lands
Ohio	1 Years	Ohio Department of Commerce
Oklahoma	5 Years	Oklahoma State Treasurer's Office
Pennsylvania	3 Years	Pennsylvania Treasury Department
South Dakota	3 Years	South Dakota Office of the State Treasurer
Texas	3 Years	Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Utah	3 Years	Utah State Treasurer's Office
West Virginia	5 Years	West Virginia State Treasurer’s Office
Wyoming	3 Years	Wyoming Office of the State Treasurer

How Royalties End Up as Unclaimed Property

Oil and gas production payments and royalties end up in unclaimed property for a variety of reasons. Usually, it is because the operator cannot locate or otherwise disburse funds to the royalty owner. Here are some common reasons royalties are escheated to the state as unclaimed property:

Cannot locate mineral owner
Outdated address
Mineral owner passed away
Division orders were never signed
Title issue (either a defect or cloud in the title)
Pending lawsuit
And more

Unclaimed Oil and Gas Royalty Examples

Each state has its own method of displaying unclaimed properties. Some list only the name and address of the person, while others give additional information such as the payor, type of property, and dollar amount.

Often, when searching for mineral rights, you have to be familiar with oil and gas companies as they may be the only indicator that a specific unclaimed property is an oil or gas production payment.

These examples will help you identify which properties are related to oil and gas royalties and production payments.

Who Can Claim Unclaimed Royalties?

You can claim unclaimed property of all types if you are the rightful owner of the property or if you have inherited property from the rightful owner. The state will require evidence that you are who you say you are and that you have the right to claim the property. If you are claiming property from someone you inherited property from, you may have to show evidence of inheritance or complete an Affidavit of Heirship (AOH).

States are actively trying to avoid identity theft and fraud, so the burden of proof can be high.

Unclaimed property can be a great way to discover mineral rights that have been "lost" over the years. When mineral rights are not producing, they can easily be overlooked when one owner dies, and the ownership is transferred to the heirs. Unclaimed property is a great way to locate mineral rights that you (or your family) were previously unaware of.

Mineral Rights Value

What are your mineral rights worth?

Mineral rights are typically valued as a multiple of monthly revenue. Unless the well or wells are very new or about to be plugged, the rule of thumb is 3-5 years of revenue. Whether the value is closer to the 3-year mark or the 5-year mark will depend on a variety of factors, such as location, production volume, commodity prices, lease terms, operator, and likelihood for future drilling.

Non-producing mineral rights can be valued by multiplying the number of net mineral acres (NMA) that you own by the going lease rate, which is often the lease bonus.

The best way to determine the value of your mineral rights is to request a quote. Requesting a quote does NOT obligate you to sell.

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Why Sell?

People sell mineral rights for a variety of reasons. As a mineral owner, you are fortunate to own an asset that can be quickly converted to cash. It is advisable to sell while you are still receiving royalties - after all, oil and gas are finite resources, and all well eventually run dry. It's better to sell early and maximize the value.

Why People Sell Their Minerals Rights:

I am one of the millions who lost their job due to the COVID-19 lockdown. I sold my minerals to get me through this terrible time. If my grandmother could see our current situation, she would understand. I'm so grateful to have had minerals to sell. Many people don't have this option.S Barnes

With the price of oil declining and operators practically giving gas away, I decided to sell before the bottom falls out.J. Cruz

I am on a fixed income, and the sale of these minerals will help me secure stable housing. My children will be okay if even if they don't inherit these minerals.S. Owens

My oil wells have been producing for decades and the reserves are almost depleted. Once the wells are plugged, the value will be significantly lower. I'd rather cash out now.R. Robertson

I inherited mineral rights, but don't want to be involved with fracking and fossil fuels. I would prefer to support renewable energy and do my part to reverse climate change.P. Harris

Finding UnclaimedMineral Rights