# Unclaimed Oil and Gas Royalties in Louisiana

> How to find and claim unclaimed oil and gas royalties in Louisiana: the official search site, dormancy period, claim proof, heir rules and finder rules.

- URL: https://www.buckheadenergy.com/unclaimed-mineral-royalties/louisiana
- Last updated: 2026-11-02
- Publisher: Buckhead Energy (https://www.buckheadenergy.com/)
- Format: full-content Markdown twin of the page (same content as the HTML; site navigation and footer removed)

Breadcrumb: [Home](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/) › [Unclaimed Mineral Royalties](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/unclaimed-mineral-royalties) › Louisiana

Quick answer

Unclaimed oil and gas royalties in Louisiana are held by the Louisiana Department of the Treasury — Unclaimed Property (State Treasurer); search its official site, unclaimedproperty.la.gov, under every name the royalties may have been paid to. Louisiana presumes unpaid mineral proceeds abandoned after 2 years (La. R.S. 9:154(A)(14)), and the holder must then report it to the state.

[Search unclaimedproperty.la.gov](https://unclaimedproperty.la.gov/app/claim-search)

## Where to search in Louisiana

Louisiana's unclaimed property program is run by the State Treasurer. Owners search and claim on the Treasurer's unclaimed property site, or can ask the office to run a search by phone or mail.

Source: [Louisiana Department of the Treasury — Unclaimed Property (State Treasurer) (unclaimedproperty.la.gov)](https://unclaimedproperty.la.gov/app/claim-search)

## When unpaid royalties are presumed abandoned

Louisiana has a mineral-specific period, and it is short: mineral proceeds are presumed abandoned two years after they become payable or distributable.

**Dormancy period:** 2 years

**Statute:** La. R.S. 9:154(A)(14)

**Mineral-specific rule:** Yes

Source: [La. R.S. 9:154(A)(14)](https://legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=106699)

## How operators report unclaimed royalties

Louisiana holder reports are filed before November 1 each year and cover the twelve months before July 1. No separate oil-and-gas reporting date was found in the statute.

**Report due:** Before November 1

**Covers property held as of:** Covers the twelve months preceding July 1

Source: [Official source](https://legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=106717)

## How to claim and what proof you need

Every Louisiana claim needs a copy of a driver's license or other picture ID and proof of Social Security number, plus proof of the reported address or other link to the holder. Claims of $5,000 or more require a notarized claim form, and processing can take up to 90 days.

**How to file:** Search online and file a claim, or ask the office to search by phone or mail; claims of $5,000 or more need a notarized claim form.

**Proof required:** Copy of driver's license or other picture ID; proof of Social Security number (required with every claim); proof of the reported (previous) address; sometimes proof of employment or account relationship with the holder.

Source: [Official claim instructions](https://unclaimedproperty.la.gov/app/faq-claim)

## Claiming for a deceased owner

Legal heirs of a deceased owner may claim the property, but the Treasury requires court-recognized estate documents to prove heirship.

**Documents:** Court-recognized estate documents proving heirship.

Whether an estate must be opened is a legal question for a qualified attorney in that state.

Source: [Official source](https://unclaimedproperty.la.gov/app/faq-claim)

## Fees and finder services

Louisiana's law lets an owner use a fiduciary agent to locate or recover property, and limits fiduciary agents to Louisiana-licensed attorneys, certified public accountants and financial advisors. Their compensation is capped at 10% of the claim value, and agreements signed before 24 months after the property reaches the state are void. For mineral proceeds, any fee paid in minerals, production payments or overriding or compensating royalties is void.

**Finder-fee limit:** Fiduciary agents, which the law limits to Louisiana-licensed attorneys, certified public accountants and financial advisors (La. R.S. 9:153(10)): compensation capped at 10% of the total claim value (paid on a notarized payment request filed with the claim); agreements made from the presumed-abandoned date until 24 months after delivery to the state are void; for mineral proceeds, a fee in underlying minerals, production payments, overriding or compensating royalties is void

**Finder-fee statute:** La. R.S. 9:153(10), 9:177

Sources: [Official source](https://legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=106764) · [La. R.S. 9:153 (definition of fiduciary agent)](https://legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=106698)

## Frequently asked questions

### Where do I search for unclaimed oil and gas royalties in Louisiana?

Louisiana's unclaimed property program is run by the State Treasurer. Owners search and claim on the Treasurer's unclaimed property site, or can ask the office to run a search by phone or mail. Search under every name the royalties may have been paid to, including maiden names and deceased relatives.

### How long before unpaid royalties are reported to the state in Louisiana?

Louisiana has a mineral-specific period, and it is short: mineral proceeds are presumed abandoned two years after they become payable or distributable.

### What do I need to claim unclaimed royalties in Louisiana?

Every Louisiana claim needs a copy of a driver's license or other picture ID and proof of Social Security number, plus proof of the reported address or other link to the holder. Claims of $5,000 or more require a notarized claim form, and processing can take up to 90 days.

### Can I claim a deceased relative's royalties in Louisiana?

Legal heirs of a deceased owner may claim the property, but the Treasury requires court-recognized estate documents to prove heirship. This is general information, not legal advice.

### What rules apply to finder services for unclaimed royalties in Louisiana?

Louisiana's law lets an owner use a fiduciary agent to locate or recover property, and limits fiduciary agents to Louisiana-licensed attorneys, certified public accountants and financial advisors. Their compensation is capped at 10% of the claim value, and agreements signed before 24 months after the property reaches the state are void. For mineral proceeds, any fee paid in minerals, production payments or overriding or compensating royalties is void.

Educational information only, not legal or tax advice; consult a qualified attorney about your situation. Facts are from the state's unclaimed-property office and the state code, checked Nov 2, 2026. Related: [unclaimed royalties in every state](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/unclaimed-mineral-royalties) · [suspended royalties](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/suspended-royalties-guide) · [find your payor](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/find-your-payor)

## About Buckhead Energy
Buckhead Energy is a direct buyer, not a broker — we purchase mineral and royalty interests with our own capital. Buckhead Energy buys mineral and royalty interests across all 50 states and has completed acquisitions in 33 states. Buckhead Energy has been buying mineral and royalty interests since 2006. Buckhead Energy holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. Buckhead provides a free written offer. Buckhead Energy typically provides an offer within 24–48 hours. Closings typically take 30–45 days, subject to title review and clearance. Buckhead Energy's written offers stay open for 14 days.

**Sell mineral rights:** https://www.buckheadenergy.com/sell
**Operator directory:** https://www.buckheadenergy.com/operators