# Unclaimed Oil and Gas Royalties in Mississippi > How to find and claim unclaimed oil and gas royalties in Mississippi: the official search site, dormancy period, claim proof, heir rules and finder rules. - URL: https://www.buckheadenergy.com/unclaimed-mineral-royalties/mississippi - 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) › Mississippi Quick answer Unclaimed oil and gas royalties in Mississippi are held by the Office of the Mississippi State Treasurer — Unclaimed Property Division; search its official site, ms.findyourunclaimedproperty.com, under every name the royalties may have been paid to. Mississippi presumes unpaid property abandoned after 5 years (Miss. Code Ann. §§ 89-12-1 to 89-12-57 (Uniform Disposition of Unclaimed Property Act), catch-all for intangible property, as restated in the Treasurer's holder instructions), and the holder must then report it to the state. [Search ms.findyourunclaimedproperty.com](https://ms.findyourunclaimedproperty.com/app/claim-search) ## Where to search in Mississippi Mississippi's unclaimed property is held by the Unclaimed Property Division of the State Treasurer's Office in Jackson. Owners search by last name on the Treasury's unclaimed money search, which links to its claim portal. Source: [Office of the Mississippi State Treasurer — Unclaimed Property Division (ms.findyourunclaimedproperty.com)](https://ms.findyourunclaimedproperty.com/app/claim-search) ## When unpaid royalties are presumed abandoned No mineral-specific period was found in the Treasurer's materials. Its holder instructions say intangible property not otherwise covered, held in the ordinary course of business, is presumed abandoned after more than five years, and the Treasury describes a five-year dormancy requirement generally. **Dormancy period:** 5 years **Statute:** Miss. Code Ann. §§ 89-12-1 to 89-12-57 (Uniform Disposition of Unclaimed Property Act), catch-all for intangible property, as restated in the Treasurer's holder instructions **Mineral-specific rule:** No (general period) Source: [Miss. Code Ann. §§ 89-12-1 to 89-12-57 (Uniform Disposition of Unclaimed Property Act), catch-all for intangible property, as restated in the Treasurer's holder instructions](https://treasury.ms.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Holder-Reporting-Instructions.pdf) ## How operators report unclaimed royalties Mississippi is unusual: the Treasurer says holders must file every third year (2023, 2026, 2029 and so on), by November 1 of that year, as of the preceding June 30, though they may report any time items become five years dormant. Reports must be filed electronically in NAUPA format. **Report due:** No later than November 1 in report years, which occur every third year (2023, 2026, 2029...); holders may also report any time items reach five years dormant **Covers property held as of:** June 30 preceding Source: [Official source](https://treasury.ms.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Holder-Reporting-Instructions.pdf) ## How to claim and what proof you need Mississippi claimants provide a copy of photo ID and their Social Security card or another formal document showing the SSN. Ownership is usually confirmed by address or SSN, and old bills, tax returns or credit reports can prove a past address. **How to file:** Search by last name on the Treasury's unclaimed money search and file a claim online. **Proof required:** Individuals: copy of photo ID (driver's license, passport, military ID or other official card); copy of SSN card or a formal document showing the SSN (e.g., top of a tax return); name-change documents if applicable; proof of the reported address where SSN does not verify (old bills, tax returns, school records, credit reports). Source: [Official claim instructions](https://treasury.ms.gov/for-citizens/unclaimed-property/learn/) ## Claiming for a deceased owner For a deceased owner, Mississippi wants the death certificate, the filed will if any, or else an obituary or funeral program listing all heirs (or a notarized Affidavit of Death from each heir). If the estate is open the Treasury pays the estate through the executor; if closed, each legal heir files a separate claim for a share. **Documents:** Claimant photo ID and SSN; death certificate of the owner (and of any deceased heir); the owner's filed will, or if none an obituary or funeral program listing all heirs, or if none a notarized Affidavit of Death from each claiming heir; state whether the estate is open (paid to the estate c/o executor) or closed (split among legal heirs, each filing a separate claim). Whether an estate must be opened is a legal question for a qualified attorney in that state. Source: [Official source](https://treasury.ms.gov/for-citizens/unclaimed-property/learn/) ## Fees and finder services Anyone can file without a paid claim finder, and the Treasurer says claim finders may charge at most 10% for their services. **Finder-fee limit:** 10% (per the Treasurer) Source: [Official source](https://treasury.ms.gov/for-citizens/unclaimed-property/learn/) ## Frequently asked questions ### Where do I search for unclaimed oil and gas royalties in Mississippi? Mississippi's unclaimed property is held by the Unclaimed Property Division of the State Treasurer's Office in Jackson. Owners search by last name on the Treasury's unclaimed money search, which links to its claim portal. 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 Mississippi? No mineral-specific period was found in the Treasurer's materials. Its holder instructions say intangible property not otherwise covered, held in the ordinary course of business, is presumed abandoned after more than five years, and the Treasury describes a five-year dormancy requirement generally. ### What do I need to claim unclaimed royalties in Mississippi? Mississippi claimants provide a copy of photo ID and their Social Security card or another formal document showing the SSN. Ownership is usually confirmed by address or SSN, and old bills, tax returns or credit reports can prove a past address. ### Can I claim a deceased relative's royalties in Mississippi? For a deceased owner, Mississippi wants the death certificate, the filed will if any, or else an obituary or funeral program listing all heirs (or a notarized Affidavit of Death from each heir). If the estate is open the Treasury pays the estate through the executor; if closed, each legal heir files a separate claim for a share. This is general information, not legal advice. ### What rules apply to finder services for unclaimed royalties in Mississippi? Anyone can file without a paid claim finder, and the Treasurer says claim finders may charge at most 10% for their services. 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