Quick answer
Pennsylvania's program is run by the Treasury Department's Bureau of Unclaimed Property in Harrisburg. Treasury's unclaimed-property page now forwards to its search-and-claim site, where owners search by name and file claims.
Source: Pennsylvania Treasury Department — Bureau of Unclaimed Property (searchandclaimpa.gov)
Pennsylvania has no separate dormancy period for mineral proceeds. Treasury's holder guide says most property, with listed exceptions that do not include mineral proceeds, is reportable after three years without owner contact, and the Act's catch-all section uses the same three-year period.
Dormancy period: 3 years
Statute: 72 P.S. § 1301.10 (Disposition of Abandoned and Unclaimed Property Act, 'miscellaneous property')
Mineral-specific rule: No (general period)
Sources: 72 P.S. § 1301.10 (Disposition of Abandoned and Unclaimed Property Act, 'miscellaneous property') · Treasury holder reporting book
Pennsylvania differs from most states: holder reports are due April 15 of the year after the property became reportable, and Treasury accepts them from January 1 to April 15. Late reports may be charged interest at 12 percent a year.
Report due: April 15
Covers property held as of: Property that became reportable during the prior calendar year (report year 2025 is due April 15, 2026); reports accepted January 1 to April 15
Source: Official source
Pennsylvania claims are filed online, and many qualify for online approval without a paper form. When a form is required, it must be signed (notarized only for claims of $5,000 or more) and sent with proof of ownership, usually verification of the reported address or Social Security number.
How to file: Search by name and file online; if a PDF claim form is presented, complete and sign it and upload it with supporting documents, or mail them to the Bureau of Unclaimed Property. Many online claims qualify for online approval without a form.
Proof required: Proof of ownership, usually by address or Social Security number verification; signed claim form; notarization only for claims of $5,000 or more; other documents as listed on the claim form.
Source: Official claim instructions
For a deceased owner, close family members can use Treasury's Relationship Affidavit when the property is $20,000 or less, the owner died a Pennsylvania resident, and there is no estate or one was opened at least five years earlier. Otherwise the claimant must be the court-appointed personal representative and present a short certificate (letters of administration or letters testamentary).
Documents: Relationship Affidavit for qualifying family members when the property is $20,000 or less, the owner died a Pennsylvania resident, and there is no estate or five or more years have passed since a personal representative was appointed; otherwise a court-appointed personal representative with a short certificate (Letters of Administration or Letters Testamentary) from the Register of Wills.
Whether an estate must be opened is a legal question for a qualified attorney in that state.
Source: Official source
Owners can claim directly from Treasury free of charge. Finders must be registered with the State Treasurer and may not charge more than 15% of the amount claimed.
State claim fee: None
Finder-fee limit: 15% of the value of the property; finders must hold a Certificate of Registration from the State Treasurer
Finder-fee statute: 72 P.S. § 1301.11(g) (fee cap) and § 1301.11a (finder registration)
Source: Official source
Treasury's holder reporting book lists mineral property-type codes: MI01 Net Revenue Interest, MI02 Royalties, MI03 Overriding Royalties, MI04 Production Payments, MI05 Working Interest, MI06 Bonuses, MI07 Delay Rentals, MI08 Shut-in Royalties, MI09 Minimum Royalties and MI99 Aggregate Mineral Proceeds.
Source: Official source
Pennsylvania's program is run by the Treasury Department's Bureau of Unclaimed Property in Harrisburg. Treasury's unclaimed-property page now forwards to its search-and-claim site, where owners search by name and file claims. Search under every name the royalties may have been paid to, including maiden names and deceased relatives.
Pennsylvania has no separate dormancy period for mineral proceeds. Treasury's holder guide says most property, with listed exceptions that do not include mineral proceeds, is reportable after three years without owner contact, and the Act's catch-all section uses the same three-year period.
Pennsylvania claims are filed online, and many qualify for online approval without a paper form. When a form is required, it must be signed (notarized only for claims of $5,000 or more) and sent with proof of ownership, usually verification of the reported address or Social Security number.
For a deceased owner, close family members can use Treasury's Relationship Affidavit when the property is $20,000 or less, the owner died a Pennsylvania resident, and there is no estate or one was opened at least five years earlier. Otherwise the claimant must be the court-appointed personal representative and present a short certificate (letters of administration or letters testamentary). This is general information, not legal advice.
Owners can claim directly from Treasury free of charge. Finders must be registered with the State Treasurer and may not charge more than 15% of the amount claimed.
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 · suspended royalties · find your payor
