Property type
Safe deposit box contents
Jewelry, documents, coins and other items — how they become unclaimed and how to find them.
When rent on a safe deposit box goes unpaid and the bank cannot reach the renter, the box can be drilled open and its contents turned over to the state. Unlike most unclaimed property, these are physical items: jewelry, coins, documents, photographs, collectibles.
What states typically do
States inventory and store tangible items. Many hold periodic auctions of items that stay unclaimed for a set time; the sale proceeds then remain claimable as cash. Documents with no market value, such as wills, deeds and photographs, are usually kept or handled under separate rules. Practices differ by state, so contact the program directly if you believe a box belonged to you or a relative.