Key takeaways
- Search every name you have ever used, one at a time.
- Search surname only where the register allows it.
- Keep your marriage or change of name certificate - you will need it to claim.
Why the registers cannot connect your names
A register lists exactly what the institution reported. A bank that lost contact with you in 2004 reported the name on the account in 2004. No agency cross-references marriage records against unclaimed money listings, so the two never meet unless you search deliberately.
Build your name list first
- Birth name and maiden name.
- Each married name, including from an earlier marriage.
- Hyphenated or double-barrelled combinations you used briefly.
- Anglicised or shortened first names - Kate for Katherine, Tony for Antonio.
- Misspellings that appeared on old bills or payslips.
Where name changes cause the most losses
| Money type | Why a name change hides it |
|---|---|
| Bank accounts | Accounts opened before marriage go dormant under the old name |
| Shares and dividends | Share registries rarely get updated after a name change |
| Superannuation | An early-career fund still holds the pre-marriage name |
| Rental bonds | A bond lodged under a maiden name in a share house |
| Unpaid wages | A first job recorded a name you no longer use |
What you need to claim
- 1Photo identification in your current name.
- 2Documents linking your names - marriage certificate, divorce order, or a change of name certificate from the births, deaths and marriages registry in your state.
- 3Evidence connecting you to the listing, such as the address on record at the time.
- 4Bank details in your current name for payment.
If you no longer have the certificate, your state births, deaths and marriages office can issue a replacement for a fee. That fee is often far less than the amount waiting on the register, so check the listing before deciding.
Ready to search?
Not sure which registers apply to you? Our free search guide turns six quick answers into a personalised checklist of official searches. Every register it links to is a government service and free to use.
Official sources checked
- Researched and reviewed by
- Find Lost Money Australia
- Information last verified
- 1 August 2026 (first published August 2026)
Find Lost Money Australia is an independent information service, not a government agency. Our review checks the responsible agency's current page, search location and claim instructions. Agencies can change their rules, so confirm details on the official site before you act.
More reading
Continue your lost-money search
Repeat each of these under every former name.
- Bank accounts, shares and dividendsASIC holds bank money inactive for seven years, plus unclaimed dividends and share proceeds.
- Lost superSuper from old jobs, plus balances the ATO is holding in your name.
- Your state or territory registerEach state holds unclaimed refunds, deposits and trust money from businesses in that state.
- Proving your identityThe documents each register asks for before it will release money to you.
Searching is free. Every register we link to lets you search at no cost, and you can lodge a claim yourself. Be cautious of any business that asks for an upfront fee simply to search a public register on your behalf. Find Lost Money Australia is an independent information service. We are not a government agency and we do not hold or search unclaimed money databases.