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?
Start with your state or territory - every register we link to is official and free to use.
Start your search