Key takeaways
- Search the registers using the deceased person's full name, maiden name and every address they lived at.
- Most agencies require a death certificate plus proof you are entitled to act for the estate.
- Superannuation is handled by the fund's death benefit process, not the general registers.
Start with a complete name and address list
Registers match on the exact details an institution recorded, which may be decades old. Build a list before you start searching, and search each variation separately.
- Full legal name, including middle names.
- Maiden name and any previous married names.
- Shortened or anglicised versions of their given name.
- Every state they lived or worked in.
- Business names they traded under.
Which registers to search
| Type of money | Where to look |
|---|---|
| Bank accounts, shares, life insurance | ASIC MoneySmart unclaimed money register |
| Refunds, deposits, trust balances | The unclaimed money register of each state they lived in |
| Rental bonds | The bond authority in that state |
| Unpaid wages | Fair Work Ombudsman |
| Superannuation | The super fund directly, or the ATO |
What agencies ask for
- 1A certified copy of the death certificate.
- 2Probate, letters of administration, or - for smaller amounts - a statutory declaration and evidence of your relationship.
- 3Your own photo identification.
- 4Documents linking the deceased to the listed amount, such as an old address or account reference.
- 5Bank details for the estate account, or for you as the entitled beneficiary.
Superannuation is different
Death benefits are not paid out like an ordinary balance. The fund decides who receives the money based on the member's binding nomination and dependency rules, which may not follow the will. Contact each fund directly, and check the ATO for any accounts transferred to it.
Ready to search?
Start with your state or territory - every register we link to is official and free to use.
Start your search