Feb. 1 is National Unclaimed Property Day, and state officials are urging residents to get online and claim over $1 billion the state treasurer is holding in trust.

"We've got money, we've got assets that belong to other people. We're trying to find you. So ctbiglist.com, go there and see if you've got money," said Connecticut state Treasurer Shawn Wooden.

CT Big List is the state treasurer's database of unclaimed property the state is holding in trust.

Wooden says if a private business owes you money, they're legally required to try to find you and return it for three years.

"And if they don't find you within that period of time, then they're required to turn it over to the treasurer's office," said Wooden.

Residents can type in their name and town online to see if they're owed anything. Wooden says making a claim takes 10 minutes.

The requirement that claims be notarized is on its way out, with the introduction of a new confirmation system.

The site is getting rid of the notarization requirement, easing the burden for some people.

Wooden says if you don't file, the state isn't allowed to just send you a check.

"State law requires that a claim be made by the rightful owner," he said. "Because we don't want to give your money to the wrong person."

He says going digital has made the process easier than ever.

"With the launch of the new online system, claims have gone up approximately 32%," said Wooden.

Wooden says as of 2020, Connecticut had returned 56% of unclaimed property to its rightful owner.