Alabama is holding $1 billion in unclaimed property for its residents, leading the state treasurer to encourage Alabamians to search for money that may be theirs for National Unclaimed Property Day.

Last year, nearly $51 million in financial accounts or items of value in which the owner had not initiated any activity for a number of years was returned to Alabama residents, said State Treasurer Young Boozer.

Thursday is National Unclaimed Property Day, noted Boozer.

If Alabamians forget to search for unclaimed property at treasury.alabama.gov — searches are free — on Thursday, Boozer suggested another date.

“Nothing gives us greater pleasure than reuniting people with their money! As funds are turned over to us once a year, I like to remind folks to check our website, treasury.alabama.gov, every year on their birthday,” the treasurer said. “That’s an easy way to remember, and we might just be holding a present for you in the way of unclaimed property funds.”

One in every seven Americans has unclaimed property, according to the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators.

Last year, $5 billion in unclaimed property was returned to Americans.