What to Do If Your Lottery Ticket Wins: Signing, Storing and Claiming

First, stay calm

Check the numbers against the official lottery website or app, not a social media post. Double-check the date and game.

Protect the ticket

1. Sign the back, if your lottery allows it. An unsigned ticket can be claimed by whoever holds it.
2. Take clear photos of the front and back.
3. Store the original somewhere dry and safe, like a home safe or bank box.

Find out how to claim

Small prizes can often be claimed at any retailer. Larger prizes usually need a visit to a lottery office or a mailed claim form with ID. Each lottery publishes its rules online.

Watch the deadline

Claim windows often run from about 90 days to a year, depending on the game and state. Don't leave it late.

For large prizes

Speak with a qualified tax adviser and a financial planner before claiming if you can. Taxes are usually withheld from large prizes, and some states let winners stay private while others don't.

If you play in a pool

Follow the written agreement. Our office pool guide explains what it should include.

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Lottery draws are random. This guide is general information, not financial advice.