How to Claim Mega Millions Winnings

This page will tell you all you need to know about how to claim Mega Millions prizes. One of the most important rules to remember is that if you buy your tickets from a licensed retailer, you can only claim your winnings from the same state you bought your entry in. However, you do not have to be a resident of that state to be eligible for a Mega Millions prize - nor do you even need to be a U.S. citizen.

Take a look at the rules below to find out how to claim Mega Millions prizes, including the jackpot, in all the different participating states, as well as online.

What to do With a Winning Ticket

If you choose your Mega Millions numbers online, you'll be automatically notified of any win – and your winnings will be paid directly into your account.

If you play via a retailer, make sure to sign the back of your ticket. Whether you win the jackpot or a smaller prize, it will help to prove the ticket belongs to you in the event that you lose it or someone else attempts to claim your winnings. It’s also a good idea to store any winning tickets in a safe place, until you’re ready to come forward and claim.

The method for claiming a prize can vary from state to state and will depend on how much you have won. The following is a general guide to how to claim prizes, but be sure to check the rules in your state before attempting to claim. You can find out more by selecting your state on the Participating States page.

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$599 and under

If you win a prize of under $600, you should be able to claim your winnings from a licensed retailer in the state where you bought your ticket. Certain stores, though, may have a policy against paying out certain sizes of lottery prize, or may not carry enough cash to fulfil your request. In the event of a store not being able to pay out, you could take your ticket to another store, visit your local lottery office, or post your ticket to your state lottery in order to claim your winnings by mail.

If you do intend to mail your ticket to your state lottery office, you must send it out with a prize claim form and proof of identity – subject to the rules set by your state lottery.

$600 and over

You can claim prizes of $600 and above from one of your state lottery’s offices or claim centers. It may also be possible to claim your prize by mail, but you should check with your local office first.

Jackpot Winners

If you win the Mega Millions jackpot, you will need to claim your prize in person from the headquarters of your state lottery. It is unlikely that you will be able to claim a jackpot by mail, as thorough validation checks will need to be completed before the prize money is paid out.

Next Estimated Jackpot:

$178m

Time until draw:

Buy Tickets

Mega Millions Claims Period

Tickets remain valid for different lengths of time, depending on where the ticket was bought. If you're not sure how long you have to redeem your Mega Millions ticket, the following table tells you how long you have to pick up your prize:

State Claim Periods for Mega Millions Payouts
State	Claim Period
New Mexico	90 days
Arizona	180 days
Arkansas	180 days
California*	1 Year
Colorado	180 days
Connecticut	180 days
Delaware	1 Year
Florida	180 days
Georgia	180 days
Idaho	180 days
Illinois	1 Year
Indiana	180 days
Iowa	180 days
Kansas	1 Year
Kentucky	180 days
Louisiana	180 days
Maine	1 Year
Maryland	182 days
Massachusetts	1 Year
Michigan	1 Year
Minnesota	1 Year
Mississippi	180 days
Missouri	180 days
Montana	180 days
Nebraska	180 days
New Hampshire	1 Year
New Jersey	1 Year
New Mexico	90 days
New York	1 Year
North Carolina	180 days
North Dakota	180 days
Ohio	180 days
Oklahoma	180 days
Oregon	1 Year
Pennsylvania	1 Year
Rhode Island	1 Year
South Dakota	180 days
Tennessee	180 days
Texas	180 days
U.S. Virgin Islands	6 months
Vermont	1 Year
Virginia	180 days
Washington State	180 days
Washington D.C.	180 days
West Virginia	180 days
Wisconsin	180 days
Wyoming	180 days

*California players have one year to collect a jackpot prize, but only 180 days to claim a non-jackpot prize.

Publicity

When you do come forward to claim your lottery winnings, you may have to disclose your identity to the public. Anonymity laws in your state may either allow you to remain anonymous or prevent you from concealing your identity.

Take a look at the table below to find out which states offer anonymity to Mega Millions players, and under what conditions:

States That Allow Anonymity	Who Is Eligible for Anonymity
Arizona	Players who have won $100,000 or more
Delaware	All players
Georgia	Players who have won $250,000 or more
Kansas	All players
Maryland	All players
Mississippi	All players
North Dakota	All players
Ohio	All players
South Carolina	All players
Texas	All players
Virginia	Winners of $10 million or more
West Virginia	Winners of $1 million or more; must donate 5% of winnings to the State Lottery Fund to qualify
Wyoming	All players

Some states, though they do not allow outright player anonymity, may allow you to form a trust or LLC through which to collect your winnings. This can protect your identity, though to what extent depends on the laws in your state. Consult a legal advisor to find out if such an option is available to you.