To claim scratch card winnings, sign the back of the ticket immediately, then bring it with a photo ID to the right place for your prize size: a lottery retailer for small wins, a regional lottery office for mid-range prizes, and the state lottery headquarters for the largest ones. Every claim has to happen before the ticket’s expiration date, and prizes above certain thresholds have federal tax and other deductions taken out before you get paid.
Sign the Ticket Before You Do Anything Else
An unsigned scratch card works like cash. Whoever holds it can claim the prize, and until your name is on the back there is no legal link between you and the money. Print your full name in the signature area right away. Most lottery commissions require a signature before they will process any claim beyond a few hundred dollars.
Take a photo of the front and back of the ticket with your phone. That gives you a timestamped record of the ticket’s condition and your signature. Then store the physical ticket somewhere secure — a safe, lockbox, or bank safe deposit box — especially if you plan to wait before claiming.
Where to Claim Based on Prize Amount
The size of your win determines where you go. Exact thresholds vary by state, but the framework is consistent across most lotteries.
- Small prizes, roughly $600 or less: cash them at any authorized lottery retailer. The clerk scans the ticket, confirms the win, and pays you on the spot. No paperwork in most states.
- Mid-range prizes, roughly $600 to $100,000: bring the ticket to a regional lottery office or submit it by mail. Retailers do not have the authority or cash on hand to pay these out. You will need the signed ticket, photo ID, your Social Security information, and a completed claim form.
- Top prizes and jackpots, often $100,000 or more: these may have to be claimed at the state lottery’s main headquarters. Some states require an in-person visit for the highest tier; others allow mail claims up to a set amount.
Check your state lottery’s website for exact dollar thresholds and the nearest claim center. Some regional offices require an appointment; others accept walk-ins.
Meet the Claim Deadline
Every scratch card has an expiration date. Miss it and the prize is forfeited with no exceptions. Deadlines vary by state, but they generally fall between 90 days and one year after the game officially ends. Some states allow as little as 60 days; others give 180 days or longer.
The clock is tied to when the lottery commission ends the game, not when you bought the ticket. A scratch card purchased months before a game closes may have less time left than you expect. The back of the ticket or your state lottery’s website will list the specific deadline.
If you mail your claim, most states treat the postmark date as the filing date, so the envelope needs to be postmarked before the deadline. Waiting until the last day to mail is risky, because postal delays can push the receipt past the deadline even with a timely postmark.
What to Bring
You will need a valid government-issued photo ID no matter the prize size. A driver’s license is the most common, but a passport, state ID card, or military ID also works.
For prizes that trigger tax reporting, you also need to provide your Social Security number, either by presenting your Social Security card or an official tax document showing it. The lottery commission uses that information to report your winnings to the IRS.
For prizes above a few hundred dollars, you typically fill out an official claim form. Forms are available at lottery retailers, regional offices, and your state lottery’s website. The form asks for your legal name, current address, phone number, and signature. Every detail needs to match your photo ID exactly. Even a minor mismatch between the form and your ID can delay payment.
If You Are Not a U.S. Citizen or Resident
Different rules apply. Lottery winnings paid to a nonresident alien are generally subject to 30% federal withholding rather than the standard 24%, and the payer reports them on Form 1042-S instead of Form W-2G.1Internal Revenue Service. Instructions for Forms W-2G and 5754 You will need a valid passport or other documentation establishing your identity and tax status. Some tax treaties between the U.S. and other countries reduce or eliminate the withholding, so it is worth talking to a tax professional before claiming.
How to Submit Your Claim
In Person
Visiting a claim center in person is the fastest way to get paid. Bring the signed ticket, photo ID, Social Security documentation, and a completed claim form. Staff verify the ticket using secure scanning equipment and process the claim on-site. For mid-range prizes, you may receive payment the same day by check or direct deposit, depending on the state. Larger prizes take longer because they require additional verification, but you will leave with a receipt and a timeline for payment.
By Mail
Most states accept mailed claims if traveling to a claim center is not practical. Send the signed ticket, a completed claim form, copies of your ID, and any other required documentation to the address on your state lottery’s website. Use certified or registered mail with a tracking number. The ticket is irreplaceable, and regular mail offers no recourse if the envelope is lost. Processing times typically run from a few weeks to 30 business days or more. Payment arrives as a check mailed to the address on your claim form.
Through the State Lottery App
A growing number of state lotteries let you submit claims through their official mobile app. Prize limits vary by state, and some allow claims up to several thousand dollars this way. The process typically involves scanning the ticket in the app, following on-screen prompts, and choosing between a mailed check or direct deposit. It is a practical option for prizes that exceed what a retailer can pay but do not require a trip to a regional office.
What Comes Out Before You Get Paid
Federal Withholding
When your scratch card winnings exceed $5,000, the lottery commission withholds 24% of the prize for federal income tax before paying you.2Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 26 USC 3402 – Income Tax Collected at Source On a $10,000 win, $2,400 goes directly to the IRS and you receive $7,600 before any state taxes or offsets. The 24% is a prepayment toward your total tax bill for the year, not a separate tax. Depending on your overall income, you may owe more at filing time or receive a partial refund if the withholding exceeded your actual rate.
All scratch card winnings are taxable income, including prizes too small to trigger any form from the lottery.3Internal Revenue Service. Topic No. 419, Gambling Income and Losses For payments made in 2026, the lottery commission issues a Form W-2G when your winnings reach $2,000 and the payout is at least 300 times your wager.1Internal Revenue Service. Instructions for Forms W-2G and 5754 The W-2G is an information form; it does not mean more money is being taken out of your prize.
State Income Tax
Most states with a lottery also withhold state income tax from prizes above a certain threshold. Withholding rates range from zero to roughly 11%, depending on where you live. A handful of states, including those without a state income tax, take nothing. Your final state tax bill may differ from what was withheld, so plan for that when you file your state return.
Debt Offsets
Before releasing your prize, the lottery commission checks whether you owe certain debts to government agencies. Delinquent child support, unpaid state taxes, defaulted federal student loans, and other qualifying public debts can be deducted from your winnings and forwarded to the agency. You receive only the remaining balance. The offset typically applies to prizes of $600 or more, and you will be notified of any deductions taken.
Damaged or Unreadable Tickets
A torn, washed, or otherwise damaged scratch card is not automatically worthless. If the barcode is still intact and scannable, a retailer can process it like any undamaged ticket. If the barcode is unreadable, bring the ticket to a regional lottery office or mail it in. Lottery staff will send it to the manufacturer for reconstruction, provided enough identifying data remains, such as partial serial numbers or game codes.
Reconstruction takes longer than a standard claim, but lotteries have recovered prizes from tickets that looked ruined. Do not throw away a damaged ticket without first contacting your state lottery’s customer service line to ask whether reconstruction is possible.
Shared Tickets and Office Pools
When two or more people share a winning ticket, the group needs to complete IRS Form 5754 before the prize can be distributed. The form lists each winner’s name, address, taxpayer identification number, and share of the total prize. The lottery commission then issues a separate W-2G to each person, so everyone reports only their own portion on their tax return.1Internal Revenue Service. Instructions for Forms W-2G and 5754
Without Form 5754, the entire prize and its full tax liability fall on whoever submits the claim. The other members of the group would then have to sort out shares privately, creating both a tax headache and a potential legal dispute. Before claiming, the group should agree in writing on how the prize will be split and designate one person to submit the claim with the completed form.4Internal Revenue Service. Form 5754 – Statement by Person(s) Receiving Gambling Winnings
Lump Sum or Annuity on Large Prizes
Certain high-value scratch card games offer top prizes as an annuity paid out over many years rather than a single payment. When an annuity option exists, you can usually choose a reduced lump sum instead. The lump sum is smaller because it represents the present cash value of the full annuity, but you receive the money at once.
The choice has major tax implications. Spreading payments over decades keeps you in a lower bracket each year, while a lump sum may push you into the highest bracket immediately. If your prize offers this option, talk to a financial advisor before deciding.
Staying Anonymous
Whether your name becomes public depends on your state’s laws. More than half of states now allow lottery winners to remain anonymous, at least for prizes above a set dollar amount. In states without anonymity protections, your name and city of residence generally become public record once you claim.
Even in disclosure states, claiming through a trust or limited liability company can shield your personal identity in some cases, because the trust’s name appears on the claim rather than yours. This has to be set up with an attorney before you claim, since you cannot retroactively change the name on a completed claim. If privacy matters and the prize is substantial, meet with an estate planning attorney before visiting the lottery office.