Just found out that a large account is in the "lost property" department of my state. I am out of the country. I don't have the docs they want. What can I do?

I had a stock account sitting idle for years after the 2008 crash, because I just didn't want to play any more. I realized it's been years and decided to look at it tonight. I found out it's in the hands of the state (Illinois, if it matters).

I am living and working outside the U.S. and don't have any of the documentation they require. There also isn't a notary public within 7000 miles of me -- at least not one that works in the American system, which I assume the state of Illinois would require.

There is no such thing as a U.S. embassy here. No, I'm not joking. I'm not in a "real country", I'm in Taiwan, which doesn't have diplomatic relations with the U.S. because China.

I don't know how long I have before the state's time period expires and the whole amount gets taken away permanently. The report on the state website doesn't list a deadline.

1. Does anyone know how to find out how long I have?

2. Is there any way to get a new SSN card via proxy, or to get notarization done remotely?

3. My driver's license expired a couple of years ago, and I haven't renewed it because I don't need it here. They also seem to want that. Do I have to go back and renew it? Is there a way to renew a long-dead license by mail?

4. Pretty much the only single piece of documentation that I might have that they seem to want is that I might be able to find a letter I received at my home address before leaving -- but it would be four years out of date, and I don't know if they will accept that. I certainly don't have anything going there now.

5. Edit: note, it is still my family's residence. I use the address still.

Any ideas? Can I hire a lawyer to do all of this for me? The amount (low five figures, seven if you include the pennies column) makes it probably worth it.

Thanks. :-(

EDIT: One odd question on their FAQ stuck out at me:

Q: Does the State ever take ownership of unclaimed property?

And their answer turned out to be:

No. The State of Illinois serves as a custodian of the assets and never takes ownership of them. Generations from now, a family member could claim your property with the right paperwork.

Does anyone know, preferably from experience, if this means I have until the Sun turns into a red dwarf to claim it? Not just "six months or else it's gone"? (That was the time limit I usually hear when people talk about state abandoned-property laws.)

If so, maybe I don't have to rush to the U.S. this weekend on a $2500 airline ticket. That would be a definite win. . . .