California’s Unclaimed Property Office: What It Does and What It May Be Holding for You

The California Unclaimed Property Office is where money and certain assets go when businesses lose contact with their owners. Many people have property there and don’t realize it—often because they moved, changed banks, or forgot about an old account.

This guide from HowToGetAssistance.org explains, in plain language, what the California Unclaimed Property Office does, what types of property it holds, and how people typically claim it through official state channels. HowToGetAssistance.org is not a government agency, application site, or claim-processing office, but you can use this information to better understand your next steps with the official state office.

What Is the California Unclaimed Property Office?

In California, unclaimed property is generally overseen by the State Controller’s Office (SCO). The unclaimed property program exists to:

• Protect consumers’ money and assets
• Reunite owners with property that has been inactive or abandoned
• Prevent businesses from keeping money that doesn’t belong to them

When a bank, employer, insurance company, or other business cannot reach you for a certain period of time (called a “dormancy period”), state law usually requires them to turn that property over to the state as unclaimed property.

The California Unclaimed Property Office then holds that property as custodian until the rightful owner (or their heir) steps forward and makes a claim through the official state process.

What Types of Unclaimed Property Does California Hold?

The office does not usually hold physical items like real estate, cars, or most personal belongings. It mainly holds financial assets that were left behind, forgotten, or inactive.

Common Types of Unclaimed Property

Here are some of the most typical items:

• Bank accounts
  • Savings accounts
  • Checking accounts
  • Certificates of deposit (CDs)
• Uncashed checks
  • Payroll checks from past jobs
  • Refund checks
  • Dividend checks
  • Insurance claim checks
• Utility deposits
  • Security deposits with gas, electric, water, or phone providers
• Insurance proceeds
  • Life insurance policy benefits
  • Matured endowments or annuities
• Stocks and mutual funds
  • Shares that were held in a brokerage account
  • Dividend reinvestment plans
• Safe deposit box contents
  • In some cases, the state may hold proceeds from auctioned items if the original physical items were sold after a long storage period
• Gift cards or credit balances
  • Certain types of store credits or gift certificates (depending on state law and conditions)
• Business credits
  • Vendor overpayments
  • Unused credit balances on accounts

What the Office Usually Does NOT Hold

To avoid confusion, the California Unclaimed Property Office typically does not deal with:

• Real estate property (houses, land)
• Cars, boats, and other vehicles
• Wages still owed from a current employer (those are usually handled by labor agencies)
• Social Security benefits or federal payments (those are handled by federal agencies)

If you’re not sure which category your issue falls into, you can usually:

• Contact the State Controller’s Office unclaimed property division, or
• Call 211 to get help identifying the right state or local agency.

How Property Becomes “Unclaimed” in California

Property usually becomes “unclaimed” after a period with no contact between you and the company holding the funds.

Typical Steps Before It Reaches the State

While exact rules can vary by type of property, the general pattern is:

1. Inactivity period

   • Your account has no activity for a set time (often 3 years, but the period can vary).
   • Activity can sometimes include deposits, withdrawals, or even contacting the account holder and getting a confirmed response.

2. Attempts to reach you

   • The company may send letters, statements, or emails to your last known address or email.
   • If mail is returned undeliverable or you don’t respond, they may mark the account as dormant.

3. Reporting to the state

   • After the dormancy period, California law often requires businesses to:
     • Report the account as unclaimed, and
     • Transfer the funds or assets to the California Unclaimed Property Office.

4. State takes custody

   • The state becomes the custodian of the property (it does not become state-owned).
   • The property is held until the rightful owner or heir files a valid claim with the state.

Who Can Claim Property from the California Unclaimed Property Office?

In general, the following people may be able to claim property:

• Original account holder

  • The person whose name is on the account, check, policy, or other asset.

• Heirs of a deceased owner

  • Spouse, children, or other heirs may claim if the original owner has died.
  • This often requires estate or probate documents, or other proof of heirship.

• Legal representatives

  • Court‑appointed executors, administrators, trustees, or guardians.
  • Power of attorney typically does not survive the death of the owner, so additional documentation may be needed.

• Business owners or officers

  • If the property belongs to a business (corporation, LLC, partnership, sole proprietorship), a person with legal authority for that business can often file a claim.

The specific requirements can depend on:

• Whether the owner is alive or deceased
• Whether the owner is a person or a business
• The type and value of the property

The official California unclaimed property website or hotline usually provides detailed instructions and forms for each type of claimant.

What You Usually Need to Claim Unclaimed Property

To claim property, you generally need to prove two main things:

1. You are the right person (identity)
2. You are connected to the property (ownership)

Below is a typical breakdown. Always check the California State Controller’s Office for current, official requirements.

1. Proof of Identity

Common documents include:

• Government-issued photo ID (such as a driver’s license or state ID)
• Social Security number (may be requested on the claim form)
• Date of birth

For businesses, this might include:

• Employer Identification Number (EIN)
• Proof you are an authorized representative (for example, corporate officer or managing member)

2. Proof of Ownership or Connection to the Property

Depending on the situation, this may include:

• Old account statements or passbooks
• Cancelled checks or deposit slips
• Policy documents (for insurance)
• Stock certificates or account summaries
• A document showing your name and the address that matches the one on the unclaimed property record
  • Examples: old utility bill, lease, bank statement, pay stub, or tax form

3. Extra Documents for Special Situations

If the property owner has died:

• Death certificate
• Will or trust documents, if available
• Letters Testamentary, Letters of Administration, or other probate orders, if the estate went through court
• Affidavit for small estate (for smaller amounts, when allowed by state law)

If the property belongs to a business:

• Business formation documents (articles of incorporation, partnership agreement, etc.)
• Recent business tax return or other proof the business is active or legally dissolved
• Proof you are authorized to sign (corporate resolutions, meeting minutes, or similar)

Quick Reference: Common Documents by Scenario

Requirements can change, so it’s important to read the official claim instructions provided by the State Controller’s Office when you’re ready to file.

How to Search for Unclaimed Property in California

HowToGetAssistance.org cannot search or process claims for you, but here’s how people typically search for California unclaimed property on their own.

Step 1: Go to the Official California Unclaimed Property Website

Most people:

1. Visit the official State Controller’s Office unclaimed property site for California.
2. Look for a feature such as “Search for Unclaimed Property” or “Find Your Property.”

You can also:

• Call the State Controller’s Office unclaimed property division using the phone number listed on official state resources.
• Ask 211 or a local library for help finding the correct official website if you’re unsure.

Step 2: Search by Name

Typical search options include:

• Last name and first name
• Business name
• Sometimes city or ZIP code to narrow results

Tips:

• Try different versions of your name (for example, with middle initial, without, maiden name, or previous married name).
• Search for old addresses where you used to live, in case the property is tied to that location.

Step 3: Review the Results

If there is a match, you may see:

• Name of the owner
• Name of the company that reported the property (for example, a bank or employer)
• Type of property (for example, “wages,” “stocks,” “checking account”)
• Approximate amount or a range (some listings may say “$100 or less,” “over $100,” etc.)

If you think the listing is yours, there is usually an option like “Start a claim” or “Select” next to that entry.

How People Typically File a Claim (Through Official Channels)

HowToGetAssistance.org is not a claim portal, but here’s the usual process people follow with the state:

1. Select the property you want to claim

   • On the official site, you choose the entries that you believe belong to you.

2. Fill out the official claim form

   • You provide:
     • Your current contact information
     • Details about your connection to the property
     • Other requested information, such as your Social Security number or date of birth

3. Print or submit the form as instructed

   • Some claims may allow online submission.
   • Others might require you to print, sign, and mail the form.

4. Attach required documents

   • Copies (sometimes certified copies) of:
     • Photo ID
     • Proof of address or ownership
     • Estate or business documents, if needed

5. Send the claim to the official address or upload it

   • Follow the instructions on the claim form for:
     • Mailing address, or
     • Online upload option if available

What Happens After You File a Claim?

Processing times can vary based on:

• The type and amount of property
• Whether your documents are complete
• The current volume of claims

Typical Next Steps

• Initial review

  • The office checks that your form is complete and all required documents are included.

• Verification

  • They verify your identity and your connection to the property.
  • They may compare addresses, Social Security numbers, or business registration records.

• Additional information requests

  • If something is missing or unclear, they may:
    • Send a letter or email
    • Ask for more documents or clarification
  • This can cause delays if responses are slow.

• Decision

  • If approved, the state usually:
    • Issues a check for the amount due, or
    • In some cases, transfers assets (like stock) according to program rules.
  • If denied, you may be notified of the reason and possibly given information on how to correct or appeal the issue.

Common Reasons Claims Get Delayed or Denied

Understanding these ahead of time can help you avoid problems:

• Missing documents

  • Identity documents not included
  • No proof of old address that matches the property record

• Unreadable or unclear copies

  • Blurry photos or scans
  • Cut‑off information

• Name changes not explained

  • Marriage, divorce, or legal name change with no supporting documents
  • No link between previous name (on the property) and current name

• Incomplete estate paperwork

  • Heirs of deceased owners applying without required probate or small‑estate forms
  • No death certificate

• Wrong claimant

  • Person filing is not the legal owner or authorized representative
  • Business claims filed by someone without authority

If a claim is denied, the official agency may offer instructions for correcting and resubmitting or, in some cases, for pursuing a formal review or appeal.

How Reviews or Appeals Usually Work

If you disagree with the decision on your claim, options may include:

• Requesting a reconsideration

  • Submitting missing or corrected documents
  • Clarifying misunderstandings (for example, name spelling or address history)

• Following formal appeal steps

  • Some states have a more formal process for disputes, which may involve:
    • Writing a letter or appeal request
    • Providing additional legal documentation

Because these procedures can be technical and may change, it’s important to follow the specific instructions provided in your decision letter or on the official California State Controller’s website.

You can also:

• Contact a legal aid organization in your area if you need help understanding your rights, especially in complex estate or business cases.

How to Avoid Scams When Searching for Unclaimed Property

Because unclaimed property can involve money, scammers sometimes try to take advantage of people. Here are ways to stay safe:

Signs You’re on an Official Channel

• The website clearly identifies a California state agency, such as the State Controller’s Office.
• The web address ends in a government-related domain such as “.gov”.
• The phone number can be verified through:
  • The official State Controller’s Office contact information
  • Published state directories
  • A call to 211 for confirmation

Red Flags to Watch For

• Upfront fees

  • Be cautious of anyone demanding a big “processing fee” before helping you locate or claim property.
  • In many cases, you can search and claim property yourself directly through the state at little or no cost.

• Pressure tactics

  • “Act now or lose your money”
  • “Limited-time offer” type language around unclaimed property is suspicious.

• Unsolicited calls or emails

  • People claiming they already know you have property but refusing to provide basic details or proof.
  • Requests for sensitive personal information or bank account numbers over the phone or email.

• Requests for login information

  • No legitimate state agency should ask you for passwords to your accounts.

If you’re ever unsure, you can:

• Contact the California Unclaimed Property Office (State Controller’s Office) directly using a verified phone number.
• Ask 211 or a trusted local organization (such as a public library or senior center) to help you confirm you’re using an official resource.

What If You Don’t Find Any Unclaimed Property?

Not everyone will have property listed, and that’s normal. If you don’t see any results:

• Try again with:

  • Different spellings of your name
  • Previous names (maiden name, prior married name)
  • Previous addresses or cities where you’ve lived or worked

• Search under:

  • Family members’ names, especially deceased relatives
  • Names of small businesses you owned or ran in the past

If you still don’t find anything, you may simply not have any unclaimed property in California at this time.

Remember:

• Unclaimed property reports are often submitted annually, so new entries may appear in future years.
• You can get in the habit of checking periodically (for example, once a year).

Alternatives and Related Resources

If you don’t find unclaimed property but still need financial help or support, you might consider:

• State benefit agencies

  • For programs like food assistance (CalFresh), cash aid (CalWORKs), or Medi-Cal, contact your county social services department or the state’s official benefits portal.

• 211

  • Dialing 211 from most phones in California can connect you with local resources for:
    • Rent or utility relief
    • Food pantries
    • Legal help
    • Other community services

• Legal aid and consumer assistance

  • If you have a complex inheritance, business issue, or think someone mishandled your funds, local legal aid organizations may provide guidance or referrals.

By understanding what the California Unclaimed Property Office does and what it holds, you can make informed decisions about whether you or your family might have money waiting. When you’re ready to take the next step, make sure you go through the official California State Controller’s Office website or hotline, follow their instructions carefully, and keep copies of everything you submit.