How to File an Unclaimed Assets Claim in California: Step‑by‑Step Guide

If you’ve ever moved, changed jobs, or closed a bank account, you might have money or property sitting with the State of California as unclaimed property. Filing a claim is usually free and can often be done online through official state channels.

This guide walks through how unclaimed assets work in California, who can file a claim, what documents you’ll likely need, and how to avoid scams. HowToGetAssistance.org is an informational resource only—it is not a government agency, an application portal, or a place to submit any claims.

What Are Unclaimed Assets in California?

In California, unclaimed assets (unclaimed property) generally refers to money or property that a company or institution is holding but has lost contact with the owner for a certain period of time. By law, these assets eventually must be sent to the California State Controller’s Office (SCO) for safekeeping until the rightful owner or heir claims them.

Common types of unclaimed property include:

• Bank accounts (checking, savings)
• Uncashed checks (payroll, vendor checks, refunds)
• Utility deposits and refunds
• Insurance proceeds and benefits
• Stocks, mutual funds, and dividends
• Safe deposit box contents
• Retail store credits or money orders in some cases

The state typically does not take ownership of your property; it holds it until someone proves they are the rightful owner or beneficiary.

Who Can File an Unclaimed Property Claim?

You may be able to file an unclaimed assets claim in California if you are:

• The original owner whose name appears on the property record
• A joint owner listed on the account
• A legal heir or beneficiary of a deceased owner
• An executor, administrator, or personal representative of an estate
• A business owner or authorized officer for property in the business’s name
• A legal representative (such as an attorney or court-appointed guardian) with proper documentation

You generally need to show:

• Your identity, and
• Your connection to the property (for example, that you lived at the address associated with the account, or that you are an heir to the named owner).

If the property belongs to someone who has died, additional probate or estate documents may be required.

Step 1: Search for Unclaimed Property in California

The first step is to check if the State of California is holding any property in your name.

How to Search

You can typically search through:

• The official California unclaimed property search website (run by the State Controller’s Office)
• The State Controller’s Office unclaimed property hotline (phone assistance)
• In some cases, official mail-in request forms you can obtain from the SCO or by calling their office

When you search, you will usually need:

• First and last name (include middle initial if possible)
• Any former names (such as maiden names)
• Business name, if you own or manage a business
• Previous addresses, especially if you’ve moved around California

Many people search for:

• Their own name
• Close relatives’ names (especially deceased parents or grandparents)
• Old business names they were associated with

If you find a match, the system usually shows:

• The property ID number
• The reported owner name
• The reported address
• The type of property (for example, bank account, stock, wages)
• Sometimes an estimated value range (exact value is often not shown online)

Step 2: Review the Property and Confirm It’s Yours

Once you see potential matches, take a moment to confirm they actually relate to you.

Check:

• Name spelling and variations
  • Example: “Robert A. Smith” vs. “Bob Smith”
• Old addresses
  • Does the listed city or street match where you used to live or work?
• Company or employer name
  • For wages, dividends, or vendor payments
• Type of property
  • Bank, wages, insurance, etc.

If everything lines up, you can move ahead and start a claim for those items through the official state channel.

Step 3: Choose the Right Claim Type

California may categorize claims differently depending on your role and the situation. Knowing your claim type helps you gather the correct documents.

Here is a simplified overview:

Exact claim categories and names may vary slightly in the State Controller’s Office system, but they follow this general idea.

Step 4: Start Your Claim (Online or by Mail)

You generally cannot file an unclaimed property claim through HowToGetAssistance.org. Claims must be filed through official California channels, typically the State Controller’s Office (SCO).

Online Claim Filing

In many cases, you can:

1. Go to the official California unclaimed property website (run by the SCO).
2. Search for your name and select the properties you believe are yours.
3. Click to start a claim or file a claim.
4. Answer questions about:
   • Your identity
   • Your connection to the property
   • Whether the owner is living or deceased
5. Provide your contact information and mailing address.
6. Submit the claim request online.
7. Print or download any claim forms or checklists the system generates with your claim ID.

Some claims can be fully submitted online with electronic document uploads, while others may require that you print, sign, and mail forms with copies of your documents.

Paper / Mail-In Claims

For more complex claims, or if you prefer paper:

1. Contact the California State Controller’s Office and ask for the appropriate unclaimed property claim form.
2. Fill out the form with:
   • Property ID number(s)
   • Owner information
   • Your relationship to the owner
   • Your mailing address and contact details
3. Sign and date the form as required.
4. Attach copies of all required supporting documents (see next section).
5. Mail the completed package to the official address listed on the claim form.

Always use the exact address provided on the official state form or website, not an address from a third-party site.

Step 5: Gather Required Documents

The documents you need will depend on your claim type. Having these ready can help prevent delays.

Common Documents for Individual Owner Claims

For a typical owner claim, you may be asked for:

• Government-issued photo ID
  • Driver’s license
  • State ID card
  • Passport
• Proof of Social Security number (if requested)
  • Social Security card, W-2, or tax form
• Proof of address tied to the property
  • Old utility bill
  • Bank statement
  • Lease or mortgage showing your name and the address listed on the property record
• Name change documents, if applicable
  • Marriage certificate
  • Divorce decree
  • Court order for name change

Additional Documents for Deceased Owner / Heir Claims

If you’re claiming as an heir or on behalf of an estate, you may also need:

• Death certificate of the property owner
• Will or trust documents, if any
• Letters testamentary or letters of administration from a probate court, showing who is authorized to act on behalf of the estate
• Affidavit of small estate, if allowed by California law and the estate meets certain value limits
• Proof of relationship to the deceased
  • Birth certificate
  • Marriage certificate
  • Other court or legal documents

Documents for Business Claims

If the property is in a business name:

• Proof of the business’s existence, such as:
  • Articles of incorporation or organization
  • Fictitious business name statement
  • Business license
• Proof you can act for the business, such as:
  • Corporate resolution
  • Listing as an officer on official records
  • Notarized authorization letter
• Tax identification number (EIN) if requested

Step 6: Submit Your Claim Package

Once you’ve completed the online or paper claim and gathered your documents:

• Online submissions
  • Upload clear, readable copies (front and back if needed).
  • Follow file size and format requirements listed on the official portal.
  • Make sure your name and address are legible in the images.
• Mail submissions
  • Send copies, not originals, unless the official instructions specifically require an original document.
  • Keep a copy of everything you send.
  • Consider using a mailing method that provides tracking or delivery confirmation.

The State Controller’s Office usually assigns a claim number or ID. Keep it somewhere safe; you may need it if you call for updates.

Step 7: What Happens After You File?

Processing times can vary based on:

• The number of claims the state is handling
• How complete and clear your documentation is
• Whether the claim requires extra verification (for example, estate or heir claims)

Typical Next Steps

After your claim is received, the official office may:

1. Review your documents to confirm your identity and link to the property.
2. Verify ownership with the original holder’s records (the bank, employer, insurer, etc.).
3. Request additional documents if something is missing or unclear.
4. Approve or deny your claim.
5. If approved, issue payment by:
   • Check mailed to the address you provided, or
   • Other methods specified by the State Controller’s Office (depending on the type of property)

Checking Your Claim Status

To check status, you can usually:

• Visit the official California unclaimed property website and look for a “Check Claim Status” option, or
• Call the State Controller’s Office unclaimed property unit, providing your claim ID and other requested details

Processing can take weeks or sometimes longer, especially if your claim is complex or if the office is handling a high volume of claims.

Common Reasons Claims Are Delayed or Denied

Understanding common issues can help you avoid them.

Frequent Problems

• Missing proof of identity
  • ID expired or not included
• Insufficient proof of address or ownership
  • No document tying you to the property’s listed address
• Name mismatch
  • Using a married name while all documents show a maiden name, without showing proof of name change
• Incomplete heir or estate documentation
  • Missing death certificate, missing probate documents, or unclear relationship to the decedent
• Illegible copies
  • Documents are too dark, blurry, or cut off
• Wrong claim type
  • Filing as an individual when the property is clearly in a business name or vice versa

If your claim is denied, the official notice or letter often explains why and may tell you what you can do if you have more documentation to support your claim.

Can You Appeal or Reopen an Unclaimed Property Claim?

If you believe your claim was denied in error:

• Carefully review the denial explanation you receive from the State Controller’s Office.
• Check whether:
  • You can submit additional documentation to address the reasons for denial.
  • There is a formal appeal process (the instructions, if available, are usually provided in the denial letter or on the official SCO website).
• You may contact the State Controller’s Office directly to:
  • Ask for clarification on what is needed
  • Confirm how to resubmit or appeal

Some people find it helpful to:

• Speak to an attorney familiar with estate or property law when the claim involves significant value or complex family or business relationships.

How Long Do You Have to Claim Unclaimed Assets in California?

In California, most unclaimed property is held by the state indefinitely for the rightful owner or heirs. Unlike some other situations, there usually is no strict deadline by which you lose the right to claim typical unclaimed property once it has been turned over to the State Controller’s Office.

However:

• The time period before assets are turned over (called the “dormancy period”) varies by property type and is handled by the company holding the money, not by you.
• Certain types of property or special situations could have different rules.

If you have questions about timing for your specific property type, it is best to:

• Contact the California State Controller’s Office unclaimed property unit and ask directly.

How to Avoid Unclaimed Property Scams

Because unclaimed property can involve money, scammers sometimes pose as officials or “recovery experts.” Knowing how to recognize official channels is important.

Warning Signs of Possible Scams

• You are asked to pay a large upfront fee to “unlock” your property.
• Someone guarantees they found money for you without giving you enough detail to independently verify it.
• You receive calls or messages asking for sensitive information (like your full Social Security number or bank logins) from unfamiliar phone numbers or email domains.
• Someone invites you to use a website that does not clearly show it is run by a California state agency.

California law may allow licensed “asset locators” to charge a limited finder’s fee, but you are not required to use them. Most people can file claims directly with the State Controller’s Office for free.

How to Verify You Are Using Official Channels

• Look for clear government branding, such as references to the California State Controller’s Office and a government domain in web addresses.
• Confirm telephone numbers and mailing addresses from:
  • Official state publications
  • The State Controller’s Office directly
• If you are unsure, call the State Controller’s Office main switchboard (not a number provided in a suspicious email) and ask to be connected to the unclaimed property unit.

Never share sensitive personal or financial information unless you are certain you are interacting with an official government office.

What If You Don’t Qualify or Can’t Prove Ownership?

If you can’t provide the documentation the State of California requires, the claim may not be approved.

Possible paths forward:

• Search under different name variations
  • Use nicknames, prior legal names, or maiden names.
• Gather more old records
  • Old tax returns, pay stubs, or bank records may help tie you to the property.
• Consult family members
  • They may have old paperwork or know more about a deceased relative’s assets.
• Speak to an attorney
  • Especially for complicated estates or disputed heirships.

If, after trying these options, you still can’t meet the documentation requirements, the state may continue to hold the property without releasing it.

Key Takeaways Before You Start

• Searching for unclaimed assets in California is usually free and commonly done through the California State Controller’s Office.
• You may claim as an owner, heir, estate representative, or business, but you must prove who you are and how you’re connected to the property.
• Be prepared with photo ID, proof of address, and (if applicable) estate or business documents.
• Processing can take weeks or longer, so hang onto your claim ID and check status only through official channels.
• You do not file your claim through HowToGetAssistance.org; this site offers information only so you can better understand the process before contacting the official state office.

Armed with the steps and expectations in this guide, you can now move on to the official California resources to search for and, if eligible, file a claim for unclaimed assets in your name.