Unclaimed Utility Deposits and Escrow Funds in Virginia: How to Find and Claim Your Money

If you’ve ever paid a utility deposit or had escrow money connected to housing or services in Virginia, you may be owed money you never knew about. When companies or agencies cannot reach you, those unclaimed funds are often turned over to the Commonwealth of Virginia as “unclaimed property.”

This guide explains, in plain language, how unclaimed utility deposits and escrow funds usually work in Virginia, how to search for them, and what to do if you believe some of that money is yours.

HowToGetAssistance.org is not a government office, not an official portal, and not a place to submit claims. This article is meant to help you understand the process so you can take the next step through official Virginia channels.

Understanding Unclaimed Utility Deposits and Escrow Funds in Virginia

What are “unclaimed utility deposits”?

A utility deposit is money you give a company up front, usually to start or secure service, such as:

• Electric (e.g., Dominion, co-ops)
• Natural gas
• Water and sewer
• Telephone or internet
• Some private waste services or other utilities

If you close your account or have a credit balance, the company is supposed to refund what you’re owed. But if they can’t reach you—maybe you moved, changed your name, or changed banks—that money can become unclaimed property.

In Virginia, when an account has been inactive and the company can’t contact the owner for a certain period, the business generally must turn those funds over to the state’s unclaimed property program rather than keep them.

What are escrow funds?

In this context, escrow funds most often refer to:

• Mortgage escrow accounts (money set aside for property taxes and homeowner’s insurance)
• Rental escrow or security deposit escrow accounts
• Other housing-related accounts where a third party holds money temporarily

If the relationship ends (mortgage paid off or refinanced, lease ended, or dispute resolved), there may be leftover money that should be returned to you. If the holder cannot locate you, those funds may eventually be reported to the Virginia Unclaimed Property program.

Who Typically Has Unclaimed Utility or Escrow Money?

You may have unclaimed deposits or escrow funds in Virginia if:

• You moved out of Virginia or within the state and did not update your address with:
  • Electric, gas, water, or telecom companies
  • Your mortgage servicer or landlord
• You closed a utility account that required a deposit
• Your mortgage was paid off, refinanced, or transferred and you did not receive a final escrow refund
• You ended a lease and never got your security deposit back (or got less than you expected)
• You changed your name, and your old name was on the account
• You had bills on auto-pay or budget plans that resulted in overpayments

Some people learn about unclaimed funds years after moving or closing an account.

The Basics of Virginia’s Unclaimed Property System

Virginia has a state-run unclaimed property program that holds money belonging to people and businesses until they claim it.

Common types of property in this system include:

• Utility deposits and overpayments
• Refund checks that were never cashed
• Escrow balances from mortgages or rentals
• Security deposits
• Bank accounts, paychecks, insurance proceeds, and more

For unclaimed utility deposits and escrow funds, companies usually transfer the money to Virginia after a set “dormancy period” (a period of no contact with the owner). Once transferred, the Commonwealth keeps the funds as custodian until the rightful owner or heir files a claim.

Step-by-Step: How to Search for Unclaimed Utility and Escrow Funds in Virginia

You do not search for or claim this money through HowToGetAssistance.org. Instead, you use the official Virginia unclaimed property system.

Step 1: Gather basic information before you search

Having some details ready can make your search easier:

• Full legal name (including any former names or married/maiden names)
• Previous addresses in Virginia (cities, ZIP codes if possible)
• Approximate years you lived or had accounts in Virginia
• Business names you used, if any (for landlords, small businesses, etc.)

You do not need account numbers just to search, but they can help later in the claim process.

Step 2: Use Virginia’s official unclaimed property website

Virginia operates an official online searchable database for unclaimed property, including utility deposits and escrow funds.

You can typically:

1. Go to the Commonwealth of Virginia’s unclaimed property website (run by the state treasurer or similar official office).
2. Enter your:
   • Last name (and optionally first name)
   • City or ZIP code (optional but helpful)
3. Review the search results and look for:
   • Your name or a close match
   • Old addresses you recognize
   • Businesses or agencies you dealt with (e.g., utility companies, mortgage servicers)

If you do not have internet access, you can call the state unclaimed property office by phone and ask how to perform a search or request a mailed form.

Step 3: Identify which results look like they’re yours

In the search results, you may see:

• Claim owner name: your name or something close
• Reported address: an address you used in Virginia
• Holder: the company that reported the funds (e.g., a utility company, a bank, a mortgage company)
• Property type: for example:
  • Utility deposit
  • Security deposit
  • Escrow funds
  • Refund
  • Credit balance

You can usually select each result and choose an option like “Claim” or “Begin Claim” on the state website to start the official process.

How to File a Claim for Unclaimed Utility Deposits or Escrow Funds

Each state has its own rules. The information below reflects typical Virginia processes, but details can change, so always follow instructions on the official state website or forms.

Step 1: Start the claim online or request a claim form

Once you choose the property you believe is yours in the Virginia system, you’ll typically:

• Create or log into an online account for Virginia’s unclaimed property site, or
• Print a claim form from the website, or
• Request a claim form by contacting the Virginia unclaimed property office directly

You’ll often be asked basic questions to verify your identity and your connection to the property.

Step 2: Verify your identity

To process your claim, Virginia usually requires proof of identity. Common documents include:

• Government-issued photo ID, such as:
  • Driver’s license
  • State ID card
  • U.S. passport
• Tax ID or Social Security Number (may be requested for verification and tax reporting)
• Proof of current address, such as:
  • Recent utility bill
  • Bank statement
  • Lease or mortgage statement

For online claims, you might upload scans or photos of these documents. For mail-in claims, you may send copies (not originals).

Step 3: Prove your connection to the old address or account

For utility deposits and escrow funds, Virginia generally wants evidence that:

1. You are the person named on the unclaimed property record, and
2. You have a connection to the address or account where the funds came from.

Common supporting documents include:

• Old utility bills showing your name and the address
• Mortgage statements or escrow account statements
• Lease agreements or rental receipts
• Closing documents from a home sale or refinance
• Bank statements showing payments to the relevant company
• Any letters or notices from the company about refunds or deposits

If the address is long ago and you do not have paperwork, the state may accept other ways of verifying your identity and past residence, such as:

• Old tax forms (W-2, 1099, etc.) with the address
• Official school records or government-issued documents showing the address
• Notarized statements (if requested by the state)

Follow the specific documentation instructions in the claim packet or confirmation email from the Virginia unclaimed property office.

Step 4: Submit your claim

You usually can:

• Upload documents through the official Virginia unclaimed property website, or
• Mail your completed claim form and copies of documents to the address specified on the form

Make sure to:

• Sign the form where required
• Include all requested documents
• Keep copies of everything you send

You cannot submit your claim through HowToGetAssistance.org; all claims go through Virginia’s official systems.

Step 5: Wait for review and response

After you submit your claim, the Virginia unclaimed property office will:

• Review your information and documents
• Compare them to the records reported by the company
• Approve, deny, or request more information

If approved, you will usually receive a check mailed to your current address, or in some cases another form of payment, according to the state’s process.

Typical Documents Needed for Virginia Unclaimed Utility or Escrow Claims

Below is a simple overview. The exact list varies depending on your situation and what the Virginia office requests.

Always follow the most recent instructions from the state unclaimed property office, since requirements can change.

Special Situations

If your name has changed

If your unclaimed funds are under a previous name, you’ll typically need to prove that you were that person and that your name has legally changed. This is common for:

• Marriage
• Divorce
• Court-ordered name changes

Common proof:

• Marriage certificate linking maiden and married names
• Divorce decree with former and current names
• Court order for name change
• Old ID cards or documents showing both names

If the owner has died

If the person who paid the utility deposit or held the escrow account has passed away, you may still be able to claim the money as:

• An heir (spouse, child, or other relative)
• The executor or administrator of the estate
• A court-appointed representative

Expect to provide:

• Death certificate
• Proof of your relationship to the deceased
• Documents showing your legal right to act:
  • Will naming you as executor
  • Letters of administration
  • Small estate affidavit or similar documents (depending on the estate size and Virginia law)

The Virginia unclaimed property office will explain exactly what documents are needed for heir or estate claims.

If you had a joint account

For joint accounts (for example, both spouses on a utility account), usually any joint owner can file a claim, but the state might:

• Ask for consent from other owners, or
• Ask for documentation showing which person is entitled to the funds if a co-owner is deceased

Check the instructions for joint-owner claims on the official site or discuss by phone with the state unclaimed property office.

How Long Do You Have to Claim Unclaimed Utility and Escrow Funds?

Under Virginia’s unclaimed property laws, funds turned over to the state are generally held indefinitely for the rightful owner or heirs. In other words, there usually is no strict time limit to claim most types of unclaimed property, including utility deposits and many escrow funds.

However:

• Rules can change, and
• Certain types of property (like some retirement accounts) may have special rules

If you think you may be owed money, it’s wise to search and file a claim sooner rather than later. Addresses, company records, and your own documents are easier to track down when less time has passed.

Common Reasons Claims Get Delayed or Denied

People sometimes experience delays or denials for reasons such as:

• Missing documentation
  • Not including proof of identity or proof of address
• Name mismatch
  • Claim filed under a different name than appears on the record without explaining or documenting the change
• Insufficient connection to the address
  • Not providing anything that shows you lived or did business at the address listed in the record
• Incomplete claim form
  • Leaving sections blank or not signing the form
• Wrong claimant
  • Someone tries to claim a relative’s property without legal proof (for example, no estate documents or heirship paperwork)

If your claim is denied or delayed, you can contact the Virginia unclaimed property office and ask:

• Why the claim was not approved
• What additional documents might resolve the issue
• Whether there is a way to appeal or resubmit the claim

How to Make the Process Smoother

These steps can make claiming unclaimed utility or escrow funds in Virginia easier:

• Search under all names you’ve used
  • Include previous married names, maiden names, and common misspellings
• Search every address you’ve lived at in Virginia
  • Especially addresses where you had utility service or a mortgage
• Check regularly
  • More property is added over time; it’s worth repeating the search once a year or so
• Keep copies of leases, closing documents, and final utility bills when moving or closing an account
  • These can be very helpful if you need to prove your connection later
• Respond promptly if the state asks for more information
  • Delayed responses can slow down your claim

Verifying You’re Using an Official Virginia Channel (Avoiding Scams)

Because unclaimed property can involve money, there are sometimes scams that target people looking for refunds.

Here are ways to protect yourself:

• Look for clear state branding
  • The official Virginia unclaimed property website is run by a state office (often the state treasurer or a similar agency).
• Be cautious about fees
  • Virginia’s unclaimed property program generally allows you to search and file claims at no cost.
  • Some private “finders” or “locators” offer to help for a fee; these are not required. If you choose to use one, review any contract carefully.
• Never send original vital documents by mail unless specifically required and verified as safe
  • Use copies, and verify instructions by calling the official state office if you’re unsure.
• Do not share personal information (such as full Social Security numbers) on unofficial sites
  • Only provide sensitive information on the official state website or on official state forms.
• If you receive a suspicious letter, email, or call claiming you have unclaimed money:
  • Contact the Virginia unclaimed property office using a phone number listed on a verified state website (not the number in the suspicious message).
  • Ask them to confirm whether a claim or offer is legitimate.

Other Resources if You Need Help

If you have trouble with the process or need more guidance:

• Virginia Unclaimed Property Office
  • This is your central resource for questions about searches, documents, and claim status. You can call their official phone line (listed on the Commonwealth’s unclaimed property website).
• Local legal aid organizations
  • May assist with complicated estate or heirship claims.
• Community assistance lines, such as 211
  • Can sometimes help you find local organizations that provide free or low-cost help with completing forms or navigating government services.

Remember, HowToGetAssistance.org only provides general information and guidance. To actually search for and claim unclaimed utility deposits or escrow funds in Virginia, you must go through the Commonwealth of Virginia’s official unclaimed property program or other official state offices.