Virginia Unclaimed Property Office: What It Does and What It Holds

If you have ever moved, changed jobs, closed a bank account, or lost track of an old refund, there is a chance you may have money or property sitting with the Virginia Unclaimed Property Office. Many people do not realize they are owed anything until they actively check.

This guide explains, in plain English, what the Virginia unclaimed property program typically does, what kinds of property it holds, who can claim it, and how to move forward through official state channels.

HowToGetAssistance.org is an independent, informational site. It is not a government agency, not the Virginia Unclaimed Property Office, and not a place to file claims. This article is only meant to help you understand the process before you contact the proper state office.

What Is “Unclaimed Property” in Virginia?

Unclaimed property generally means money or assets that belong to you but have been turned over to the state because the holder (like a bank or company) could not find you for a certain period of time.

In Virginia, this typically includes:

• Money in old bank accounts
• Uncashed checks
• Insurance benefits
• Some types of investment accounts
• Contents of safe deposit boxes

The Virginia Unclaimed Property Office (usually part of the state’s Department of the Treasury) acts as a custodian. That means the state holds the property for you, but does not take ownership. You (or your heirs) can typically claim it at any time, as long as you can prove your right to it.

What Does the Virginia Unclaimed Property Office Do?

The Virginia Unclaimed Property Office generally has three main jobs:

1. Receiving Property from Businesses and Institutions

Banks, insurance companies, employers, utilities, and other organizations in Virginia are usually required by law to:

1. Try to contact the owner after a period of inactivity.
2. If they cannot find the owner, turn the property over to the Virginia Unclaimed Property Office after a set “dormancy period” (often a few years).

Examples of holders that might send property:

• Banks and credit unions
• Insurance companies
• Employers (payroll, retirement plans)
• Utility and phone companies
• Investment firms and brokerages

2. Safely Holding the Property

Once the state receives the property, the Virginia Unclaimed Property Office:

• Maintains records of the owner’s name, last known address, and the holder’s information.
• Keeps cash in state custody until it is claimed.
• For physical items (like jewelry from safe deposit boxes), often:
  • Stores them for a period of time, and
  • May later sell them at auction, while keeping the sale proceeds for the rightful owner.

The office is responsible for keeping accurate records so that owners or heirs can claim assets at a later date.

3. Helping Owners Find and Claim Their Money

The Virginia Unclaimed Property Office typically:

• Provides an official online search tool where you can look up your name.
• Runs outreach efforts (mailings, public notices, events) to let residents know the program exists.
• Reviews claims and verifies identity and ownership before releasing property.
• Answers questions through an official phone line, mail, or sometimes in-person services.

What Types of Property Does Virginia’s Unclaimed Property Office Hold?

Unclaimed property in Virginia is usually financial or intangible, not land or buildings. Real estate is generally not handled through unclaimed property programs.

Here are common categories:

Common Types of Unclaimed Financial Property

• Bank accounts

  • Savings and checking accounts
  • Certificates of deposit (CDs) that were never cashed out

• Uncashed checks

  • Payroll checks from past jobs
  • Refund checks (utilities, government refunds, insurance refunds)
  • Dividend checks or vendor payments

• Insurance-related property

  • Unclaimed life insurance benefits or annuities
  • Refunds from cancelled policies

• Investments and securities

  • Stocks, bonds, and mutual funds
  • Dividends and interest payments
  • Some retirement accounts that meet certain conditions

• Utility and service credits

  • Security deposits from electricity, gas, water, or phone service
  • Credit balances on closed accounts

Safe Deposit Box Contents and Tangible Property

Virginia’s unclaimed property program may also hold:

• Safe deposit box contents, such as:
  • Jewelry
  • Coins and collectibles
  • Certificates, documents, or small personal items

Over time, the state may sell these items, but it usually keeps the money from the sale available for the rightful owner or heirs to claim.

What It Typically Does Not Cover

Most state unclaimed property programs, including Virginia’s, generally do not handle:

• Real estate (land, homes)
• Vehicles
• Child support arrears
• Most types of government benefits (those are handled by separate agencies)

If you are unsure, the official Virginia unclaimed property office or its website can usually explain what is and is not covered.

Who Can Claim Unclaimed Property in Virginia?

Typically, you may be able to claim property from the Virginia Unclaimed Property Office if you are:

• The original owner, and:

  • Your name and/or last known address match the record, or
  • You can show a connection to the business or account

• An heir or beneficiary of a deceased owner, such as:

  • Surviving spouse
  • Child or other relative
  • Person named in a will or estate documents

• A legal representative, like:

  • Court-appointed executor or administrator of an estate
  • Attorney or guardian with proper authorization

Common Eligibility Clues

You may have a good reason to search Virginia’s unclaimed property database if:

• You used to live or work in Virginia, even many years ago.
• You have changed your name (marriage, divorce, or otherwise).
• You moved and did not receive your last paycheck, security deposit, or refund.
• A relative who lived in Virginia passed away, and you believe you may be an heir.
• You once had safe deposit boxes or small investment accounts you never fully closed.

There is usually no income or asset test and no penalty for claiming what is already yours. The main issue is proving identity and ownership.

How to Search for Unclaimed Property in Virginia

HowToGetAssistance.org cannot search or claim for you, but you can typically start by:

1. Visiting the official Virginia unclaimed property website for the Department of the Treasury (look for an address ending in “.gov” and clear state branding).
2. Using the site’s search tool:
   • Search by your full legal name (and any former names).
   • Try different spellings and variations.
   • Search for relatives, especially those who have passed away.

If you do not have internet access, you can:

• Call the official Virginia unclaimed property phone line (found via the main Virginia state government website or Treasury department).
• Ask if they can help run a search by phone or mail you printed information.

🔎 Important tip: Always make sure you are using an official state site or hotline, not a private company, when you first search.

If You Find Your Name: Typical Next Steps

If the search shows that you might have unclaimed property, the Virginia Unclaimed Property Office usually asks you to:

1. Review the claim details

   • Confirm the spelling of your name.
   • Check the last known address and business/organization listed.
   • Make sure the record looks like it could be yours.

2. Start a claim through the official system
   This is usually done:

   • Online (through the official state website), or
   • By mail, using forms you print or request by phone.

3. Provide proof of identity and ownership
   You will generally need to submit copies of documents (see below).

HowToGetAssistance.org does not process claims or collect documents. All claims must go through Virginia’s official unclaimed property channels.

Documents You May Need to Claim Property

The specific documents can vary based on:

• The type of property
• Whether you are the owner or an heir
• How old the record is

However, the Virginia Unclaimed Property Office often asks for some combination of:

Basic Identity Documents

• Government-issued photo ID, such as:

  • Driver’s license
  • State ID card
  • Passport

• Proof of current address, like:

  • Recent utility bill
  • Bank statement
  • Lease agreement
  • Official letter mailed to you

Ownership and Connection Documents

To show that you are the person associated with the unclaimed property, you may need:

• Social Security number (or last four digits, depending on the form)
• Old addresses matching the record (for example, an old utility bill, lease, tax document)
• Account statements or old correspondence from:
  • Banks or credit unions
  • Insurance companies
  • Employers
  • Utility providers

If your name has changed (e.g., marriage or divorce), you might be asked for:

• Marriage certificate, or
• Divorce decree, or
• Court order showing the name change

If You Are Claiming for a Deceased Person

When claiming as an heir or estate representative, you will usually need:

• Death certificate for the owner
• Proof of your relationship, such as:
  • Birth certificate
  • Marriage certificate
• Estate documents, where applicable:
  • Will
  • Letters testamentary
  • Letters of administration
  • Small estate affidavit (if allowed under state law)

Quick Reference: Common Documents by Situation

*Exact requirements are set by the official Virginia Unclaimed Property Office and may change. Always rely on instructions from the state.

How Claims Are Usually Processed

Once you submit a claim to the Virginia Unclaimed Property Office:

1. Initial review

   • Staff compare your information to what is on file.
   • They check that your ID and documents are consistent with the record.

2. Follow-up requests (if needed)

   • If anything is unclear or missing, they may:
     • Request additional documents
     • Ask for clarifications
     • Return incomplete claims for correction

3. Decision

   • If approved, the office typically issues:
     • A check for cash amounts, or
     • Proceeds from sold property (for example, what they received at auction).
   • For some securities or shares, they may transfer value or issue payment according to state procedures.

4. Timeline

   • Processing time can vary widely based on:
     • Volume of claims
     • Complexity (e.g., estates vs. simple individual claims)
     • How complete your documentation is

For the most accurate estimate, check the information given by the official Virginia Unclaimed Property Office or ask through their hotline.

Common Reasons Claims Get Delayed or Denied

People sometimes face delays or denials for reasons such as:

• Incomplete forms

  • Missing signatures
  • Skipped sections
  • Not including required contact details

• Insufficient proof of identity

  • Expired ID
  • Illegible copies
  • Missing Social Security number when requested

• Not enough proof of ownership

  • No evidence connecting you to the address or account listed
  • Records that do not clearly match your name (especially if it is common)

• Unclear relationship for heir claims

  • No death certificate
  • No estate or relationship documentation
  • Multiple heirs with unresolved questions about who can claim

If your claim is denied or delayed, the official office may explain the reason in writing or by phone and tell you what you can do next.

Can You Appeal a Decision?

Virginia’s unclaimed property process may allow for:

• Submitting additional documents if your initial claim was denied due to missing or unclear information.
• Requesting a review of the decision by providing:
  • More detailed records
  • Corrected information
  • Legal documents (especially for estates or disputes)

Any formal appeal or review process will be described by the official Virginia Unclaimed Property Office or in the claim instructions you receive. If you are dealing with a complex estate or dispute, some people choose to consult an attorney, though that is a personal decision and not required in many simple claims.

How to Make Sure You Are Using an Official Virginia Channel

Because unclaimed property involves money, there are occasional scams and unofficial services that may charge fees. To protect yourself:

Signs You Are on an Official Virginia Site or Line

• The website address ends in “.gov” and clearly identifies:
  • The Commonwealth of Virginia
  • The Virginia Department of the Treasury or similar official agency
• Contact information matches what you find:
  • On the main Virginia state government portal
  • In official state publications

Red Flags to Watch For

Be cautious if:

• Someone contacts you unexpectedly and:

  • Demands upfront payment to help you claim money
  • Pressures you to sign quickly without explaining your options

• A website:

  • Does not use “.gov” but asks for sensitive information
  • Has vague contact details or no clear state agency name

• A person or company:

  • Refuses to direct you to the free official Virginia unclaimed property search
  • Says the money will disappear unless you pay them immediately

🛑 You do not have to pay the state of Virginia to search for or claim your unclaimed property. Some private “finder” services may charge fees for helping you, but you can usually work directly with the Virginia Unclaimed Property Office at no cost.

If you are uncertain, you can:

• Call Virginia’s main state government information line (listed in official directories).
• Ask to be connected to the unclaimed property or Treasury office to verify.

What If You Do Not Qualify or Find Nothing?

If you search and do not see your name, or if your claim does not work out, you still have options:

• Search again later

  • New unclaimed property is reported and added regularly.
  • Try:
    • Previous names
    • Old addresses
    • Employers, especially if you suspect a missing paycheck or retirement benefit.

• Check other states

  • If you ever lived, worked, or studied in another state, you might have property there instead.
  • Each state has its own official unclaimed property program, typically found on the state government website.

• Look into other financial resources if you need immediate help, such as:

  • Local social services or human services departments
  • Community action agencies
  • 211 (a free, nationwide information line that can often suggest local assistance programs)

Key Takeaways Before You Contact Virginia’s Unclaimed Property Office

• The Virginia Unclaimed Property Office holds money and certain assets that belong to individuals and businesses when the original holder could not locate them.
• Common items include old bank accounts, uncashed checks, insurance benefits, securities, and safe deposit box contents.
• You can typically search for free through the official Virginia state website or by contacting the state’s unclaimed property or Treasury office.
• To claim property, be prepared with photo ID, proof of address, and documents connecting you to the account or to a deceased owner.
• Claims can be delayed when documentation is incomplete or unclear, but you can often submit additional information for review.
• Always make sure you are dealing with an official Virginia government channel, especially before sharing personal information.

When you are ready to move forward, your next step is to visit the official Virginia unclaimed property website or call the state’s unclaimed property office to start a search or ask specific questions about your situation.