Unclaimed Bank Accounts in Washington: Why They Happen and How to Claim Your Money

Finding out you might have money sitting in an unclaimed bank account in Washington can be confusing. Many people are surprised to learn they may be owed cash they forgot about years ago. The process to check and claim it is usually straightforward once you understand how it works and which official agency handles it.

This guide explains how bank accounts become “unclaimed” in Washington State, how to search for your money, what to expect when you file a claim through official channels, and how to protect yourself from scams.

HowToGetAssistance.org is an independent information site. It is not a government agency, application portal, or official unclaimed property program. This article is for general guidance so you can better understand what to do through Washington’s official offices and websites.

What Are Unclaimed Bank Accounts in Washington?

In Washington, unclaimed bank accounts are usually part of what the state calls unclaimed property. This can include:

• Checking and savings accounts
• Certificates of deposit (CDs)
• Money orders or cashier’s checks
• Safe deposit box contents (handled differently than cash)
• Other dormant financial accounts

Unclaimed property generally refers to money or property that has been inactive for a certain number of years and that the financial institution has been unable to return to the owner.

In Washington, unclaimed financial accounts are typically turned over to the Washington State Department of Revenue’s Unclaimed Property program. Once that happens, the state holds the property for the rightful owner until a valid claim is filed.

How Bank Accounts Become “Unclaimed” in Washington

Common Ways Bank Accounts Go Unclaimed

Bank accounts in Washington can become unclaimed for several reasons:

• No activity for a long time
  • No deposits, withdrawals, or direct contact
  • No response to bank notices about inactivity
• Address changes
  • Moving without updating your address with the bank
  • Mail from the bank is returned as undeliverable
• Name changes
  • Not updating account records after marriage, divorce, or legal name changes
• Account owner passes away
  • Heirs or executors may not know the account exists
• Old accounts and closed branches
  • People forget about small balances or older accounts at institutions they no longer use

When an account has no activity for a legally defined period (often around 3–5 years, depending on the account type and state rules), and the owner cannot be reached, the bank is generally required to:

1. Try to contact the owner using the last known information.
2. If unsuccessful after a required time, turn the funds over to the state as unclaimed property.

Once the funds are reported to the state, the account at the bank is closed, and the state becomes the custodian of the money until the rightful owner or heirs file a successful claim.

Who Typically Can Claim an Unclaimed Bank Account in Washington?

The person who can claim depends on the situation. In most cases, eligible claimants include:

• The original owner of the account
• A joint owner listed on the account
• A legal heir (if the owner has died)
• An executor or personal representative of the deceased owner’s estate
• A business owner or authorized officer (for business accounts)
• A legal guardian or conservator (for minors or adults under guardianship, with proper court documents)

You typically need to show both:

1. You are the right person (identity)
2. You have a connection to the property (ownership or legal authority)

How to Search for Unclaimed Bank Accounts in Washington

While the exact website address can change over time, Washington usually offers an official unclaimed property search tool run by the Washington State Department of Revenue.

You can generally search by:

• Your first and last name
• Previous names (maiden name, prior married names, etc.)
• Business name, if you owned or managed a company
• Sometimes city or ZIP code to narrow results

Typical Steps to Search

1. Go to the official Washington State unclaimed property site

   • Look for a website maintained by the Washington State Department of Revenue.
   • Confirm it clearly states it is the official state unclaimed property program.

2. Enter your name

   • Try different variations:
     • Full legal name
     • Middle initial vs. full middle name
     • Former names

3. Review the search results

   • Look for:
     • Your name (or close spellings)
     • Past addresses where you have lived in Washington
     • Any businesses you were associated with
   • Each entry usually shows:
     • Name
     • Last known address (often city and state)
     • Type of property (e.g., bank account, wages, refund)
     • Reporting business or institution (often the bank)

4. Select the property that looks like it belongs to you

   • Many systems let you “add” records to a claim cart or list.

5. Start the claim process

   • You will typically be guided through questions and instructions to submit a claim through the official system.

What Documents You May Need to Claim an Unclaimed Bank Account

Exact requirements can vary by situation. Washington’s unclaimed property program typically asks for supporting documents to prove:

• Your identity
• Your address history or connection to the property
• Any legal authority (if claiming for someone else or for a business)

Here is a general overview of the kinds of documents that may be requested:

*The actual required documents are set by the Washington State unclaimed property program and may change. Always follow the instructions given on the official site or by the official office.

How to File a Claim for an Unclaimed Bank Account in Washington

The process usually includes online steps and sometimes mailing or uploading documents.

1. Start the Claim Online (If Available)

Once you find your name and property in Washington’s official search:

1. Select the property and choose to file a claim.
2. Provide basic details, such as:
   • Full legal name
   • Current mailing address
   • Email and phone number
   • Social Security number (or last 4 digits) for identity verification
3. Answer questions to confirm your connection to the property.

You may receive a claim number or confirmation page. This is important for tracking your claim if the program offers that option.

2. Gather and Submit Required Documents

Next, you are usually asked to upload, mail, or fax copies of documents. Washington may require:

• Copy of a government-issued photo ID
• Proof of address that matches the address listed on the unclaimed account, such as:
  • Old utility bill
  • Tax record
  • Bank statement
  • Lease agreement
• For heirs or estates:
  • Death certificate
  • Legal documents naming you as executor or heir

Some people prefer to black out sensitive information not needed for the claim (for example, parts of account numbers) while leaving required information visible. Always check the program’s instructions about what must remain legible.

3. Submit Your Claim to the Washington State Unclaimed Property Program

Depending on Washington’s current system, you may:

• Complete the process fully online, including document uploads, or
• Print, sign, and mail a claim form with copies of your documents to the address listed on the official website.

Follow instructions carefully, especially about:

• Signatures (some claims require a wet-ink signature)
• Notarization (larger or more complex claims may require notarized forms)
• Deadlines for submitting requested documents, if any

How Long Does It Take to Get Paid?

Processing times can vary depending on:

• How many claims the agency is handling
• Completeness and clarity of your documents
• Whether additional verification is needed

Many straightforward claims are processed in a matter of weeks, but some may take longer, especially if:

• The claim is for a deceased person’s estate
• There are multiple heirs
• The documentation is missing or unclear

Once approved, payment is usually made by check mailed to your address, or by another method described by the program.

Common Reasons Claims Are Delayed or Denied

Understanding common problems can help you avoid slowdowns with your Washington unclaimed account claim:

• Name mismatches

  • Spelling differences between your ID and the property record
  • Not providing proof linking your old and new names

• Address issues

  • No proof of living at the address listed with the unclaimed account
  • Old documents not clearly showing your name and that address

• Incomplete forms

  • Missing signatures
  • Required sections left blank

• Insufficient legal authority

  • For heirs: not providing a death certificate or legal authority to claim
  • For businesses: not proving you are an authorized representative

• Unreadable documents

  • Blurry photos or scans
  • Cutting off important information when copying

If your claim is delayed, the Washington program may:

• Request additional documents, or
• Ask you to clarify details about your claim.

If your claim is denied, you may receive a notice explaining why. You can usually:

• Ask the agency for clarification
• Submit a new claim with better documentation
• In some situations, seek legal advice if you believe you’re entitled to the property and cannot resolve it directly with the agency.

What If You Moved Out of Washington?

If the unclaimed account is connected to an address in Washington, it often still appears in Washington’s unclaimed property system, even if you now live in another state.

In that case:

• You usually still claim through Washington’s program, not your new state.
• You may need to provide:
  • Proof of your current address, and
  • Proof that you formerly lived at the Washington address linked to the account.

If you are unsure which state holds the funds (for example, if you lived in multiple states), you may:

• Check the unclaimed property program of each state where you lived or held bank accounts.

Can Unclaimed Bank Money in Washington Expire?

In many cases, once the money has been turned over to the Washington State unclaimed property program, the state holds it indefinitely for the rightful owner. That means the funds generally don’t “expire” in the same way they might if left at a private company.

However:

• Interest, fees, or other details may not continue after the money is turned over.
• Exact rules can change, so it’s best to review Washington’s current unclaimed property policies on the official website or by calling the state’s unclaimed property office.

How to Tell You Are Using an Official Washington Channel

Because “unclaimed money” is a target for scams, it is important to confirm you are dealing with official Washington offices when searching and claiming.

Here are practical ways to verify:

• ✅ Look for “.gov” or “.wa.gov” in the website address

  • Official Washington State government sites generally use these domains.

• ✅ Confirm the agency name

  • The unclaimed property program in Washington is typically run by the Washington State Department of Revenue or a clearly identified state agency.

• ✅ Check for official contact information

  • A government mailing address in Washington State
  • A customer service phone number listed as part of the state agency

• ✅ Call directly

  • If unsure about a website or letter, call the Washington State Department of Revenue main line or the unclaimed property division phone number found through the state’s main government website. Ask them to confirm if the site or notice is legitimate.

Watch Out for Unclaimed Property Scams

Scammers sometimes contact people about “unclaimed money” and try to collect fees or personal information. Common warning signs include:

• Requests for upfront fees

  • Official state unclaimed property programs typically do not charge you a fee to file a claim directly.
  • “Finder” or “locator” services may legally charge a fee, but you are never required to use them.

• Pressure tactics

  • “You must act immediately or lose your money”
  • This is usually not how legitimate unclaimed property programs operate.

• Emails or texts with suspicious links

  • Avoid clicking unknown links.
  • Instead, independently search for the official Washington unclaimed property site.

• Requests for sensitive data in odd ways

  • Be cautious about giving out your full Social Security number or bank account details unless you are certain you are on a secure, official state form or speaking with the actual agency.

If you receive a suspicious letter or call:

• Contact the Washington State Department of Revenue or the state’s consumer protection office directly using numbers found on official state websites.
• Ask them to verify whether the communication is legitimate.

If You Do Not Find Any Unclaimed Bank Accounts

If your search in Washington’s unclaimed property database shows no results:

• Double-check:
  • Alternate spellings of your name
  • Prior names (maiden name or previous married name)
  • Old addresses or cities where you lived

If you still find nothing:

• You might not have any unclaimed accounts in Washington.
• Or the property may be:
  • Held in another state’s unclaimed property program, or
  • Not yet reported by the financial institution if the dormancy period has not passed.

You can also:

• Contact your former banks directly to ask about old accounts.
• Search unclaimed property programs in other states where you lived or banked.

Other Resources That May Help

If you need help understanding the process or gathering documents:

• You can call Washington’s unclaimed property program using the phone number listed on Washington’s official government website.
• 211 in many areas can help direct you to local legal aid organizations or community groups that may offer free or low-cost help with paperwork or legal questions.
• For complex estate or inheritance issues, some people choose to consult a licensed attorney familiar with Washington probate and property law.

By understanding how unclaimed bank accounts in Washington are handled, how to search for them, and how to file a claim through official state channels, you can take clear steps to see whether any forgotten funds belong to you or your family and, if they do, work toward recovering them safely.