Unclaimed Property Search

Californians leave billions of dollars behind every year—bank accounts, uncashed checks, stock dividends, safe deposit box contents—simply because the owner lost track of them. This guide explains, in plain language, how an Unclaimed Property Search works in California, who qualifies, the exact steps to search and file a claim, what documents to gather, how to track your claim, and how to avoid common pitfalls. It focuses on official, no-fee resources so you can complete everything yourself with confidence.

Understand What “Unclaimed Property” Really Means

Unclaimed property is a financial asset that hasn’t had owner activity for a period of time—generally three years—so the business that holds it is required by California law to report and transfer it to the State Controller’s Office (SCO) for safekeeping. Typical examples include checking and savings accounts, matured certificates of deposit, stocks and mutual fund dividends, uncashed cashier’s checks and money orders, wages, utility deposits, trust and escrow balances, insurance proceeds, and safe deposit box contents. Real estate is not part of unclaimed property. The SCO holds these assets until the rightful owner or heir steps forward and proves entitlement; there’s no deadline and no fee to file a claim. You can read a plain-English overview under About Unclaimed Property on the State Controller’s site.

Scan This First: The Official Ways to Start Your Unclaimed Property Search

California makes it straightforward to search and claim. The most practical starting points are:

Use the State Controller’s Unclaimed Property Search page, which centralizes the program’s services and explains your options in one place. The search is free and secure, and the state will never charge you to submit a claim. Visit the official Unclaimed Property Search page.
Unclaimed Property Search

If you prefer to jump straight into the statewide database, you can search by last name, business name, or Property ID. This is the state’s property search system where results show matching names, reported addresses, and property types so you can quickly spot what’s yours.
Search for Your Property

Both options lead you to the same state-operated workflow—no third-party middlemen, no fees, and no tricks.

Why Property Becomes “Unclaimed” in the First Place

Most owners never intended to abandon assets. Contact breaks down for common reasons: people move without forwarding addresses, change names, close businesses, forget about a small balance, or pass away without their heirs knowing an account exists. California law requires “holders” (banks, insurers, employers, utilities, brokerages, and other businesses) to attempt to contact you before they report and transfer your funds to the State Controller’s Office. If they can’t reach you and there’s no activity for the dormancy period (generally three years), the property is turned over to the state for safekeeping so it can be reunited with you later.

Get Oriented: What You’ll See in the Database (and How to Read It)

When you run an Unclaimed Property Search, the results page lists each potential match with enough detail to determine if the property is yours:

Owner or business name exactly as it was reported by the holder.

Last known address or city/ZIP associated with the account.

Property type (for example, wages, dividends, escrow funds, or safe deposit contents).

Property ID—a unique number assigned by the SCO that you’ll use throughout the claim process.

Use the city or ZIP filters to narrow the list. If a Property ID is listed on a letter you received, enter it to go right to that single record. If multiple items look like yours, you can select each one to claim them together.

Follow the Proven, Step-by-Step Claim Path

California’s claim process is online and intentionally simple. Here’s how to move from search to payment without delays:

Step 1 — Search and Select the Property

Start at the state’s search page and enter your name or business name. When you recognize an item, click Claim next to it. Confirm you selected only the property that belongs to you, then choose Continue to begin the claim.

Step 2 — Choose the Right Claim Type and Relationship

Pick Individual if the asset is in your personal name (or a deceased individual you’re entitled to represent) or Business if you’re claiming on behalf of a company. Indicate your relationship—owner, heir, trustee, executor, or administrator—so the system can tailor the documentation checklist to your situation.

Step 3 — Enter Accurate Contact Information

Provide your current mailing address carefully; approved claims are paid by state warrant (a state check) mailed to that address. You may be asked to confirm the address before proceeding.

Step 4 — Sign and Submit the Claim

Electronically sign to create your claim and generate your Claim ID. Keep both the Property ID(s) and Claim ID in your records until payment is issued. If supporting documents are required, you can submit them online using the state’s secure uploader.
Claim Documentation Upload

Step 5 — Track Your Claim to the Finish Line

You can check the status of any claim 24/7 using your Claim ID. The SCO aims to process straightforward property owner claims quickly; more complex claims, such as heir or business claims, can take longer due to additional verification steps.
Check Claim Status

Build a Document File That Makes Approval Easy

Each claim is unique, but the State Controller’s Office typically needs documents that prove who you are and connect you to the reported account. Before you upload, organize the following:

Identity and name change: A current government-issued ID and, if your name changed, a marriage certificate or court order linking your past and present names.

Address linkage: A document that ties you to the last known address on the unclaimed account (for instance, a tax record, W-2, utility bill, or bank statement from the relevant period).

Business ownership: For business claims, include documents demonstrating authority (such as Articles of Incorporation, a current business filing, or a letter on company letterhead confirming your role).

Heir, trustee, or estate representative: Court letters of administration, a copy of the will or trust (relevant pages), and any death certificate required to establish the claim chain.

Submitting a complete, legible package the first time is the fastest path to approval.

Special Situations: Deceased Owners, Joint Accounts, and Multiple Heirs

California accommodates a wide range of ownership scenarios, but the documentation changes:

Deceased owner: Heirs, trustees, and personal representatives can file. The SCO will evaluate the estate documents to verify entitlement. If multiple heirs exist, each may need to sign or file separately, depending on the property’s original ownership.

Jointly owned accounts: Whether one person can claim the full amount depends on how the account was originally titled. Be prepared to share ownership documents or statements that clarify rights of survivorship or proportional interests.

Multiple owners or heirs: Each owner must either sign the same claim package or file a separate claim for their share. Coordinating early helps prevent back-and-forth requests for additional signatures.

Safe Deposit Box Contents and Securities: What to Expect

Some unclaimed property consists of tangible contents (like jewelry or documents) from safe deposit boxes or securities such as stocks and mutual funds. Under state law, when the State receives securities, they are transferred into the State’s name. Securities may be returned by transferring shares or by paying the net proceeds if the securities were sold as part of routine processing timelines. If your unclaimed property involves securities or safe deposit contents, follow the instructions provided during and after your claim; the State Controller’s Office will tell you whether additional steps are necessary to verify and deliver those specific assets.

Avoid Common Roadblocks That Slow Down Claims

A few preventable issues tend to delay payment:

Mismatched name or address: If your ID doesn’t match the name on the record, include documentation that bridges the difference—don’t assume it’s obvious.

Illegible scans: Make sure every upload is clear and complete. If a page has information on both sides, scan both.

Wrong claim type: Filing a business claim as an individual (or vice versa) often triggers extra requests. Choose correctly from the start.

Missing authority: For heirs, trustees, or business agents, include the court or organizational documents that prove you’re the person who can legally receive the funds.

You Don’t Need to Pay Anyone: The State’s Process Is Free

California does not charge you to search, file, or receive unclaimed property. Some third parties, sometimes called investigators or heir finders, may offer to help for a fee. The State Controller reminds owners that you can do everything yourself using the official system, and investigators are restricted by law in when and how they can charge. If you receive a letter saying your property will be transferred to the state, contact the business or follow the State Controller’s instructions; you can claim property yourself at no cost.

How to Respond if You Receive a Pre-Transfer Notice

If you get a notice that an account in your name will soon be transferred to the State Controller’s Office, act quickly. Businesses must send these notices to the last known address, and they include the business’s contact information, the type of property, and a value category. Reach out to the business before the deadline in the letter to reactivate or recover the property directly. If the business’s contact information has changed, the State Controller keeps an updated page with current details in the consumer section of its site.

When You Can’t Find Property You’re Sure Exists

Sometimes an owner knows an asset should be there but it doesn’t appear in the search results. Reasons vary—from a recent turnover that hasn’t been posted yet to a name variation that hides the match. In those situations, the State Controller’s Call Center can help you approach the search differently and confirm whether a recent holder report is still being processed.

The Official “How-To” From the State: Use It as a Checklist

The State Controller publishes an easily digestible walkthrough that mirrors the steps above and includes screenshots and tips for narrowing your results and filing online. Bookmark it and refer back to it while you work through each stage.
How to Claim Property

Keep Tabs on Your Claim Without Calling

Once you submit a claim online and receive a Claim ID, you can check the exact status of your claim on the state’s website, day or night. You’ll see whether your documentation is under review, if anything else is needed, and when a decision is made.
Check Claim Status

Upload Documents Securely—No Mail Needed

If the SCO requests supporting materials, use the secure online uploader. It’s the fastest way to complete your file, and it keeps the claim moving without postal delays.
Claim Documentation Upload

Protect Yourself: Learn the State’s Fraud Warnings

Most people experience a smooth process, but scams exist. The State Controller publishes consumer fraud alerts with examples of suspicious solicitations and guidance on what to do if you receive a questionable call or letter. Review these alerts before responding to any third party or sharing personal information.
Consumer fraud alerts

For Businesses and Financial Institutions: Holder Responsibilities at a Glance

If you are a California “holder” that reports unclaimed property, the SCO provides detailed reporting, remitting, and deadline guidance. You must attempt to contact owners before reporting and then submit the property and report annually if dormancy criteria are met. The official materials cover NAUPA file preparation, EFT payments, and voluntary compliance.
Reporting Guidelines

Troubleshooting Tips: Make Your Unclaimed Property Search Work Harder

Even if your first search comes up empty, try these state-recommended adjustments:

Search variants of your name: Include former names, middle initials, hyphenations, and common misspellings.

Search previous addresses: Old addresses often unlock the match you need to prove ownership.

Use the Property ID: If a notice or letter lists a Property ID, enter it to pull up the exact record.

Check business and personal names: Owners who run sole proprietorships may have property under either identity.

Scan the entire list: The same owner can have multiple properties reported by different holders; claim them all together for efficiency.

What Happens After Approval

Approved claims result in payment by state warrant mailed to the address you provided. For securities, you’ll either receive shares transferred to you or the net proceeds if they were sold during routine processing windows. Keep your Claim ID in case you need to ask a follow-up question, and watch your mail for the check.

If You Need Help at Any Point

The State Controller’s Call Center is staffed during business hours, and the Property Owner Advocate’s Office can perform an independent review if you hit a snag that normal processing doesn’t resolve. You can also contact specialized teams if you are a “holder” with technical reporting questions. When you reach out, have your Claim ID and Property ID handy so staff can pull up your file quickly.

Departments and Offices (with Phone Numbers)

Call Center (Property Search, Filing a Claim, Status): (800) 992-4647; (916) 323-2827
Property Owner Advocate’s Office
Holder Report Content Reporting: (916) 464-6284
Holder Outreach and Compliance: (916) 464-6088
Electronic Funds Transfer Accounting: (916) 464-6220
CCP Section 1577 Interest Assessment Accounting: (916) 464-6092
Remitting Securities Accounting: (916) 464-6382
Office of the State Controller Unclaimed Property Division