Frequently Asked Questions

Unclaimed property includes forgotten bank accounts, uncashed checks, insurance payouts, stocks, dividends, utility deposits, and more. When these assets go unclaimed for a period of time (usually 3-5 years), companies are required by law to turn them over to the state. The state then holds the money until the rightful owner claims it.

In California alone, there's over $10 billion in unclaimed property waiting to be claimed. Nationally, the total exceeds $80 billion. About 1 in 10 Americans have unclaimed property, with the average claim being around $1,000.

No! In California and most states, there's no statute of limitations on claiming your property. You can claim money that's been held by the state for decades. The state holds it indefinitely until the rightful owner comes forward.

Yes, heirs and estate representatives can claim unclaimed property belonging to deceased individuals. You'll need to provide documentation proving your relationship and legal right to the property, such as death certificates, probate documents, or letters of administration.

Yes, searching is 100% free. You can search as many times as you want with different names, cities, or variations. We never charge to search the database. If you find property and want help claiming it, we offer optional Claim Reports with everything you need to file.

Just your first and last name. You can optionally add a city to narrow results. We recommend also searching maiden names, previous names, nicknames, and common misspellings of your name.

If you've ever lived, worked, or done business in California, you should absolutely search. Unclaimed property is reported based on your last known address at the time the account became dormant, so money could be waiting in any state where you've had financial accounts.

Our search uses official data from the California State Controller's Office unclaimed property database. This is the same data used by the state's official website, updated regularly to include new property as it's reported. Learn more about our data sources.

Once you find property in your name, you'll need to file a claim with the California State Controller's Office. This involves submitting a claim form along with proof of identity and proof of ownership. Our Claim Report includes step-by-step instructions, required forms, and a personalized checklist of documents you'll need. See our step-by-step guide for more details.

Documentation requirements vary based on the type and value of the property. Generally, you'll need a government-issued ID, proof of Social Security number, and proof of address. For higher-value claims or certain property types, you may need additional documents like old account statements or utility bills from the relevant address.

Most claims are processed within 60-90 days after the state receives all required documentation. Processing times can vary depending on claim volume and complexity. High-value claims or those requiring additional verification may take longer.

The state does not charge any fee to claim your property. You can file claims directly with the California State Controller's Office for free. Our Claim Reports are an optional service that provides organized information and guidance to make the process easier.