Claim types
Unclaimed property is money or another financial asset a business has lost contact with its owner about, usually after about three years with no activity. The business must then report it and send it to the California State Controller’s Office, which holds it for the owner.
Once the State Controller holds it, there is no deadline to claim it and the state charges nothing to return it. California’s unclaimed property law does not cover real estate.
Checking and savings balances, certificates of deposit and closed-account balances that were never paid out.
Final paychecks, vendor and refund checks, cashier’s and money orders that were issued but never cashed.
Shares and unpaid dividends from companies and brokerages that could no longer reach the shareholder. These are security-related claims and usually take longer.
Life insurance benefits, annuity payments and policy refunds that went unpaid.
Utility and rental deposits, overpayments, store credits and other money owed back to a customer.
Contents of boxes whose rent went unpaid and whose holder could not be found.
Money left to someone who has died, which their heirs or the estate can claim.
Who is claiming decides what the state asks for. The lists below are what each claim usually needs; the exact set depends on the property and the amount, and we tell you precisely what yours needs before you upload anything.
You are the person named on the property.
Documents usually needed
Timing: Cash-only owner claims are often processed in 30 to 60 days once the state has a complete package.
The owner has died and you are entitled to their property — as an heir, a beneficiary or the estate’s representative.
Documents usually needed
Timing: Usually runs closer to the state’s full 180-day review window.
The property belongs to a company, partnership or other organization and you are authorized to act for it.
Documents usually needed
Timing: Usually runs closer to the state’s full 180-day review window.
The property is held jointly, such as a joint bank account.
Documents usually needed
Timing: Depends on the property type; every owner’s paperwork has to be complete before the state decides.
Not sure which applies to you? See who can claim, or read how a claim runs from search to payout.
The State Controller’s Office explains the rules for recovery services in its guidance on investigators.
The search is free, takes about thirty seconds and needs no account.