Details
The California State Controller’s Office holds property that banks, insurers and employers were required to hand over after an account went quiet. Searching for it is free, claiming it is free, and there is no deadline.
What counts as unclaimed property
California’s Unclaimed Property Law requires financial institutions, insurance companies, corporations and certain other entities to report and transfer customer property to the State Controller when there has been no activity for a period of time — generally three years. Common types include bank accounts, stocks, uncashed checks, insurance benefits, wages and the contents of safe deposit boxes.
The official site, and only the official site
Search at claimit.ca.gov, the State Controller’s own portal. Searching and claiming there is always free.
This matters because paid “finder” services exist that charge a percentage to tell you something the state will tell you for nothing and to file a claim you can file yourself. The State Controller processes claims free of charge, and owners or heirs can claim directly without any service charge or fee.
How to search
Search your name, and then search the variations: maiden and married names, middle initial in and out, misspellings, and any former address. Property is indexed as the holder reported it, which is not always how you would write it. Search the names of relatives whose estates you handle, too.
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There is no deadline
Once property has been transferred to the State Controller’s Office there is no deadline for claiming it and no fee. Money that went unclaimed decades ago is still claimable.
If you believe property is there but cannot find it
The State Controller’s Unclaimed Property Division can be reached at (800) 992-4647 for help when you have reason to think property was transferred but it does not appear in the search.
What claiming involves
A claim requires proof that you are the owner or the owner’s heir — typically identity documents and something tying you to the address or account the property was reported under. Claims for a deceased owner’s property need documentation of your right to it.
Program details are set by the State Controller’s Office. Start at the official portal above.