Do you have unclaimed money in California? Here’s how you can find out
See if you have unclaimed property in the counties surrounding the Sacramento region
See if you have unclaimed property in the counties surrounding the Sacramento region
Do you think that you might have unclaimed money in California?
If you've ever lost or not received a paycheck, or even overpaid on utilities, your county or state could have some money waiting for you.
State law requires that banks, insurance companies and corporations report and submit customers' property to the state controller's office when there's been no activity on it for about three years.
California State Controller Betty Yee's office then safeguards all unclaimed property once it's turned over to the state.
Oftentimes, unclaimed property, also sometimes referred to as uncashed warrants, includes bank accounts, stocks, uncashed checks, insurance benefits, wages and safe deposit boxes — although it's important to note that this type of property does not include real estate.
For the state, there is no deadline for claiming this property.
However, it's possible to also have unclaimed cash within your county, and counties have different deadlines for when this money can be claimed.
NOTE: Not all counties provide lists for unclaimed warrants.
How to find unclaimed property for the state of California
Once property is handed over to the state controller's office, you won't have to worry about a deadline.
Sometimes, the controller's team will send out letters in an effort to connect owners with their property before it's officially sent to the state government for safekeeping. Those letters often have a deadline, but if a property owner goes past that date, then the property is simply transferred to the state controller's office.
Residents can search for their unclaimed property here, where they will be prompted to enter their first and last name, middle initial, and city.
How to search for unclaimed money in the City of Sacramento
Unclaimed property in the city of Sacramento often belongs to vendors, former employees and utility ratepayers.
Their unclaimed property is in the form of uncashed vendor and payroll checks and unrefunded utility billing account balances.
Anyone who believes they may have unclaimed funds in Sacramento can search for their name or businesses here, where they will also find the amount and what the unclaimed property is from.
There's an important deadline to know. For Sacramento, claims need to be made on or before June 28, 2021.
| MORE | Click here for instructions on how to file a claim
How to search for unclaimed money in Sacramento County
In Sacramento County, unclaimed warrants are those that have been issued and mailed, but remain uncashed six months after being issued. If lost, they can be reissued up to two and a half years from when they were initially issued.
If you have an unclaimed warrant, you'll have to include a signed affidavit, and each claim must have a separate affidavit.
| MORE | Find more information on how to file a claim in Sacramento County here
Sacramento County residents can also search for their name or business below to see if they have any unclaimed money. NOTE: List last updated May 19, 2021.
How to find unclaimed money in Yolo County
In Yolo County, unclaimed funds are held by the Treasurer for three years before being permanently escheated to the County General Fund.
If you believe you may have unclaimed money in Yolo County, you can search for your name or business here.
Anyone who does have unclaimed funds within the county will have to provide documentation to validate the claim, which would include an affidavit along with their claim submission.
| MORE | Find more information on how to file a claim here
How to see if your name is on the list for unclaimed property in San Joquin County
Unclaimed property in San Joaquin County, also known as uncashed county warrants, are checks that have been issued and mailed but uncashed six months after their issue date.
Uncashed warrants can be reissued up to two and a half years from the original issue date, but older warrants will be reissued after being filed with the County Board of Supervisors or Local Board.
Click here to see if your name is on the list of unclaimed warrants in San Joaquin County.
| MORE | Here's the process for claiming uncashed warrants in San Joquin County
How to find unclaimed money in Solano County
In Solano County, unclaimed warrants/checks are transferred to the County general fund after three years.
After the three years are up, the money left unclaimed becomes property of the county and can no longer be claimed.
If you think you may have unclaimed money in Solano County, search for your name or business here.
To file a claim, residents will have to fully complete the unclaimed money affidavit, and submit the proper documents.
| MORE | Find more information on how to make a claim in Solano County here
KCRA 3 Investigates set out to find some of the people who didn't know they had money waiting to be claimed. Tune in to KCRA 3 Tuesday at 11 p.m. for those stories, as well as more information on what you should know about unclaimed money.