A Sacramento woman searched her late father’s name on a state database last year. She found $47,000 from a life insurance policy nobody knew existed. The money had been sitting there for nine years.
A San Diego man discovered $12,000 from a 401(k) at a company he left 15 years ago. A Fresno family recovered $3,200 from their grandmother’s estate. That money had been waiting 11 years for someone to claim it.
These are not unusual cases. The State of California is currently holding over $15 billion in unclaimed money. State records show that 1 in 7 California residents has money waiting to be claimed.
The problem? Nobody tells you about it. You have to search for it yourself.
Check If California Is Holding Your Money in 2026
Use our free unclaimed money search to check the California State Controller’s database. You will see instantly if there are any unclaimed properties in your name and the total estimated value.
What Is Unclaimed Property in California?
When a bank account goes dormant, a company cannot locate someone they owe money to, or a check goes uncashed for too long, California law requires that money to be turned over to the state. The California State Controller’s Office holds these funds indefinitely until the rightful owner comes forward.
This is not a government benefit or assistance program. This is your money. The state is simply holding it because the original company could not find you.
California’s unclaimed property database contains over 75 million individual records. Some are small refund checks worth a few dollars. Others are six-figure estates and forgotten investment accounts.
How Does Money Become Unclaimed?
You moved and mail got lost. A utility deposit refund, final paycheck, or insurance check was mailed to an old address. After failed delivery attempts, the money went to the state. If you have moved more than twice in the past decade, something probably did not follow you.
A company changed ownership. Your bank got acquired. Your old employer merged with another firm. The insurance company rebranded. During these transitions, customer accounts slip through the cracks. Older and inactive accounts are especially vulnerable.
You forgot about an account. That savings account from your twenties you stopped using? California requires banks to turn over accounts with no activity for three or more years. The same applies to old brokerage accounts, matured CDs, and 401(k) accounts from jobs you barely remember.
A relative passed away without telling anyone. Life insurance policies are the biggest source of unclaimed money. Beneficiaries often have no idea a policy exists. The insurance company cannot locate them, so the payout goes to the state. Sometimes it sits there for decades before family members discover it.
A check went uncashed. Class action settlements. Dividend payments. Security deposit refunds. Vendor credits. If you ever set aside a check to deposit later and then forgot about it, that money may be waiting for you right now.
Types of Unclaimed Property California Holds
| Bank Accounts | Checking, savings, CDs dormant for 3+ years |
| Insurance Proceeds | Life insurance payouts, policy refunds, annuities |
| Investments | Stocks, bonds, mutual funds, uncashed dividends |
| Wages | Final paychecks, commissions, expense reimbursements |
| Retirement Funds | Old 401(k) accounts, pension distributions, IRAs |
| Deposits | Utility deposits, rental deposits, membership fees |
| Refunds | Tax refunds, overpayments, vendor credits |
| Safe Deposit Boxes | Cash and contents from abandoned boxes |
| Legal Funds | Court settlements, escrow funds, bail money |
You Are More Likely to Have Unclaimed Money If…
You have ever lived in California. Even if it was 20 or 30 years ago. Unclaimed property is reported based on your last known address. People who left California in the 1990s or early 2000s are among the most likely to have funds waiting.
You have changed your name. Marriage, divorce, or any other reason. Run an unclaimed money search under every name you have ever used. Maiden names are an extremely common source of forgotten property.
You have a common last name. Smith, Johnson, Garcia, Lee, Williams. These names have thousands of unclaimed properties in the California database.
A family member has passed away. Heirs can claim unclaimed property belonging to deceased relatives. Many families discover money years after a death, especially from life insurance policies or old bank accounts the deceased never mentioned.
You have worked for multiple employers. Each job change creates opportunities for final paychecks and retirement funds to get lost. If you have had five or more employers over your career, you should definitely search.
You have moved frequently. Every move multiplies the chances of important mail getting lost. If you have moved three or more times in the past 15 years, you are in a high-probability group for having unclaimed money.
California Unclaimed Property Statistics
| Total funds held by the state | $15+ billion |
| Individual property records | 75+ million |
| Californians with unclaimed funds | 1 in 7 residents |
| Typical claim value | $200 to $500 |
| Claims over $5,000 | About 2% of total |
| Largest individual claim paid | $7.7 million |
| Oldest property returned | Over 40 years |
| Deadline to claim | None. Held indefinitely. |
Why Finding Unclaimed Money Is Only Half the Battle
Here is what most people do not realize: discovering you have unclaimed property is just the first step. Actually claiming it requires specific information and documentation. The requirements vary depending on what type of property you are claiming.
Bank accounts need different documentation than life insurance payouts. Stock dividends have different requirements than wages or utility deposits. Claims for deceased relatives are more complex than claims for yourself.
And if you have a common name, you may find dozens or even hundreds of records in the database. Figuring out which ones are actually yours, and then proving it to the state, takes research and time.
This is where most people give up. They see they have money waiting, get excited, then realize it is going to take hours to sort through everything. So they put it off. The money stays unclaimed.
What You Get When You Unlock Full Results
Our free search shows how many properties match your name and the total estimated value. When you unlock full results, you get everything organized and ready for action:
Your Property IDs. The state requires specific Property IDs to file any claim. Your report includes every ID linked to your search, formatted and ready to use.
Holder Information. The company that reported each property, plus the address they had on file. This helps you confirm which properties are actually yours and proves your connection during the verification process.
Property-Specific Claim Guides. Claiming a bank account is different from claiming life insurance or stock shares. You get instructions tailored to your specific property types, not generic advice that may not apply to your situation.
Document Checklists. Exactly what paperwork you need to gather, based on what you are claiming. No guessing. No rejected claims because you submitted the wrong documents.
Common Rejection Reasons. What causes claims to get denied, and how to avoid those mistakes for your specific situation.
Downloadable PDF Report. Everything in one document you can save, print, and reference throughout the claim process.
How to Protect Yourself from Unclaimed Property Scams
Unclaimed property scams are common. Know the warning signs:
The state will never contact you first. If you receive an unsolicited call, text, or letter saying you have unclaimed money and asking for payment or personal information, it is a scam. You have to search for your own property. The government does not reach out.
Never pay upfront to release your money. No legitimate service asks for payment before showing you what you have. Search first, see your results, then decide if you want help claiming it.
Watch out for heir finder letters. Some companies search public records, find unclaimed property, then contact potential heirs offering to help for 30% to 35% of the value. This is legal but often unnecessary. You can usually claim the same property yourself for far less cost and effort.
Only file claims through the official state website. The legitimate California State Controller website is claimit.ca.gov. Our full results include step-by-step instructions, your Property IDs, and document checklists so you have everything ready when you file. Be careful of lookalike URLs designed to steal your information or charge unnecessary fees.
Frequently Asked Questions About California Unclaimed Property
Is there a deadline to claim my property?
No. California holds unclaimed property indefinitely. It does not expire. However, the sooner you claim it, the sooner the money is back in your hands.
I moved out of California years ago. Can I still claim?
Yes. The entire claim process is online. You can claim California unclaimed property from anywhere in the world.
Can I claim property for a deceased family member?
Yes. Heirs can claim unclaimed property belonging to deceased relatives. The process requires documentation proving your relationship, but it is done regularly.
What if lots of people have my same name?
This is common with popular names. The full results show holder names and addresses for each property, helping you identify which ones actually match your history. Only claim properties where the details match you.
How long does it take to get my money after I file a claim?
Processing times depend on claim complexity. Simple claims typically take 60 to 90 days. Larger amounts, older properties, or claims involving estates can take six months or longer.
Is searching for unclaimed money really free?
Yes, our initial search is completely free. You see how many properties match your name and the total value before paying anything. Full property details and claim guidance are available for a small fee based on your total property value.
Find Your Unclaimed Money Now
It takes less than 30 seconds to find out if California is holding money in your name. One in seven Californians has unclaimed property. Most of them have no idea.
Do not be one of them.
Disclosure: Full property details and claim guidance cost 2% of your total property value (minimum $2.99, maximum $49.99). Filing a claim through the official state website at claimit.ca.gov is always free. We are not affiliated with the California State Controller’s Office or any government agency.
