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California unclaimed money
Run by the California State Controller's Office, Unclaimed Property Division. Search and claim only on the official site:
Search California unclaimed property (State Controller)
Phone: (800) 992-4647
- Cost
- Free.
The State Controller's Office processes unclaimed property claims free of charge. Owners or heirs can claim their property directly from us without any service charges or fees.
- How to claim
- File a claim with the State Controller's Office: search for your property on its site and start a claim there, or call (800) 992-4647 with questions.
- Heirs
- You may file for a deceased owner's property if you are an heir, trustee, or personal representative/executor/administrator; the filing instructions list the documents needed.
- Name changes
- Provide documents such as a marriage certificate or court documents showing you are the person named on the account.
- Investigators (heir finders)
- You are NOT required to use one. By law an investigator may not charge more than 10% of the value returned to you (California Code of Civil Procedure Section 1582); the only exception is County Probated Estates. The Controller notes that legitimate businesses don't expect payment until the property is returned to you.
Checked against the official sources below on 2026-10-07. Rules change, so confirm on the official site before you act.
Official sources
See also: the scam checklist and how to claim.