Daly City Unclaimed Funds
Finding unclaimed money in Daly City starts with knowing where to look and who holds these funds. The city sits in San Mateo County and has its own finance programs for uncashed checks and forgotten funds. Many residents have money they don't know about sitting with the city, the county, or the state. These funds come from old utility deposits, vendor payments, and other city transactions that never got cashed. You can search for this money at no cost. There is no deadline to claim what is yours. Start your search today to see if Daly City or San Mateo County has unclaimed money with your name on it.
Daly City Quick Facts
Search California State Database
The California State Controller holds unclaimed money from across the state. This is your first stop when looking for unclaimed funds in Daly City. The state gets property from banks, old paychecks, insurance firms, and other holders after three years of no contact. There is no time limit to claim your property once it gets to the state.
Start at www.sco.ca.gov/search_upd.html for the main portal. You can also search at ucpi.sco.ca.gov/en/Property/SearchIndex to see if your name shows up. Type in your full name and hit search. If you find a match, you can file a claim right there on the site. Most claims take between 30 and 180 days to process. You don't need a lawyer. You don't pay fees to claim what is yours.
The state site shows the property type and approximate value. If the claim is simple, you may be able to submit it online through the new claimit.ca.gov portal. Complex claims with heirs or business owners may need extra forms. Call the state at 1-800-992-4647 if you need help with the search or filing process in Daly City.
You must file a claim with proof of your identity. Driver's license and social security card work for most claims. If the amount is $1,000 or more, you need a notary. The state does not charge you to search or claim unclaimed money in Daly City. Don't pay anyone who says they can get your money faster for a fee.
San Mateo County Unclaimed Property
Daly City is in San Mateo County, and the county holds its own unclaimed funds. These come from county operations like tax refunds, vendor checks, and absent heir estates. San Mateo County has a program for money that sits in the county treasury for three years or more. Under California Government Code 50050, the county can hold this money but must try to find the owners first.
The county posts notices of unclaimed money in local papers once a year. If no one claims it, the money may go to the county general fund. You can still file a claim even if the money has been transferred. Visit the San Mateo County Treasurer website at www.smcgov.org/treasurer/absent-and-missing-heir for more on their program. Call them at (650) 363-4580 to ask if they have funds with your name.
San Mateo County handles several types of unclaimed money for Daly City residents:
- Property tax refunds from overpayments or reduced assessments
- Estates from people who die without heirs
- Returned warrants that were never cashed
- Deposits held by county departments
To claim county funds, contact the county treasurer with your name and any details you have about the property. They will tell you what forms to fill out. County claims do not cost you anything to file in Daly City.
Note: San Mateo County sends unclaimed money to the state after three years if no one claims it locally.
Daly City Finance Department
Cities like Daly City keep their own unclaimed money lists. This can include uncashed checks from utility refunds, business license deposits, and vendor payments. The Daly City Finance Department tracks these funds and publishes notices when they build up. Most of the time, these are small amounts, but they still belong to you if your name is on the list.
Call the Daly City Finance Department to ask if they have unclaimed money under your name. The city may not have a full online search tool, but staff can check their records over the phone. If they find a match, they will walk you through the steps to claim the funds. The city sends unclaimed checks to the state after holding them for a set time, so it pays to check locally first in Daly City.
You can reach Daly City Hall at 333 90th Street, Daly City, CA 94015. Look for the finance or accounts payable section. Many California cities now post annual lists of uncashed checks on their websites or in local papers. Check the city website for updates on unclaimed funds held by the City of Daly City.
Other Agencies and Programs
Beyond the state, county, and city, several other agencies may hold unclaimed money for Daly City residents. These funds can add up. Here are key programs to check in California.
CalPERS holds unclaimed retirement benefits if you worked for a state or local agency. Search their database at www3.calpers.ca.gov/a/contact-us/unclaimed-property-search or call 888-225-7377. CalSTRS has a similar program for teachers. Call them at 800-228-5453 to ask about unclaimed property from teaching jobs in Daly City.
The California Franchise Tax Board holds old tax refunds. If you never cashed a refund check, call 800-852-5711 to ask for a new one. Checks over three years old need a claim form. The Employment Development Department has uncashed unemployment and disability checks. File form DE 903SD to claim these funds from your time in Daly City.
If you had a life insurance policy and the company never paid out, check the NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator at eapps.naic.org/life-policy-locator. This helps you find lost policies for people who lived in Daly City. The California Department of Insurance offers a consumer hotline at 1-800-927-4357 for questions about insurance and unclaimed benefits.
Unpaid wages may be in the California Unpaid Wage Fund. The state Division of Labor Standards Enforcement manages this program. Call 1-833-526-4636 to ask if they have wages from an old employer in Daly City. This fund gets money when a business closes or fails to pay workers and the court awards judgment.
Claiming Your Property in Daly City
The claim process for unclaimed money in Daly City depends on where the funds are held. Each agency has its own forms and rules. Most claims are simple if you are the owner. If you are claiming for a deceased relative, you need extra documents to prove your right to the money.
For state claims, start at the State Controller website. Search for your name. If you find property, click on it to start the claim. The site asks for proof of identity like a driver's license or passport. You also need a social security number or tax ID. If the claim is over $1,000, you must get your signature notarized. This prevents fraud and protects you and the state in Daly City.
The State Controller reviews your claim and may ask for more proof. If all looks good, they send a check to the address on file. This can take 30 to 60 days for simple claims. Complex claims with multiple owners or heirs can take up to 180 days. You get updates by email or through the website if you filed online in Daly City.
For county claims in San Mateo County, contact the treasurer directly. Ask what forms you need. Most counties want a copy of your ID and a signed affidavit. If the county already sent the money to the state, they will tell you to file with the State Controller instead. Always file with the agency that currently holds the funds for Daly City.
For city claims, reach out to Daly City Finance or the department that issued the check. They may have you fill out a claim form or provide ID. Small amounts often get approved quickly. Larger amounts may need supervisor approval or extra checks. Be patient and follow the steps they give you in Daly City.
California Unclaimed Money Laws
California law protects your right to claim unclaimed money with no time limit. The state Unclaimed Property Law appears in the Code of Civil Procedure starting at Section 1500. This law tells businesses and agencies when they must turn over property to the state. It also explains how the state holds and returns that property to owners in Daly City.
Under CCP Section 1513, most property is dormant after three years of no contact. Wages go dormant after one year. Money orders take seven years. Once property is dormant, the holder must report it to the State Controller and send the funds to Sacramento. This centralizes the search process for people in Daly City.
The State Controller must hold your property forever under CCP Section 1540. There is no deadline to file a claim. Even if it has been 20 years, you can still get your money. The state does not pay interest on claims, but you get the full reported value. You also pay no fees to file or receive your unclaimed money in Daly City.
Local agencies in Daly City follow Government Code 50050 to 50057 for county and city unclaimed money. These sections let counties and cities hold funds for three years, then transfer them to their general fund or to the state. Even after transfer, you can file a claim. The county or city must reimburse you if they still have the money or can verify the claim in Daly City.
Avoid Unclaimed Money Scams
Scammers target people looking for unclaimed money in Daly City. They may send fake letters claiming you have large sums waiting. They ask for fees up front or personal information like your social security number. Real agencies never ask for payment to claim your own property. Be cautious if someone contacts you out of the blue with news of unclaimed funds.
Legitimate services do exist. Asset locators and heir finders can help track down property, especially if you have a common name or moved around a lot. California law limits their fees to 10 percent of the property value. They must have a written contract with you before they start work. Never sign a contract that gives them more than 10 percent or asks you to pay up front in Daly City.
If you get a call or email about unclaimed money, verify it yourself before responding. Go to the State Controller website and search your name. If you find a match, file the claim directly. If you see nothing, the contact may be a scam. Never give out your social security number or bank details over the phone unless you initiated the call to a known agency in Daly City.
The State Controller does not charge fees. The county does not charge fees. The city does not charge fees. If someone asks you to pay to get your own money back, it is a scam. Report suspicious contacts to the California Attorney General or the State Controller's fraud hotline. Protect your information and claim your money safely in Daly City.
Search Tips for Daly City Residents
Finding all your unclaimed money takes a bit of effort. Start with the state database and work down to county and city. Search under all names you have used over the years. If you changed your name after marriage or for any other reason, search both the old and new name in Daly City.
Search for relatives who have passed away. If your parents, grandparents, or other family members lived in California, they may have left unclaimed property that you can inherit. You need to prove your relationship, but the state and county will help you through the process. Estates without heirs often end up in county programs before going to the state in Daly City.
Check every few years. New property gets added to state and county lists all the time. An old employer may have sent a final check that you never got. A bank may have closed an account with a small balance. A utility may owe you a deposit refund. These small amounts add up if you keep searching in Daly City.
If you owned a business in Daly City, search under the business name too. Vendors may have sent checks that never got cashed. The state may have business tax refunds or other funds tied to your company. Don't forget to search for any DBA names you used while operating in Daly City.
San Mateo County Resources
Daly City sits in San Mateo County. The county treasurer manages unclaimed funds that come from county operations and tax sales. For a full list of San Mateo County programs and contact details, visit the county page on this site. You can file claims for both city and county unclaimed money at the same time.