Find Oakland Unclaimed Property
Oakland residents can search for unclaimed money through the city, Alameda County, and the California State Controller. The city itself holds uncashed checks and other unclaimed funds from city operations. Alameda County runs an escheatment program for uncashed warrants. The state controller holds billions in lost property from banks, employers, and insurance companies across California. You should search all three sources to find all money that may belong to you. The search takes only a few minutes and is free. Many people in Oakland have funds waiting and do not know it until they look. Old bank accounts, final paychecks, utility deposits, and insurance payments are common sources of unclaimed money.
Oakland Quick Facts
City of Oakland Unclaimed Funds
The City of Oakland holds unclaimed money from its own operations. This includes uncashed checks issued by city departments, overpayments, and deposits that were never claimed. The city maintains a stale check page where you can search for funds. If you or your business had dealings with the city and never received payment, or if you lost a check, you may have money waiting at the city finance department.
You can search for Oakland city unclaimed funds on the city's stale check page. This page lists checks that were issued but never cashed. If you find a check in your name, contact the city finance department to request a replacement. The city does not charge a fee to claim your own money.
To claim city-held funds, you may need to provide proof of identity and your connection to the uncashed check. This could include a driver's license, Social Security number, or documents showing you did business with the city. Contact the city at alamb@oaklandca.gov or call the finance department for instructions on how to file a claim.
Alameda County Unclaimed Property
Oakland is in Alameda County. The county runs its own unclaimed property program for uncashed warrants and other funds. The Alameda County Auditor-Controller conducts an annual escheatment process for stale-dated warrants. These are checks issued by the county that were never cashed. Under Government Code Section 50050, unclaimed money that remains in the county treasury for three years may become county property after published notice.
The county publishes a list of unclaimed warrants each year. If you have an old check from Alameda County that you never cashed, it may be on the list. You can file a claim with the county treasurer-tax collector at 1221 Oak Street, Room 131, Oakland, CA 94612. The phone number is (510) 272-6800. There is no fee to claim your own money from the county.
Items under $15 do not need to be published for escheatment to occur. This means small unclaimed amounts may escheat to the county without public notice. If you think the county owes you money but you do not see it on the published list, contact the treasurer-tax collector office to ask about unpublished claims.
Note: Alameda County holds unclaimed funds for three years before they escheat to the county general fund.
California State Controller Unclaimed Property
Most unclaimed money in Oakland ends up with the California State Controller. The state holds over $11 billion in unclaimed property from across California. Banks, insurance companies, employers, and other businesses must turn over unclaimed property to the state after a dormancy period. For most bank accounts, this period is three years. Paychecks must be reported after one year. Money orders wait seven years and traveler's checks fifteen years. These rules come from Code of Civil Procedure section 1513.
Search for your unclaimed property at the state controller's property search database. The search is free. Enter your name or business name to see if the state is holding funds for you. The database shows the property type, the business that reported it, and an estimated value. If you find property, you can file a claim online in many cases.
There is no deadline for claiming property from the state. You can file a claim years or decades after the property was reported. If you lived or worked in Oakland at any time, even if you moved away, you may have unclaimed money waiting under your name. The state holds it until you claim it.
The state processes claims for free. You do not need to hire anyone to get your money back. If you receive a letter from an asset locator or heir finder, know that they can charge up to 10 percent of the property value. You can skip them and file your own claim at the state controller's unclaimed property page at no cost. Simple cash claims take 30 to 60 days. Complex claims may take up to 180 days.
How to File a Claim
The claim process depends on which agency holds your property. For state-held property, start by searching the state controller's claim filing page. When you find property in your name, click on it to start a claim. The site will tell you if you can file online or if you need to mail in a paper claim. Online filing is faster and you get updates by email.
You must prove you are the rightful owner. The type of proof depends on the property and the amount. For claims under $1,000, you may only need to provide your name, address, and Social Security number. Claims of $1,000 or more require a notarized signature. If you are claiming on behalf of a deceased person, you need a death certificate and proof that you are the legal heir. Business claims require articles of incorporation or other business documents.
Forms you may need include:
- Claim Affirmation Form (generated from search results)
- Declaration Under Probate Code 13101 (for estates under $166,250)
- Table of Heirship (for claims by heirs)
- Safe Deposit Box Property Release Form (for box contents)
Mail paper claims to Chief, Unclaimed Property Division, P.O. Box 942850, Sacramento, CA 94250-5873. You can also drop off claims in person at 10600 White Rock Road, Suite 141, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670. The controller will review your claim and send a check if it is approved. Your property is removed from the public search while the claim is being processed.
For City of Oakland funds, contact the finance department at alamb@oaklandca.gov. For Alameda County funds, contact the treasurer-tax collector at (510) 272-6800. Each agency has its own claim process and requirements.
What Types of Property Go Unclaimed
Unclaimed property takes many forms. The most common is a forgotten bank account. Checking and savings accounts become unclaimed when there is no activity for three years and the bank cannot reach the owner. This often happens when people move and forget to update their address. Credit unions and certificates of deposit also turn into unclaimed property.
Uncashed paychecks are another big source. Employers must turn over paychecks after one year if they cannot locate the employee. A final check may get lost in the mail or sent to an old address. If you worked in Oakland and moved without giving a forwarding address, your last check may be with the state now.
Insurance proceeds often go unclaimed. Life insurance pays out when someone dies, but beneficiaries may not know a policy exists. Health insurance refunds, auto insurance claim checks, and property insurance overpayments also end up as unclaimed property. California law requires insurers to check the Death Master File, but many policies still slip through the cracks.
Other common types include:
- Stock dividends and mutual fund distributions
- Utility deposits from closed accounts
- Escrow accounts and earnest money
- Court deposits and legal settlements
- Oil, gas, and mineral royalties
- Safe deposit box contents
- Matured savings bonds
City and county unclaimed funds are usually uncashed checks. The City of Oakland may hold checks for permits, refunds, or vendor payments. Alameda County may hold checks for property tax refunds, payroll, or other county services. If you had any financial dealings with the city or county and never received payment, check both agencies for unclaimed funds.
Contact Information for Unclaimed Property
For state-held unclaimed property, contact the California State Controller's Unclaimed Property Division. Call the toll-free hotline at 1-800-992-4647 from anywhere in the United States. Outside the country, call (916) 323-2827. Mail claims to P.O. Box 942850, Sacramento, CA 94250-5873. The public counter is at 10600 White Rock Road, Suite 141, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670 for in-person visits.
| State Controller | California State Controller - Unclaimed Property Division |
|---|---|
| Phone | (800) 992-4647 |
| Outside U.S. | (916) 323-2827 |
| Website | sco.ca.gov/search_upd.html |
For City of Oakland unclaimed funds, contact the finance department at alamb@oaklandca.gov or visit the city's stale check page. For Alameda County unclaimed property, contact the treasurer-tax collector at (510) 272-6800. The county office is at 1221 Oak Street, Room 131, Oakland, CA 94612.
Other Unclaimed Money Sources
Beyond the city, county, and state controller, other agencies may hold unclaimed funds for Oakland residents. CalPERS holds unclaimed retirement benefits for state and local government employees. Many Oakland city employees and other public workers in Alameda County have CalPERS accounts. Search at the CalPERS unclaimed property page or call 1-888-225-7377.
CalSTRS holds unclaimed benefits for teachers. If you taught in Oakland Unified School District or another school in the area, you may have unclaimed retirement funds with CalSTRS. Call 1-800-228-5453 or visit calstrs.com/unclaimed-property to search.
The California Franchise Tax Board holds unclaimed tax refunds. If a refund check was not cashed within six months, you need to request a new check. For refunds one to three years old, send a letter to the board. For refunds over three years old, you must file a Replacement Warrant Claim form. Call the board at 1-800-852-5711 for help.
The Employment Development Department holds unclaimed unemployment and disability insurance benefits. If you have an uncashed check from EDD, file form DE 903SD to claim it. There is no filing fee. Call 1-800-300-5616 for unemployment insurance or 1-800-480-3287 for disability insurance.
The Department of Industrial Relations holds unpaid wages in the Unpaid Wage Fund. This fund was created in 1975 for wages that employers could not pay due to bankruptcy or other reasons. Call the toll-free line at 1-833-526-4636 for information.
For lost life insurance policies, use the National Association of Insurance Commissioners Life Insurance Policy Locator. Visit the NAIC policy locator service to search for policies nationwide. This is helpful if a family member died and you think there may be a life insurance policy but do not know which company issued it.
Alameda County Unclaimed Money
Oakland is in Alameda County. The county holds unclaimed warrants and other funds under state escheatment law. For more on county programs, claim procedures, and contact information, visit the Alameda County unclaimed money page.