San Diego Unclaimed Property Search

San Diego holds over $916,000 in unclaimed money for more than 800 individuals and businesses. The city finance department maintains a searchable list you can check for free. San Diego County runs its own program for county funds from estates and tax sales. The state holds billions more in lost property from bank accounts, wages, and insurance. All three programs let you search and claim at no cost. Most San Diego residents find money they forgot or never knew about. No deadline exists to claim your funds once they appear in any database.

City of San Diego Unclaimed Monies

The City of San Diego finance department holds over $916,000 in unclaimed funds. More than 800 people and businesses have money waiting to be claimed. The city keeps these funds from uncashed checks and old payments that were never collected. When you get a city check but never cash it, the money sits in the city account. After a set time the city lists your name on its unclaimed monies page.

Search the city list at sandiego.gov/finance/unclaimed. The page shows current unclaimed property by name. If you find a match, contact the city by email at unclaimedmonies@sandiego.gov or call 619-236-6310. The city walks you through the claim process. You need to prove your identity and show you are the rightful owner. Most claims finish quickly once the city has your paperwork.

The city charges no fee to claim your money. You file directly with the finance department. No lawyer or third-party service is needed. The city issues a check to your current address after approving your claim. Processing time varies but most people get their money within a few weeks. Keep a record of your claim in case you need to follow up.

San Diego County Unclaimed Money

San Diego County maintains unclaimed funds from several sources. The county treasurer holds money from estates of deceased persons without known heirs. When someone dies and no relatives come forward, the estate goes through probate. If unclaimed after a set time, the funds transfer to the county. Tax sale excess proceeds also end up with the county. When property sells at auction for more than the owed taxes, the extra money belongs to the former owner. If no one claims it, the county keeps it.

The county follows California Government Code 50050 for escheating unclaimed funds. After three years and proper public notice, the county may take ownership of money that remains unclaimed. You can still file a claim even after the county takes title. The county reviews your proof and returns the money if your claim is valid.

Check the county unclaimed money page at sdttc.com/content/ttc/en/tax-collection/Unclaimed-Money.html for more info. Call the San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector at 1-877-829-4732 to ask about funds in your name. The county can search their records and tell you if they hold money for you. Claims are free. The county does not charge processing fees when you claim your own funds.

Note: County programs are separate from city and state databases, so check all three sources.

California State Unclaimed Property

The California State Controller holds the largest pool of unclaimed money. Over $11 billion sits in the state database waiting for owners. This includes old bank accounts, uncashed wages, stock dividends, insurance proceeds, and safe deposit box contents. Banks and businesses send funds to the state after three years of no contact with the owner. The state keeps your money safe indefinitely with no claim deadline.

Search at ucpi.sco.ca.gov/en/Property/SearchIndex by entering your name. The system shows all matches statewide. Many San Diego residents appear because the city has over a million people. Try different name formats like your maiden name or nicknames. Search for deceased relatives too. You can claim on behalf of an estate if you are the legal heir.

When you find property in your name, click to see details. The state shows the holder who reported it and the approximate amount. Simple claims under $1,000 can often be filed online with just an ID upload. Larger claims need a notarized signature. Download the Claim Affirmation Form, get it notarized, and mail it to Chief, Unclaimed Property Division, P.O. Box 942850, Sacramento, CA 94250-5873. Most claims process in 30 to 60 days. Complex cases take up to 180 days.

How to Search All Sources

Start with the city list since San Diego has a large fund. Check if your name appears on the city unclaimed monies page. Then look at the county site for estate and tax sale funds. Finally search the state database, which covers the widest range of property types. Use your full legal name when searching. Include middle names and any suffixes like Jr. or Sr. Some systems match names exactly.

Try old addresses when searching the state system. If you moved from another part of California to San Diego, your property might be tagged with your former city. Searching by name alone picks up records from all addresses. Write down property ID numbers and holder names for matches you find. This info helps when you file claims later.

Search for family members who lived in San Diego. Parents, grandparents, or other relatives may have unclaimed money. If they died, you can claim as an heir with proper documentation. The state has forms to prove heirship. Small estates can use simplified procedures without full probate court.

Filing Claims for San Diego Unclaimed Money

Each program has its own claim process. For city funds, email unclaimedmonies@sandiego.gov or call 619-236-6310. The city tells you what documents to send. Usually you need a claim form and ID copy. Fill out the form completely. Sign where indicated. Send it to the address provided by the city. They verify your identity and mail a check if approved.

For county funds, contact the treasurer office at 1-877-829-4732. Ask about the specific property you want to claim. The county explains their claim process and sends you forms if needed. Provide proof of identity and ownership. For estate funds you may need death certificates and probate documents. The county reviews your claim and issues a check once they verify everything.

State claims start online at the State Controller website. Find property in your name and click the claim button. Upload your ID and submit the claim electronically if it qualifies. For larger amounts or certain property types, print the form and get it notarized. Mail the signed form with ID copies to Sacramento. The state sends updates by mail or email depending on what you choose during the claim process.

Keep copies of all documents you submit. If mail gets lost, you can resend without starting over. Track your state claim online using the claim status tool. For city and county claims, call after a few weeks if you have not heard back. Most claims finish within 30 to 90 days depending on complexity and office workload.

Other Unclaimed Funds in San Diego

The Franchise Tax Board holds unclaimed state tax refunds. If your California tax refund check expired after six months, you can request a new one. Refunds under three years old need a letter to the FTB with your name, tax year, and Social Security number. Older refunds require form 3900A or 3900B. Processing takes 8 weeks to 18 months depending on age. Call 800-852-5711 for help.

The Employment Development Department keeps unclaimed unemployment and disability benefit checks. If you lost a check or it expired, file form DE 903SD for a replacement. Download it at edd.ca.gov. No fee applies. Call 800-300-5616 for unemployment or 800-480-3287 for disability. EDD can search by your Social Security number to find unclaimed benefits.

CalPERS holds retirement funds for former public employees. If you worked for a California government agency and left without claiming your account, search at www3.calpers.ca.gov/a/contact-us/unclaimed-property-search. Teachers check CalSTRS at calstrs.com/unclaimed-property. Both systems keep funds indefinitely with no claim deadline.

Finding Lost Life Insurance Policies

Many San Diego families lose track of life insurance when a relative dies. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners runs a free search at eapps.naic.org/life-policy-locator. Enter the deceased person's name and info. The system searches multiple insurance companies at once. If a policy exists, they tell you how to claim it.

Some insurance proceeds end up with the State Controller if the company cannot find beneficiaries. Search the state database using the deceased person's name. If the insurance company reported the funds to California, they appear in results. Claim as the beneficiary by providing a death certificate and proof of your relationship to the insured.

For insurance help, call the California Department of Insurance at 800-927-4357. They answer questions about policies and claims. They can verify if a company is licensed and provide contact info. Old policies remain valid even if the company changed names or merged over the years.

Protecting Yourself from Scams

You may get a letter from an heir finder or asset locator. These companies search public databases and contact people with unclaimed money. They offer help in exchange for a fee, usually 10 percent. California law allows them, but you do not need their services. You can search and claim for free on your own. If you choose to hire one, read the contract and know you have five days to cancel after signing.

Never pay upfront to claim unclaimed property. Government agencies do not charge fees before you receive your funds. If someone asks for payment to search or file a claim, it is a scam. The city, county, and state all process claims at no cost. Be wary of emails or calls asking for bank account numbers or Social Security numbers. Only give sensitive info to verified government offices.

Check website URLs before entering personal data. Official California sites end in .ca.gov. The State Controller site is sco.ca.gov. San Diego city sites use sandiego.gov. County sites have sdttc.com for the treasurer office. If a site looks similar but has a different ending, it may be fake. Report scams to the California Attorney General at 800-952-5225 or online at oag.ca.gov.

Contact Info for San Diego Unclaimed Money

For city funds, visit sandiego.gov/finance/unclaimed or email unclaimedmonies@sandiego.gov. Call 619-236-6310 for questions. The city finance office is at 202 C Street, San Diego, CA 92101. You can visit in person during business hours to file a claim.

For county funds, call the San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector at 1-877-829-4732. Visit their page at sdttc.com/content/ttc/en/tax-collection/Unclaimed-Money.html. County offices are in downtown San Diego. Staff can help you search records and file claims.

For state unclaimed property, call 800-992-4647 from the U.S. Outside the country, dial 916-323-2827. Mail claims to Chief, Unclaimed Property Division, P.O. Box 942850, Sacramento, CA 94250-5873. Visit in person at 10600 White Rock Road, Suite 141, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670.