San Jose Unclaimed Property

San Jose residents can search for unclaimed money through the city finance department, Santa Clara County, and the state. The city holds uncashed checks and old payments from city operations. Santa Clara County maintains an online search tool for property tax refunds and other county funds. The California State Controller has the largest database with billions in lost property from banks, wages, and insurance. All three programs let you search and claim at no cost. Most people in San Jose find money they forgot about or never knew existed. No deadline exists to file a claim once your name appears in any database.

City of San Jose Finance Department

The City of San Jose tracks unclaimed funds through its finance department. These funds come from uncashed city checks issued to residents, vendors, and businesses. When the city sends a payment but you never cash it, the check becomes stale after six months. The money stays in a city account until you claim it. The city has no deadline for filing claims once your name is listed.

Contact the San Jose finance department at (408) 535-7000 or email Finance@sanjoseca.gov to ask about unclaimed funds in your name. The finance staff can search their records and tell you if they hold money for you. If a match exists, they explain the claim process and send you the required forms. You need to provide proof of identity like a driver's license or state ID card.

No fee is charged by the city to claim your money. You file directly with the finance department without needing a lawyer or third party. The city processes claims quickly once they verify your identity. Most claims finish within a few weeks. Keep a copy of your claim form in case you need to follow up later.

Santa Clara County Unclaimed Property

San Jose is the county seat of Santa Clara County. The county runs extensive unclaimed property programs separate from the city. These include property tax refunds from overpayments or assessment reductions. When the county sends you a refund and you do not cash it, the money goes into an unclaimed fund. The county also holds funds from estates of deceased persons without known heirs.

Santa Clara County has an online search tool for property tax refunds. Visit eservices.sccgov.org/Propertytaxrefunds/ to search by name or property address. The system shows if the county holds a refund for you. Results include the amount and when it was issued. If you find a match, follow the county instructions to file a claim.

The county also posts information at dtac.santaclaracounty.gov/unclaimed-monies/find-unclaimed-property-tax. Contact the Santa Clara County Department of Tax and Collections for help with claims. The county follows California Government Code 50050 for escheating unclaimed funds. Claims are free. The county charges no processing fee when you claim your own money.

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

California State Unclaimed Property

The largest source of unclaimed money for San Jose residents is the state. The California State Controller holds over $11 billion in lost property. 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 owner contact. 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 Jose residents appear because the city has over a million people and is a major tech center with lots of stock and wage activity. Try different name formats like your maiden name or nicknames. Search for deceased relatives too.

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.

How to Search All Sources

Start by contacting the city finance department. Ask if they hold unclaimed funds in your name. Then search the county property tax refund tool online. 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. Some systems match names exactly, so try different formats.

Try old addresses when searching the state system. If you moved from another part of California to San Jose, 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 information helps when you file claims later.

Search for family members who lived in San Jose. 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 Jose Unclaimed Money

Each program has its own claim process. For city funds, contact the finance department at (408) 535-7000. They send you a claim form and explain what documents to provide. Fill out the form completely. Attach a copy of your ID. Sign where indicated. Send it to the address provided. The city verifies your identity and mails a check if approved.

For county property tax refunds, use the online tool first. If you find a refund, the site tells you how to claim it. Some refunds can be claimed online while others need a paper form. Follow the county instructions and provide requested documents. The county reviews your claim and sends a check to your mailing address once approved.

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.

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.

Other Unclaimed Money Sources

The Franchise Tax Board holds unclaimed state tax refunds. If your refund check expired, 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. Call 800-852-5711 for help.

The Employment Development Department keeps unclaimed unemployment and disability benefit checks. File form DE 903SD at edd.ca.gov for a replacement. No fee applies. Call 800-300-5616 for unemployment or 800-480-3287 for disability.

CalPERS holds retirement funds for former public employees. 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.

Avoiding Scams

You may get letters from heir finders offering to help for a 10 percent fee. You do not need them. You can search and claim for free on your own. Never pay upfront to claim unclaimed property. Government agencies do not charge fees before you receive funds. Check website URLs before entering personal data. Official California sites end in .ca.gov. Report scams to the California Attorney General at 800-952-5225 or at oag.ca.gov.

Contact Information

For city funds, contact the San Jose Finance Department at (408) 535-7000 or Finance@sanjoseca.gov. For county property tax refunds, search at eservices.sccgov.org/Propertytaxrefunds/. For state unclaimed property, call 800-992-4647. Mail claims to Chief, Unclaimed Property Division, P.O. Box 942850, Sacramento, CA 94250-5873.