Find San Mateo Unclaimed Property

San Mateo residents have three main places to search for unclaimed money. The city finance department holds uncashed checks from city operations. San Mateo County runs a program for absent and missing heirs with county funds. The California State Controller maintains the largest database with billions in lost property from banks, wages, stock, and insurance. All three programs let you search and claim at no cost. Most people in San Mateo find money they forgot about or never knew existed. No deadline exists to file a claim once your name appears in any of these systems.

City of San Mateo Unclaimed Funds

The City of San Mateo posts unclaimed funds through its finance department. These funds come from uncashed city checks issued to residents, vendors, and businesses. When a city check sits uncashed for six months, it becomes stale-dated. The money goes into an unclaimed account until you file a claim. The city keeps these funds indefinitely with no deadline for owners to come forward.

Contact the City of San Mateo finance department at (650) 522-7100 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 send you a claim form. You need to provide proof of identity like a driver's license or state ID card. Fill out the form completely and return it to the city.

No fee applies when you claim city funds. You do not need a lawyer or third-party service. File directly with the finance department. Most claims finish within a few weeks once the city verifies your identity. Keep a copy of your claim form in case you need to follow up later.

San Mateo County Unclaimed Property

San Mateo is the county seat of San Mateo County. The county runs an unclaimed property program for absent and missing heirs. These funds come from estates of people who died without known relatives. After proper probate procedures and public notice, unclaimed estate funds may transfer to the county. Heirs can still claim years later by proving their relationship to the deceased.

The county treasurer handles these funds under California Government Code 50050. Contact the San Mateo County Treasurer at (650) 363-4580 to ask about unclaimed property in your name. You can also check the county website at smcgov.org/treasurer/absent-and-missing-heir for information about the absent and missing heir program.

Claims are free. The county charges no processing fee when you claim your own money. The treasurer staff can explain what documents you need to prove ownership or heirship. For estate claims you typically need a death certificate and proof of your relationship to the deceased. The county reviews claims and issues checks to verified owners.

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

California State Controller Unclaimed Property

The largest source of unclaimed money for San Mateo 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. 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.

Searching for San Mateo Unclaimed Money

Start by checking all three sources. Contact the city finance department first to ask if they hold funds in your name. Then check with the county treasurer about heir 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.

Try old addresses when searching the state system. If you moved from another part of California to San Mateo, 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.

Search for family members who lived in San Mateo. Parents, grandparents, or other relatives may have unclaimed money. If they died, you can claim as an heir with proper documentation. The state and county both have processes for heir claims.

How to File Claims

For city funds, contact the finance department at (650) 522-7100. They send you a claim form and explain what documents to provide. Fill it out completely. Attach a copy of your ID. Sign where indicated. Send it to the city. They verify your identity and mail a check if approved.

For county heir funds, contact the treasurer at (650) 363-4580. The county explains their claim process for absent and missing heir funds. You need to prove your relationship to the deceased if claiming an estate. Provide death certificates and probate documents as requested. The county reviews your claim and sends a check once verified.

State claims start online at the State Controller website. Find property in your name and click the claim button. Upload your ID and submit electronically if the claim qualifies. For larger amounts, 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. 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.

Additional Unclaimed Money Sources

The Franchise Tax Board holds unclaimed state tax refunds. If your refund check expired, request a new one. Refunds under three years old need a letter to the FTB. Older refunds require form 3900A or 3900B. Call 800-852-5711 for help.

The Employment Development Department keeps unclaimed benefit checks. File form DE 903SD at edd.ca.gov for a replacement. 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.

Lost Life Insurance Policies

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners runs a free search at eapps.naic.org/life-policy-locator. Enter the deceased person's name. The system searches multiple companies. If a policy exists, they tell you how to claim it. Some insurance proceeds end up with the State Controller. Search the state database using the deceased person's name. Call the California Department of Insurance at 800-927-4357 for help.

Avoiding Scams

You may get letters from heir finders offering help for a 10 percent fee. You do not need them. You can search and claim for free. Never pay upfront to claim unclaimed property. Government agencies do not charge fees. Check 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, call the San Mateo Finance Department at (650) 522-7100. For county heir funds, contact the San Mateo County Treasurer at (650) 363-4580 or visit smcgov.org/treasurer/absent-and-missing-heir. For state unclaimed property, call 800-992-4647. Mail claims to Chief, Unclaimed Property Division, P.O. Box 942850, Sacramento, CA 94250-5873.