Santa Clara Unclaimed Funds
Santa Clara residents can search for unclaimed money through the State Controller's Office and Santa Clara County's extensive online databases. The state holds billions in lost property including bank accounts, uncashed checks, stock dividends, and insurance refunds that businesses turned over after losing contact with owners. Santa Clara County operates its own searchable database for property tax refunds and other unclaimed monies. Both systems are free to use and let you file claims directly without hiring anyone. There is no deadline to claim property once it reaches the state. Most searches take just minutes and can help you recover funds that have been waiting for years.
Santa Clara Quick Facts
Search State Unclaimed Property
Begin your search at ucpi.sco.ca.gov where the State Controller maintains all property turned over by banks, employers, insurance companies, and other holders. Enter your name or business name to search. Results show the property type, who reported it, and when it was sent to the state.
Searching is free. Filing claims is free. There is no time limit to claim property once it reaches the state. If you lived in Santa Clara when a business lost contact with you, your property may be listed under this city. The state keeps your funds safe until you file a claim.
Common types include bank accounts, stocks, bonds, mutual fund shares, uncashed paychecks, insurance proceeds, utility deposits, and safe deposit box contents. Most property escheats after three years with no owner contact. Wages and salaries escheat after one year. Money orders need seven years. Travelers checks require fifteen years before going to the state.
Search your current name and any former names. Search for deceased relatives because heirs can claim their property. Business owners should search company names and any DBA names used in Santa Clara. The database goes back many years, so you might find property from decades ago.
Santa Clara County Online Database
Santa Clara is in Santa Clara County. The county runs an extensive unclaimed monies program with online searchable databases. Visit dtac.santaclaracounty.gov to search for property tax refunds. The county also has a search tool at eservices.sccgov.org for unclaimed property tax refunds.
County unclaimed monies come from property tax overpayments, duplicate payments, and reduced assessments. When someone pays too much property tax or the assessor lowers a value retroactively, the refund goes into the county's holding fund. Estates without heirs also end up in county hands. Tax sale surplus funds are held when property sells for more than what is owed.
The county follows Government Code Section 50050 which requires holding funds for three years and publishing notice. If no one claims the money, it escheats to the county general fund. Check both the county and state databases when searching for unclaimed money in Santa Clara. Property tax refunds stay with the county. Other types go to the state.
How to File Claims
When you find property in the state database, visit sco.ca.gov to file a claim. Search for your property and select it from results. The website tells you if you can file online or need to mail documents. Many simple claims qualify for electronic filing.
For mailed claims, download the Claim Affirmation Form from your search results. Fill it out and sign it. Send proof of identity like a driver's license copy. Include proof you owned the property or have the right to claim it. Get your signature notarized if the claim is $1,000 or more. All securities and safe deposit box claims need notarization regardless of value.
Documents needed:
- Photo ID from state or federal government
- Social Security card or proof of SSN
- Proof of address when property was lost
- Death certificate for deceased owner claims
- Probate documents for estates
- Marriage or divorce papers for name changes
- Business documents for company claims
Mail completed claims to Chief, Unclaimed Property Division, P.O. Box 942850, Sacramento, CA 94250-5873. Simple claims process in 30 to 60 days. Complex claims take up to 180 days. Security claims usually process within 120 days. Visit the public counter at 10600 White Rock Road, Suite 141, Rancho Cordova for help. Call 1-800-992-4647 with questions.
Note: You do not need to hire anyone to file claims from Santa Clara.
Retirement Benefit Searches
Santa Clara residents who worked in public service should check CalPERS and CalSTRS for unclaimed retirement benefits. These systems maintain databases separate from the State Controller. CalPERS covers most public employees. CalSTRS covers teachers and school staff.
Search CalPERS at calpers.ca.gov. If you find a match, call 888-225-7377 for a claim form. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. You can write to CalPERS Member Account Management Division, P.O. Box 942704, Sacramento, CA 94229-2704.
CalSTRS handles teacher accounts. Visit calstrs.com for information. Call 800-228-5453 or 916-414-1099 with questions. Teachers who left education without claiming contributions often have unclaimed CalSTRS funds. If you taught in Santa Clara schools and left before retirement, check CalSTRS.
Unclaimed retirement accounts happen when public employees change careers and forget to withdraw contributions. Survivor benefits go unclaimed when family does not know about them. Search both systems if you or a relative worked in public service.
Lost Life Insurance Policies
Life insurance is a common source of unclaimed money. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners runs a free policy locator at eapps.naic.org. Enter information about a deceased person to see if any insurer has a policy. This service checks companies nationwide.
California requires insurers to search the Social Security Death Master File for deceased policyholders. Insurance Code Section 10509.940 through 946 sets these rules. If an insurer cannot find the beneficiary, they send benefits to the State Controller. Call the California Department of Insurance at 1-800-927-4357 for help finding a lost policy.
Many Santa Clara families find life insurance years after a death. The deceased may have had a work policy that family forgot about. Policies purchased long ago get lost in moves or estate settlement. Always search both the state unclaimed property database and the NAIC locator if a relative died and might have had coverage.
Unclaimed Tax Refunds
The Franchise Tax Board holds unclaimed income tax refunds. Refund checks expire after six months. After that, you must request a new check. For refunds one to three years old, send a letter to the Franchise Tax Board with your name, tax year, and "Old refund check" in the subject line. Processing takes about eight weeks.
Refunds over three years old need a Replacement Warrant Claim form. Use Form 3900A for individuals or Form 3900B for businesses. This takes up to 18 months. Call 800-852-5711 with questions. Very old refunds transfer to the State Controller and appear in the main database.
Uncashed refunds happen when people move from Santa Clara without updating their address. The check goes to an old address and gets returned. Some do not know they are owed a refund. Others cash their main refund but miss a small supplemental check. Check both the Franchise Tax Board and State Controller if you think you have an old refund.
California Unclaimed Property Statutes
California unclaimed property law starts at Code of Civil Procedure Section 1500. CCP Section 1501 defines owner, holder, and apparent owner.
CCP Section 1513 sets dormancy periods. Bank deposits escheat after three years. Wages escheat after one year. Money orders take seven years. Travelers checks take fifteen years. CCP Section 1530 requires holders to file annual reports.
CCP Section 1540 covers claims. The Controller must decide within 180 days. No interest is paid. CCP Section 1576 sets penalties. Willful violations are a misdemeanor. Late delivery triggers 12 percent interest.
Government Code Section 50050 through 50057 governs local agency unclaimed money. This is why Santa Clara County has its own program.