Santa Monica Unclaimed Property

Santa Monica has multiple free resources for searching unclaimed money. The State Controller's Office holds billions in lost property that businesses turned over after losing contact with owners. This includes bank accounts, stock dividends, insurance refunds, and uncashed checks. Los Angeles County maintains records of tax sale excess proceeds and other unclaimed funds. The City of Santa Monica publishes notices of unclaimed property it holds. All searches are free and let you file claims directly without using a paid service or investigator. There is no deadline to claim property once it reaches the state database. Most searches take just minutes online and can help you recover funds waiting for years.

Search California Unclaimed Property

Begin your search at ucpi.sco.ca.gov where the State Controller maintains all property turned over by banks, employers, insurers, 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. You can see estimated values for most items.

There is no fee to search or file a claim. There is no time limit once property reaches the state. If you lived in Santa Monica when a business lost contact with you, your funds may be listed under this city. The state holds your property until you claim it.

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 property. Business owners should search company names and any DBA names used in Santa Monica. The database goes back many years.

City of Santa Monica Unclaimed Property

The City of Santa Monica maintains its own unclaimed property program. Visit santamonica.gov to check for funds the city holds. You can also email finance.mailbox@santamonica.gov with questions about city unclaimed money.

City unclaimed funds come from uncashed checks, refunds, deposits, and overpayments. If you paid fees to the city and got a refund you never cashed, it appears on this list. Security deposits not picked up also show up. Vendor checks that were never cashed end up in the city's holding fund. Government Code Section 50050 requires cities to hold funds for three years and publish notice before escheating them to the general fund.

The city program works separately from the state program. Check both if you did business with Santa Monica or paid city fees in past years. You might have a refund or deposit waiting. Contact the city finance department directly if you find your name on their unclaimed property list.

Los Angeles County Programs

Santa Monica is in Los Angeles County. The county treasurer runs extensive unclaimed property programs. Visit ttc.lacounty.gov to search for excess proceeds from tax sales. Call 213-974-2111 for information about county unclaimed funds.

Excess proceeds happen when the county sells tax-defaulted property for more than what is owed. The surplus goes into a holding fund. Former owners or people with legal interests can claim these proceeds. The county also holds unclaimed estates and other funds that did not go to the state. Always check both county and state databases when searching for unclaimed money in Santa Monica.

Note: You can file claims directly with the county without paying fees to third parties.

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

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.

Public Retirement Benefit Searches

Santa Monica 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. If you taught in Santa Monica 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.

Life Insurance Policy Searches

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 Monica 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.

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 Monica and Los Angeles County have their own programs.