Find Santa Rosa Unclaimed Property

Santa Rosa residents can search for unclaimed money through the State Controller's Office, Sonoma County, and the City of Santa Rosa. The state holds billions in lost property that businesses turned over after losing contact with owners. This includes bank accounts, stock dividends, insurance refunds, and uncashed paychecks. Sonoma County maintains records under Government Code Section 50050. The City of Santa Rosa publishes its own unclaimed property notices. All searches are free and let you file claims directly without hiring anyone. There is no deadline to claim property once it reaches the state database. Most searches take just minutes online.

California State Controller Search

Start your search at ucpi.sco.ca.gov where the State Controller maintains all property turned over by banks, employers, insurers, and other holders. Type your name or business name to search. Results show the property type, who reported it, and when it was sent to the state.

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 Rosa 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 funds, uncashed payroll checks, 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 not just your current name but also former names. Search for deceased relatives because heirs can claim property. Business owners should search company names and any DBA names used in Santa Rosa.

City of Santa Rosa Unclaimed Funds

The City of Santa Rosa maintains its own unclaimed property program. Visit srcity.org to check for funds the city holds. Call 707-543-3140 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.

Check both the city and state databases if you did business with Santa Rosa 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.

Sonoma County Programs

Santa Rosa is in Sonoma County. The county follows Government Code Section 50050 for unclaimed money. Call 707-565-2281 with questions about county unclaimed property.

Sonoma County holds money from property tax refunds, estates without heirs, and tax sale excess proceeds. When the county sells tax-defaulted property for more than what is owed, the surplus goes into a fund. Former owners or people with legal interests can claim these proceeds. The county must publish notice and hold funds for three years before escheating them to the general fund.

Always check both county and state databases when searching for unclaimed money in Santa Rosa. Some funds go to the county while others go to the state depending on the source. Property tax refunds stay with the county. Unclaimed wages from private employers go to the state.

Filing Claims from Santa Rosa

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. 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. Call 1-800-992-4647 with questions.

Note: You do not need to hire anyone to file claims from Santa Rosa.

Public Retirement Benefit Searches

Santa Rosa 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 Rosa 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 Locator

Life insurance is a major 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 company has a policy.

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 Rosa 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 Property Law

California unclaimed property law begins 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 Rosa and Sonoma County have their own programs.