Alameda County Unclaimed Property

Alameda County unclaimed money comes from two main sources. The county runs its own escheatment program for uncashed warrants and county-held funds. The state controller holds billions more in property from businesses across the county. You may have money waiting in both places. The Alameda County Auditor-Controller manages a yearly escheatment process. This handles stale-dated warrants that went uncashed for three years. California law says these funds can become county property after published notice. But you can still file a claim if you believe the money is yours. The state controller database holds property from Oakland, Fremont, Berkeley, and all Alameda County cities. Search both systems to find what belongs to you.

Alameda County Escheatment Program

Each year, Alameda County conducts an escheatment process for unclaimed stale-dated warrants. A warrant is a check issued by the county. When someone does not cash a county warrant for three years, the money can escheat to the county. The Alameda County Auditor-Controller oversees this program. Items under $15 do not require publication. Larger amounts must be published before they can escheat.

Alameda County follows Government Code sections 50050 through 50057. This law governs unclaimed money held by local agencies. The code says that certain unclaimed monies which remain in the treasury or custody of county officers for three years may become county property after published notice. This applies to county-issued warrants, deposits, and other local funds. The law protects the county while giving rightful owners a chance to claim what is theirs.

If you have an uncashed warrant from Alameda County, contact the Treasurer-Tax Collector. The office is located at 1221 Oak Street, Room 131, Oakland, CA 94612. Call (510) 272-6800 with questions. You can file a claim even after the money has escheated. The county will review your proof of ownership and may issue a new payment. There is no fee to claim funds directly from the county.

Common sources of uncashed warrants include tax refunds, vendor payments, and employee reimbursements. Someone may move and not update their address with the county. Or a check gets lost in the mail. The county cannot force you to cash a check. But after three years of inactivity, the law allows the county to reclaim those funds. Always update your address with any county department that owes you money.

State Controller Unclaimed Property Database

Most unclaimed money in Alameda County goes to the California State Controller. Banks, employers, insurance companies, and other businesses report unclaimed property to the state. The state holds it until the owner or heir files a claim. This includes dormant bank accounts from Oakland and Fremont. Uncashed paychecks from Berkeley employers. Insurance payouts from Hayward policies. All of these end up with the state controller.

Search for your property at the state controller's property search database. Enter your name or the name of a deceased relative. The search is free and open to the public. The database shows the property type, the business that reported it, and an estimated value. If you find property that belongs to you, click on it to start a claim. Many claims can be filed online.

Under Code of Civil Procedure section 1513, different property types have different dormancy periods. Bank deposits become unclaimed after three years of no owner contact. Wages or salaries are reportable after one year. Money orders take seven years. Traveler's checks take fifteen years. Once property is turned over to the state, there is no deadline for filing a claim. You can claim property that was reported decades ago.

The state controller processes all claims for free. Do not pay a fee to file a claim. Some companies called asset locators or heir finders may contact you about unclaimed property. They can charge up to 10 percent of the value. You do not need them. You can file directly with the state at no cost. Call (800) 992-4647 with questions about state-held property.

Filing a Claim for Alameda County Property

The claim process depends on who holds the property. For state-held property, start at the California State Controller's unclaimed property page. Search for your name. If you find property, the website will guide you through the claim process. Some claims can be filed online. Others require paper forms sent by mail.

You must prove ownership. For claims under $1,000, you may only need your name, address, and Social Security number. Claims of $1,000 or more require notarization. If you are claiming property that belonged to a deceased person, you need a death certificate and proof of heirship. Business claims need articles of incorporation or similar documents.

Common forms include the Claim Affirmation Form, which is generated from the search results. You may also need a Declaration Under Probate Code 13101 for smaller estates. The Table of Heirship form is used when multiple heirs are claiming. Safe deposit box contents require a special release form. All these forms are available on the state controller's claim filing page.

Mail completed paper claims to Chief, Unclaimed Property Division, P.O. Box 942850, Sacramento, CA 94250-5873. You can also visit the public counter at 10600 White Rock Road, Suite 141, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670. The controller reviews claims and makes a decision within 180 days for most cases. Simple cash claims may be processed in 30 to 60 days. Complex claims involving heirs or securities can take longer.

For Alameda County-held funds like uncashed warrants, contact the county directly. The Treasurer-Tax Collector handles these claims. Visit their office in Oakland or call (510) 272-6800. The county has its own claim forms and procedures. Do not send county claim forms to the state controller or vice versa. Make sure you know where the property is held before you file.

Note: Your signature must be notarized only if the claim amount is $1,000 or greater.

Common Types of Unclaimed Property

Unclaimed property comes in many forms. Forgotten bank accounts are the most common. Checking accounts, savings accounts, and credit union accounts become unclaimed when there is no activity for three years and the bank cannot reach the owner. Alameda County has many banks and credit unions. Thousands of local accounts sit dormant every year.

Uncashed paychecks are another major source. Employers must turn over uncashed wages after one year. This happens when an employee moves without updating their address. Or a final paycheck gets lost. Alameda County has a large workforce. Many people work in Oakland, Fremont, Hayward, or Berkeley and then move out of the area. Their last check may go unclaimed.

Life insurance proceeds often go unclaimed. The policyholder dies and beneficiaries do not know the policy exists. Insurers are now required to check the Death Master File and try to locate beneficiaries. But many policies still slip through. Health insurance overpayments, auto insurance refunds, and property insurance claim checks also become unclaimed property.

Other common types include:

• Stock dividends and mutual fund distributions
• Utility deposits from PG&E or water districts
• Escrow accounts from real estate transactions
• Court deposits and legal settlements
• Royalties from oil, gas, or mineral rights
• Safe deposit box contents
• Matured savings bonds

Alameda County also holds uncashed warrants. These are checks issued by county departments. Tax refunds, vendor payments, employee reimbursements, and other county payments become unclaimed when not cashed within three years. Each year the county publishes a list of these warrants before they escheat.

California Unclaimed Property Law

California's unclaimed property system operates under state law. The primary statute is the Unclaimed Property Law found in Code of Civil Procedure sections 1500 through 1582. This law defines unclaimed property and sets the rules for how businesses must report it. It applies throughout California including Alameda County.

Holders of unclaimed property must file annual reports with the state controller. Most businesses file by November 1. Life insurance companies file by May 1. Before turning property over to the state, holders must try to contact the owner. Section 1530 requires written notice to the owner's last known address at least six months before the report is filed. This gives owners a chance to claim property before it goes to the state.

The state controller decides claims under section 1540. The controller must make a decision within 180 days of receiving a complete claim. No interest is paid on claims. If the state held your money for ten years, you get the original amount only. Inflation reduces the real value over time.

Businesses that fail to report property face penalties. Willful violations can result in misdemeanor charges under sections 1576 and 1577. Late delivery of property triggers a 12 percent annual interest penalty. These rules encourage businesses in Alameda County to comply with the law and turn over property on time.

County-level unclaimed funds follow different rules. Government Code sections 50050 through 50057 apply to cities, counties, and local agencies. These entities must publish a notice of unclaimed funds annually. If no one claims the money within three years of publication, it escheats to the local agency's general fund. This is different from state-held property, which never escheats and can be claimed forever.

Contact Information

For California State Controller unclaimed property, call the toll-free number at (800) 992-4647. This line is open during regular business hours. If calling from outside the United States, dial (916) 323-2827. You can also submit questions through an online contact form on the state website.

Mail paper claims to Chief, Unclaimed Property Division, P.O. Box 942850, Sacramento, CA 94250-5873. For in-person visits or overnight mail, use the physical address at 10600 White Rock Road, Suite 141, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670. The public counter can answer questions and accept claim forms during normal business hours.

For Alameda County uncashed warrants and county-held funds, contact the Treasurer-Tax Collector at (510) 272-6800. The office is located at 1221 Oak Street, Room 131, Oakland, CA 94612. Visit during regular business hours to file a claim or ask questions about county programs.

Other Sources of Unclaimed Money

Several other agencies hold unclaimed money for Alameda County residents. CalPERS manages unclaimed retirement benefits for public employees. If you worked for a city, county, school district, or state agency in California, you may have unclaimed pension funds. Call (888) 225-7377 to search or file a claim.

CalSTRS holds unclaimed property for teachers and school employees. Many Alameda County teachers work in Oakland Unified, Fremont Unified, and other local districts. If you left the teaching profession and did not claim your retirement account, CalSTRS may be holding it. Call (800) 228-5453 for assistance.

The California Department of Insurance offers the Life Insurance Policy Locator service. This national database helps you find life insurance policies and annuities when you do not know which company issued the policy. The consumer hotline is (800) 927-4357.

If you are owed a state tax refund, check with the California Franchise Tax Board. Refund checks are valid for six months from the issue date. After that, you must request a new check. Call (800) 852-5711 for help with unclaimed tax refunds.

The California Employment Development Department holds unclaimed unemployment and disability benefits. If you had an uncashed EDD check, file a claim using form DE 903SD. There is no fee. Call (800) 300-5616 for unemployment insurance or (800) 480-3287 for disability insurance questions.

For unpaid wages, the Department of Industrial Relations operates an Unpaid Wage Fund. This fund holds money collected from employers who failed to pay workers. Call (833) 526-4636 to see if you have wages waiting. All of these programs operate separately from the state controller and Alameda County, so check each one if you think you may have unclaimed funds.

Major Cities in Alameda County

Alameda County includes several large cities in the East Bay area. Oakland is the county seat and largest city. Fremont, Hayward, Berkeley, and other cities have populations over 100,000. Residents of any Alameda County city can have unclaimed property held by the state or county. Some cities may also have their own local unclaimed funds programs.

Other cities in Alameda County include Pleasanton, Livermore, Alameda, San Leandro, Union City, Newark, and Dublin. All residents of these cities should search for unclaimed property at both the state and county level.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Alameda County. If you have lived or worked in multiple counties, search for unclaimed money in each location. The state controller database covers all of California, but county-held funds are managed locally and require separate searches.