Colusa County Unclaimed Money Database

Colusa County unclaimed money is held by the California State Controller. This small agricultural county directs residents to the state for unclaimed property searches. All property reported by Colusa County banks, employers, and insurance companies goes to the state controller. The state manages over $11 billion in unclaimed property for all of California. Funds from Colusa, Williams, and other county communities are part of that total. You can search for your property in the state database at no cost. Bank accounts, paychecks, insurance proceeds, and other types of property all end up with the state controller after the required dormancy period. The search is simple and free. If you have lived or worked in Colusa County, you may have money waiting to be claimed.

State Controller Unclaimed Property

Colusa County residents should search the California State Controller for unclaimed property. The county does not maintain a separate unclaimed property program. All funds from local banks, employers, and insurance companies are reported to the state. The state holds the property until the owner or heir files a claim. This includes dormant bank accounts from Colusa and Williams. Uncashed paychecks from agricultural employers. Insurance payouts from policies held by county residents.

Search for your property at the state controller's property search database. Enter your name or business name to start. The search is free and covers all property reported from Colusa County and the rest of California. The database shows the property type, the business that reported it, and an estimated value. If you find property in your name, you can file a claim online in many cases.

California law sets different dormancy periods for different types of property. Bank accounts become unclaimed after three years of no owner contact. Wages or paychecks are reportable after one year. Money orders must be held for seven years, and traveler's checks for fifteen years. These rules are in Code of Civil Procedure section 1513. Once property is turned over to the state, there is no time limit for filing a claim.

The state controller processes all claims for free. You do not need to hire a company or pay a fee to file a claim. If you receive a letter from an asset locator or heir finder, know that they can charge up to 10 percent of the property value under California law. You can skip the middleman and file your own claim at no cost. Call (800) 992-4647 with questions about state-held property.

Filing a Claim

Start by searching the California State Controller's unclaimed property website. When you find property in your name, click on it to begin the claim process. The website will tell you if you can file online or if you need to submit a paper claim. Many smaller claims can be filed electronically for faster processing.

You must prove you are the rightful owner. The type of proof depends on the property and amount. For claims under $1,000, you may only need to provide your name, address, and Social Security number. Claims of $1,000 or more require a notarized signature. If you are claiming property that belonged to a deceased person, you need a death certificate and proof that you are the legal heir.

Business claims require articles of incorporation or other business documents showing you have authority to claim on behalf of the business. If the property came from a farm or agricultural business in Colusa County, you need to provide business documentation. The state controller provides guidance on what documents are needed for each type of claim.

Forms you may need include:

• Claim Affirmation Form (generated from search results)
• Declaration Under Probate Code 13101 (for estates under $166,250)
• Table of Heirship (for claims by multiple heirs)
• Safe Deposit Box Property Release Form (for box contents)

All forms are available on the state controller's claim filing page. Read the instructions before completing any form. Missing information can delay your claim for weeks or months.

Mail completed paper claims to Chief, Unclaimed Property Division, P.O. Box 942850, Sacramento, CA 94250-5873. You can also drop off claims in person 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 approved in 30 to 60 days.

Note: If your claim is eligible, you will be given the option to file electronically.

Types of Unclaimed Property

Unclaimed property in Colusa County comes from many sources. Forgotten bank accounts are common even in a small county. Checking and savings accounts become unclaimed when there is no activity for three years and the bank cannot reach the owner. Colusa County has local banks serving the community. Over time, accounts sit dormant when people move away or forget about them.

Uncashed paychecks are another major source. Employers must turn over uncashed wages after one year if they cannot locate the employee. Colusa County has a strong agricultural economy. Seasonal farm workers may move on and not cash their final paychecks. Other employers in retail, government, and services also generate unclaimed wages each year.

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

Other common types include:

• Stock dividends and mutual fund distributions
• Utility deposits from electric, gas, or water companies
• Escrow accounts from real estate transactions
• Court deposits and legal settlements
• Royalties from agricultural leases or mineral rights
• Safe deposit box contents from closed boxes
• Matured savings bonds that were never redeemed

Colusa County's agricultural economy generates unique types of unclaimed property. Crop payments, farm subsidies, and agricultural leases can all become unclaimed when landowners or farmers lose contact with the payers. Irrigation district refunds and water payments may also go unclaimed. Even in a small county, there are many ways for property to end up with the state controller.

California Unclaimed Property Law

California's unclaimed property system operates under state law. The main 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 reporting and claiming it. The law applies statewide including in Colusa 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 notify owners. Section 1530 requires written notice to the owner's last known address at least six months before filing a report. If the property is worth $50 or more and the holder has an address, notice is required.

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.

Penalties apply to holders who fail to report or turn over property on time. 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 Colusa County businesses to comply with the law and turn over property on time.

Local government unclaimed funds follow different rules. Government Code sections 50050 through 50057 apply to cities, counties, and special districts. 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. Colusa County may hold some county-issued warrants or deposits under this law.

Contact Information

For California State Controller unclaimed property, call the toll-free number at (800) 992-4647. The call center is open during regular business hours. If you are 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 Colusa County general questions, contact the county offices at 547 Market Street, Suite 111, Colusa, CA 95932. The main phone number is (530) 458-0440. The county will direct you to the state controller for unclaimed property matters. Colusa County does not have a separate comprehensive unclaimed property program.

Other Unclaimed Property Resources

Several other agencies hold unclaimed money for Colusa County residents. CalPERS manages unclaimed retirement benefits for public employees. If you worked for Colusa County government or a California school district, 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. If you taught in Colusa County schools 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, so check each one if you think you may have unclaimed funds.

Communities in Colusa County

Colusa County has no cities with population over 100,000. Colusa is the county seat and largest city. Other communities include Williams, Arbuckle, Maxwell, and Princeton. All have smaller populations but residents can still have unclaimed property held by the state controller. Anyone who has lived or worked in Colusa County should search the state database.

Many Colusa County residents work in agriculture or commute to neighboring counties like Yolo, Sutter, or Glenn for employment. Property from employers in those areas may be reported to the state controller. Search the state database to find property from any California county where you have lived or worked.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Colusa 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 it helps to know which counties you have connections to when searching for property.