Search Fresno County Unclaimed Property

Fresno County unclaimed money can be found in multiple places. The county runs its own unclaimed property lookup tool for outstanding checks issued by county departments. These are checks that were mailed out but never cashed. They sit for six months or longer waiting to be claimed. The California State Controller also holds vast amounts of lost property for Fresno County residents. This includes bank accounts, paychecks, insurance money, and more. People who lived or worked in Fresno, Clovis, and other county areas may have funds in both systems. The county lookup tool is easy to use and shows results right away. The state database covers property from businesses across California. Search both to make sure you find all money that belongs to you.

Fresno County Unclaimed Property Lookup

The Fresno County Auditor-Controller-Treasurer-Tax Collector provides an online lookup tool for unclaimed property. This tool lets you search for outstanding checks that are six months or older. County departments issue thousands of checks each year. Some never get cashed. The payee may have moved without updating their address. The check may have been lost in the mail. Or someone just forgot about it. All of these checks end up in the unclaimed property system.

You can use the lookup tool to search by name. Enter your full name to see if the county has any checks for you. The results show the check date, amount, and which department issued it. Common sources include property tax refunds, vendor payments, employee reimbursements, and jury duty fees. If you find a check in your name, contact the General Accounting Team at (559) 600-3609 to claim it. They will verify your identity and reissue the check.

Fresno County follows Government Code sections 50050 through 50057 for local unclaimed property. These laws require counties to hold unclaimed money for three years before it can escheat to the county general fund. During those three years, you can file a claim at no cost. After three years pass, the money may become county property. This makes it important to check the database regularly if you had dealings with the county.

The county lookup tool is just for county-issued checks. It does not include property held by the state controller. You need to search both systems separately. Many Fresno County residents have money in both places. Start with the county tool since it is quick and focused on local checks. Then move on to the state database for broader searches.

State Controller Unclaimed Money

Most unclaimed property in Fresno County gets reported to the California State Controller. Banks, insurance companies, employers, and other businesses turn over lost property to the state. The state holds more than $11 billion waiting for owners. Fresno County, with over one million residents, accounts for a large portion of that total. Search the state database at the unclaimed property search portal to see if you have funds waiting.

The search is free and fast. Type in your name or business name. The database returns all matches. You see the property type, the business that reported it, and an estimated value. Many properties do not show exact amounts, but you get a range like $50 to $100 or $100 to $200. If you find property that looks like yours, click on it to start a claim. The system guides you through the process step by step.

Different types of property have different dormancy periods under California law. Bank accounts must be reported after three years of no activity. Paychecks and wages go to the state after one year. Money orders sit for seven years before being turned over. These rules are set out in Code of Civil Procedure section 1513. Once the state receives your property, there is no deadline for claiming it. Property from decades ago can still be claimed today if you prove you own it.

Fresno County has a diverse economy. Agriculture, education, healthcare, and government all employ thousands of people. This creates many opportunities for unclaimed property to arise. Farm workers may have unclaimed wages from seasonal jobs. Retired teachers may have pension funds at CalSTRS. Small business owners may have uncashed vendor checks. All of these situations lead to property ending up with the state controller. If you lived or worked in Fresno County at any point, search the state database to see if you have unclaimed funds.

Note: The state controller processes all claims for free and does not charge any fees.

How to File a Claim

For Fresno County checks, start by using the county lookup tool. If you find a check in your name, call the General Accounting Team at (559) 600-3609. They will ask you to prove your identity. You may need to provide a driver's license, Social Security number, or other documents. Once they verify you are the rightful owner, they will issue a replacement check. The process usually takes a few weeks from start to finish.

For state controller claims, begin at the main unclaimed property page. Search for your name first. When you locate property that belongs to you, the website tells you whether you can file online or need to send in a paper claim. Online filing is faster. You upload documents through the website and track your claim status electronically. Paper claims take longer because they go through the mail and must be processed manually.

Proof of ownership is required for all claims. Small claims under $1,000 may only need basic information. You provide your name, current address, and Social Security number. The state verifies your identity and sends a check. Larger claims over $1,000 require notarization. You must sign the claim form in front of a notary public. This helps prevent fraud on higher value properties.

If you are claiming money that belonged to someone who died, you need more documents. The state requires a death certificate. You also must prove you are the legal heir. This might be a will that names you as a beneficiary, a court order appointing you as executor, or a Declaration Under Probate Code 13101 for small estates. Business claims require articles of incorporation or other business formation documents.

Forms you might use include:

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

Mail paper claims to Chief, Unclaimed Property Division, P.O. Box 942850, Sacramento, CA 94250-5873. You can also visit in person at 10600 White Rock Road, Suite 141, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670. The controller reviews claims within 180 days. Simple claims get processed in 30 to 60 days. Complex claims with multiple heirs or business complications can take longer. The state does not pay interest on claims, so you receive the original amount that was turned in.

Types of Unclaimed Property

Bank accounts make up a huge portion of unclaimed property. Savings accounts, checking accounts, and certificates of deposit all become unclaimed after three years of no activity. Banks try to contact account holders, but if the mail comes back or the owner never responds, the account goes to the state. Fresno County has many residents who move frequently. Students, farm workers, and military families all relocate often. This leads to more lost bank accounts than in areas with stable populations.

Paychecks go unclaimed when employers cannot locate former employees. Final paychecks are common. Someone quits a job and moves away before the last check arrives. The employer holds the check for a year then reports it to the state. Fresno County's agricultural industry employs thousands of seasonal workers. Many work for a season then leave the area. Unclaimed wages from these jobs add up over time.

Insurance money often becomes unclaimed property. Life insurance pays out when the insured person dies. But beneficiaries may not know the policy exists. The insurance company cannot find them, so the money goes to the state. Health insurance overpayments and auto insurance refunds also get turned over. Fresno County residents with multiple insurance policies over the years may have refunds they never received. Search the state database if you changed insurance companies or had a policy that you let lapse.

Other common types include:

• Stock dividends and investment account distributions
• Utility deposits from PG&E, water, or phone companies
• Escrow refunds from home purchases or refinances
• Court settlements and legal judgments
• Safe deposit box contents from closed accounts
• Royalties from oil, gas, or mineral rights
• Uncashed money orders and cashier's checks

Fresno County checks are a category specific to the county. These include vendor payments, employee reimbursements, property tax refunds, and payments from county programs. Contractors who did work for the county may have checks they never cashed. Property owners who appealed their assessments may have refunds sitting with the county. Anyone who had business with Fresno County should use the county lookup tool to search for unclaimed checks.

Legal Framework for Unclaimed Money

California unclaimed property law is found in the Code of Civil Procedure sections 1500 through 1582. These statutes define what property must be turned over to the state and when. The law covers banks, insurance companies, employers, utilities, and other businesses. Any business operating in Fresno County must follow these rules when it holds property that becomes unclaimed.

Businesses file annual reports with the state controller. Most businesses file by November 1 each year. Life insurance companies have a different deadline of May 1. Before reporting property, businesses must try to contact the owner. Section 1530 requires written notice to the owner's last known address. The notice must be sent at least six months before filing a report. If the property is worth $50 or more and the business has a valid address, notice is mandatory.

The state controller decides whether to approve or deny claims. According to section 1540, the controller has 180 days to decide a complete claim. Incomplete claims take longer because the claimant must provide missing information. The state does not pay interest on unclaimed property. This means a bank account that earned interest before being turned over will not continue to grow. You get back the amount the bank reported, nothing more.

Penalties apply to businesses that violate the law. Willful failures to report or deliver property can be prosecuted as misdemeanors under sections 1576 and 1577. Late delivery triggers a 12 percent annual interest penalty. These penalties encourage businesses to comply and protect property owners throughout Fresno County and California.

County unclaimed property follows different statutes. Government Code sections 50050 through 50057 apply to cities, counties, and local districts. These agencies must publish annual notices of unclaimed funds. If no one claims the money within three years, it escheats to the local agency. This is different from state-held property which never escheats. Fresno County can absorb unclaimed checks into its general fund after the waiting period expires.

Contact Information

For Fresno County unclaimed property, contact the General Accounting Team at (559) 600-3609. This office handles questions about county checks and the lookup tool. You can also visit the Fresno County website at fresnocountyca.gov for more information about county services and departments.

For California State Controller unclaimed property, call (800) 992-4647 toll-free from anywhere in the United States. International callers can dial (916) 323-2827. The call center operates during regular business hours and can help with search questions and claim filing. You can also contact the controller through an online form on the state website.

Mail state claims to Chief, Unclaimed Property Division, P.O. Box 942850, Sacramento, CA 94250-5873. For in-person visits or overnight delivery, use the physical address at 10600 White Rock Road, Suite 141, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670. The public counter is open during regular business hours and staff can answer questions about the claim process.

Other Unclaimed Property Resources

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

CalSTRS holds unclaimed funds for teachers and school employees. Fresno County has a large school system with thousands of current and former teachers. If you left teaching and never claimed your retirement account, CalSTRS may be holding it. Call (800) 228-5453 to inquire about CalSTRS unclaimed property.

The California Department of Insurance provides a life insurance policy locator service. This tool helps you find policies when you do not know which company issued them. The consumer hotline is (800) 927-4357 for questions about insurance and unclaimed policy benefits.

Check the California Franchise Tax Board for unclaimed tax refunds. State tax refund checks expire after six months. If your check is older, you must request a replacement. Call (800) 852-5711 for help with old or uncashed tax refunds.

The California Employment Development Department handles unclaimed unemployment and disability benefits. You can claim these funds using form DE 903SD. There is no filing fee. Call (800) 300-5616 for unemployment insurance or (800) 480-3287 for disability insurance. Each of these programs is separate from the state controller and county systems, so you need to check them individually if you think you have unclaimed money in Fresno County or elsewhere in California.

Major Cities in Fresno County

Fresno County has several cities with populations over 100,000. Residents of these cities should check both the county and state databases for unclaimed money. Some cities also run their own unclaimed property programs.

Other communities in Fresno County include Sanger, Reedley, Selma, Kerman, and many unincorporated areas. All county residents can have unclaimed property regardless of which city they live in.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Fresno County. If you lived or worked in multiple counties, search for unclaimed money in each one. The state controller database covers all of California, but county programs operate separately.