Humboldt County Unclaimed Property

Humboldt County residents can search for unclaimed money through the California State Controller. The state holds over $11 billion in lost property from across California. This includes bank accounts, paychecks, insurance money, stock dividends, and more. Humboldt County does not run a separate unclaimed property program for county-issued checks. Instead, residents should focus on the state database where most unclaimed property ends up. People who lived or worked in Eureka, Arcata, and other Humboldt County communities may have funds sitting with the state. The search is free and takes just a few minutes. You can file claims online for many types of property. The state processes all claims at no cost. Never pay someone to search or file a claim for you unless you choose to hire help.

California State Controller Unclaimed Money

The California State Controller is the primary source for unclaimed property in Humboldt County. Banks, employers, insurance companies, utilities, and other businesses turn over lost property to the state. After set dormancy periods, these businesses must report property if they cannot locate the owner. The state holds the funds until someone files a claim.

You can search the state database at the unclaimed property search portal. Enter your name or business name to see results. The database shows the type of property, which business reported it, and an estimated value. If you find property that belongs to you, you can start a claim right from the search results. Many claims can be filed online which makes the process faster and easier.

California law requires businesses to turn over unclaimed property after different dormancy periods. Bank accounts go to the state after three years of no activity. Wages must be reported after one year. Money orders sit for seven years before being turned over. These rules are in Code of Civil Procedure section 1513. Once property reaches the state, there is no deadline for claiming it. Property turned in decades ago can still be claimed if you prove ownership.

Humboldt County has a unique economy based on timber, fishing, tourism, and education. Humboldt State University employs many people. The county also has a transient population of students and seasonal workers. This creates situations where people move away and forget about bank accounts or final paychecks. Retirees who moved to the area may have old accounts from other parts of California. Small business owners may have uncashed checks from customers or vendors. All of these lead to unclaimed property sitting with the state controller.

Filing a Claim for Unclaimed Property

To claim money held by the state, start by searching at the main unclaimed property page. When you find property in your name, the website will guide you through the claim process. Some claims can be filed online. You create an account, upload documents, and track your claim status electronically. Other claims require paper forms that you mail to the state. The website tells you which method to use.

You need to prove you are the rightful owner. For small claims under $1,000, you may only need basic information. Provide your name, current address, Social Security number, and answer a few verification questions. The state checks databases to confirm your identity. For claims over $1,000, you must sign the form in front of a notary public. This prevents 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 need proof you are the legal heir. This could be a will naming you as beneficiary, a court order appointing you as executor or administrator, or a Declaration Under Probate Code 13101 for smaller estates. Business claims require proof of authorization such as articles of incorporation or a business license.

Common forms you may need:

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

Mail completed 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 and decides whether to approve them. Simple claims take 30 to 60 days. More complex claims involving heirs or businesses can take up to 180 days or longer. The state does not pay interest on claims, so you receive the original amount that was turned in.

Note: Humboldt County residents can also contact the Treasurer-Tax Collector at 825 5th Street, Room 125, Eureka, CA 95501 or call (707) 476-2450 for questions about local government services, but unclaimed property claims go through the state controller.

Common Types of Unclaimed Property

Bank accounts make up a large portion of unclaimed property. Savings accounts, checking accounts, and certificates of deposit become unclaimed after three years of no activity. Banks try to reach account holders, but if mail comes back or the owner never responds, the account goes to the state. Humboldt County residents who moved away for school or work may have left accounts behind. Even small balances get turned over.

Paychecks go unclaimed when employers cannot find former employees. Final paychecks are especially common. Someone leaves a job and the last paycheck goes to an old address. The employer holds it for a year then reports it to the state. Seasonal workers in timber, fishing, or tourism may have unclaimed wages from jobs they left. College students who worked part-time may have forgotten final checks when they graduated and moved.

Insurance proceeds often become unclaimed. Life insurance pays when someone dies, but beneficiaries may not know a policy exists. The insurance company tries to locate them but eventually turns the money over to the state. Health insurance overpayments, auto insurance refunds, and homeowner insurance claim checks also get reported. If you had insurance policies and changed companies or let coverage lapse, you may have refunds waiting.

Other types include:

• Stock dividends and mutual fund distributions
• Utility deposits from PG&E or local utilities
• Escrow refunds from real estate transactions
• Court deposits, settlements, and legal judgments
• Safe deposit box contents from closed accounts
• Royalties from timber rights or mineral interests
• Uncashed money orders and cashier's checks

Humboldt County's location and economy create unique unclaimed property situations. The county is remote and has a smaller population than urban areas. People who move away may lose touch with local banks or businesses. Seasonal industries mean workers come and go throughout the year. Some never collect final paychecks or tax refunds. Timber rights and fishing industry payments can become unclaimed if owners move or businesses cannot locate them. All of these factors contribute to unclaimed property that sits with the state controller.

California Unclaimed Property Laws

State unclaimed property law is codified in the Code of Civil Procedure sections 1500 through 1582. These statutes define what property must be turned over to the state and when. Banks, insurance companies, employers, utilities, and other businesses must follow these rules. Any business operating in Humboldt County that holds unclaimed property must report it to the state controller.

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

The state controller reviews and decides claims. According to section 1540, the controller has 180 days to decide a complete claim. The state does not pay interest on unclaimed property. An old bank account that earned interest before being turned over will not continue to grow. You receive the amount the bank reported when it turned the property over to the state.

Penalties exist for businesses that fail to comply. Willful violations can be charged as misdemeanors under sections 1576 and 1577. Late delivery of property results in a 12 percent annual interest penalty. These rules encourage businesses to follow the law and protect property owners in Humboldt County and throughout California.

County agencies also follow unclaimed property rules. Government Code sections 50050 through 50057 apply to local government agencies. Counties must hold unclaimed money for three years before it can escheat to the county general fund. This differs from state-held property which never escheats. After three years, Humboldt County can absorb unclaimed county funds into its budget if no one claims them.

Contact Information for Claims

For California State Controller unclaimed property, call (800) 992-4647 toll-free from anywhere in the United States. If calling from outside the US, 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 business hours and staff can answer questions about the claim process.

For Humboldt County government questions, contact the Treasurer-Tax Collector at 825 5th Street, Room 125, Eureka, CA 95501. The phone number is (707) 476-2450. While the county does not run a separate unclaimed property program, the treasurer can direct you to state resources and answer questions about county services.

Other Sources of Unclaimed Money

Several other agencies hold unclaimed funds for Humboldt County residents. CalPERS manages retirement benefits for California public employees. If you worked for a government agency, school district, or other public employer, you may have unclaimed pension funds. Many Humboldt County residents work for local government, schools, or Humboldt State University. Call (888) 225-7377 to search CalPERS records.

CalSTRS holds unclaimed property for teachers and school employees. If you worked in education and left teaching without claiming your retirement account, CalSTRS may be holding it. Call (800) 228-5453 to inquire about CalSTRS unclaimed property.

The California Department of Insurance provides access to a national life insurance policy locator. This service 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 benefits.

Check the California Franchise Tax Board for old tax refunds. State tax refund checks are good for six months. After that, you must request a replacement. Call (800) 852-5711 for help with unclaimed or expired tax refunds.

The California Employment Development Department handles unclaimed unemployment and disability insurance benefits. File a claim using form DE 903SD. There is no fee to claim these funds. Call (800) 300-5616 for unemployment insurance or (800) 480-3287 for disability insurance. Each program operates separately from the state controller, so check them all if you think you have unclaimed money in Humboldt County or elsewhere in California.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Humboldt County. If you lived or worked in multiple counties, search for unclaimed money in each location. The state controller database covers all of California.