Sonoma County Unclaimed Property

Sonoma County unclaimed money follows California Government Code 50050. The county treasurer handles unclaimed funds according to state law. The California State Controller operates the primary database for property from businesses across the county. Banks in Santa Rosa, winery employers, and insurance companies throughout Sonoma County all report unclaimed property to the state each year. The county follows government code provisions for county-held funds. You should search the state controller database to find most unclaimed property. The state holds billions statewide from all types of businesses and financial institutions. Former residents of Santa Rosa and other wine country communities often discover forgotten accounts when they search. Current residents may find property from relatives or prior employment that was reported to the state years ago.

Sonoma County Government Code Program

Sonoma County follows Government Code sections 50050 through 50057 for unclaimed money held by the county. These sections apply to cities, counties, and 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.

County-held funds typically include uncashed warrants, deposits, and other local payments. 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 after publication. The county publishes notices of unclaimed funds to give owners a chance to claim their property.

For questions about Sonoma County-held funds, contact the Treasurer-Tax Collector at (707) 565-2281. The office can search for unclaimed county warrants or other county-issued payments. There is no fee to file a claim with the county. You will need to provide identification and information about the payment you are expecting.

This program is different from the state controller database. The county treasurer handles only county-issued funds. The state controller manages all other types of unclaimed property. Check both systems to find all money that belongs to you.

Note: Government Code 50050 allows counties to escheat unclaimed funds to the general fund after three years and publication.

State Controller Property Database

Most Sonoma County unclaimed property goes to the California State Controller. Banks in Santa Rosa, Petaluma, and other county cities report dormant accounts. Wineries and other employers turn over uncashed paychecks. Insurance companies send policy proceeds when they cannot find beneficiaries. All of this sits in the state database until claimed.

Search for free at the state controller property search database. Enter your name or a business name. The system displays the property type and estimated value. Click on any property that belongs to you to start a claim. Many claims can be completed entirely online.

Sonoma County has a wine industry, tourism sector, and diverse economy. People move in and out of the area for work in wineries, hospitality, healthcare, and other industries. When they leave, they sometimes forget about bank accounts or final paychecks. Employers must report uncashed wages after one year. Banks report dormant accounts after three years.

Different property types have different dormancy periods under Code of Civil Procedure section 1513. Bank deposits become reportable after three years. Wages after one year. Money orders after seven years. Once property reaches the state, there is no deadline for claiming it. Property reported decades ago is still available.

Call (800) 992-4647 with questions about state-held property. The state controller processes all claims for free. Do not pay an asset locator or heir finder. They can charge up to 10 percent. You do not need them. File directly at no cost.

How to File a Claim

Start by searching at the California State Controller unclaimed property page. Enter your name or the name of a deceased relative. If you find property, follow the instructions on screen. Some claims are approved instantly. Others require mailed documents.

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 claiming for a deceased person, you need a death certificate and proof of heirship. Business claims require incorporation documents or tax ID verification.

The Claim Affirmation Form is generated from your search results. Additional forms are available at the state controller claim filing page. Heirs claiming a small estate may use a Declaration Under Probate Code 13101. Multiple heirs use a Table of Heirship form to divide the property.

Mail completed forms 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 during business hours. Most claims are decided within 180 days. Simple cash claims may be approved in 30 to 60 days.

For Sonoma County funds, contact the Treasurer-Tax Collector at (707) 565-2281. The county has its own procedures separate from the state. Do not mail county claim forms to the state controller.

Types of Unclaimed Property

Bank accounts are the most common form of unclaimed property. Checking accounts, savings accounts, and credit union deposits become dormant after three years of no activity. Sonoma County has many banks and credit unions. Thousands of accounts sit dormant each year. The bank tries to contact the owner. If they cannot, the account goes to the state.

Uncashed paychecks make up a large portion of unclaimed wages. Sonoma County has wineries, hospitality businesses, and healthcare facilities. When employees leave a job and move, final paychecks may go unclaimed. Employers must report unpaid wages after one year. This includes regular pay, bonuses, and commissions.

Life insurance policies often generate unclaimed property. The policyholder dies and beneficiaries do not know about the policy. The insurance company tries to locate them but fails. After a period of dormancy, the proceeds go to the state. Sonoma County residents should search for life insurance if a relative died.

Other common types include:

• Stock dividends and mutual fund distributions
• Utility deposits from PG&E or local providers
• Escrow funds from real estate transactions
• Court deposits and legal settlements
• Royalties from creative works or mineral rights
• Safe deposit box contents
• Matured savings bonds and CDs

Sonoma County also holds uncashed warrants and other county-issued payments under Government Code 50050. These are separate from the state system. Check with both the county treasurer and the state controller to find all money that belongs to you.

California Unclaimed Property Law

The California Unclaimed Property Law is found in Code of Civil Procedure sections 1500 through 1582. This statute governs how businesses handle dormant property and unclaimed funds. It applies statewide including in Sonoma 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 reporting.

The state controller decides claims under section 1540. Most claims are decided within 180 days. No interest is paid on unclaimed property. If the state held your money for ten years, you receive the original amount only.

Businesses that fail to comply face penalties. Willful violations are misdemeanors under sections 1576 and 1577. Late delivery of property triggers a 12 percent annual interest penalty. These rules encourage Sonoma County businesses to report property on time.

County-held funds operate under Government Code sections 50050 through 50057. Sonoma County follows these provisions for unclaimed monies held by the county. Funds held for three years can escheat to the county general fund after publication.

Contact Information

For California State Controller unclaimed property, call (800) 992-4647. This toll-free number operates during business hours. From outside the United States, call (916) 323-2827. You can submit questions through the state controller online contact form.

Mail claims to Chief, Unclaimed Property Division, P.O. Box 942850, Sacramento, CA 94250-5873. For in-person visits or overnight mail, use 10600 White Rock Road, Suite 141, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670. The public counter is open during normal business hours.

For Sonoma County unclaimed funds, contact the Treasurer-Tax Collector at (707) 565-2281. The office is located in Santa Rosa. Visit during regular hours to ask questions or file a claim for county-held funds.

Other Unclaimed Money Programs

Several other agencies hold unclaimed money for California residents. CalPERS manages unclaimed retirement benefits for public employees. If you worked for Sonoma County government or a school district, you may have unclaimed pension funds. Call (888) 225-7377 to search.

CalSTRS holds unclaimed property for teachers. Sonoma County has many school districts. Former teachers may have retirement accounts waiting. Call (800) 228-5453 for assistance.

The California Department of Insurance offers a Life Insurance Policy Locator service. This helps find policies when you do not know the insurance company. The consumer hotline is (800) 927-4357.

For unclaimed state tax refunds, contact the California Franchise Tax Board at (800) 852-5711. Refund checks are valid for six months. After that, you must request a replacement.

The California Employment Development Department holds unclaimed unemployment and disability benefits. File a claim using form DE 903SD. Call (800) 300-5616 for unemployment or (800) 480-3287 for disability insurance.

The Department of Industrial Relations operates an Unpaid Wage Fund for workers owed money by employers. Call (833) 526-4636 to check. All of these programs are separate from the state controller and county treasurer.

Major Cities in Sonoma County

Sonoma County includes Santa Rosa, the largest city and county seat. Residents of Santa Rosa and other Sonoma County cities can have unclaimed property held by the state or county. The state controller database covers all California cities. The county treasurer handles county-issued funds.

Other cities in Sonoma County include Petaluma, Rohnert Park, Sebastopol, Healdsburg, Windsor, and Cloverdale. All residents of these cities should search for unclaimed property at both the state and county level.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Sonoma County. If you lived or worked in multiple counties, search for unclaimed money in each location. The state controller database covers all of California, but county programs are local and require separate searches.