State Unclaimed Property in California

The California State Controller's Office holds unclaimed property — dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks, insurance payouts, and similar assets — until the owner or their heirs claim it. Heirs of a deceased owner file a claim with proof of death and proof of their relationship to the owner.

OverviewWhen someone dies

Unclaimed Property

California

sco.ca.gov/search_upd.html→

Administering agency

California State Controller's Office — Unclaimed Property Division

Phone800-992-4647

WebsiteVisit website →

Authority

Cal. Code Civ. Proc. 1500 et seq. (Unclaimed Property Law)

Verified Jul 2026

State Unclaimed Property in California: key facts

Administering office: California State Controller's Office, Unclaimed Property Division.
Official search and claim: claimit.ca.gov (free search and online claims).
Who may file for a deceased owner: An heir, a trustee, or the personal representative, executor, or administrator of the estate.
Heir claim documents: A signed Claim Affirmation Form (notarized if the claim is $1,000 or more, or is for securities or a safe deposit box), photo identification, proof of Social Security number, all pages of the deceased owner's certified final death certificate, and documentation of your relationship to the owner such as a marriage or certified birth certificate. A will, trust, letters testamentary or of administration, or a final decree of distribution is submitted where one exists.
Small estate option (Probate Code 13101): Heirs may submit a Declaration Under Probate Code 13101 instead of full probate documents when at least 40 days have elapsed since the death and the gross value of the decedent's California property subject to the procedure does not exceed $208,850 (deaths on or after April 1, 2025; $184,500 for deaths April 1, 2022 – March 31, 2025). The SCO provides its own declaration form, along with a Table of Heirship, on the forms page.
Claim processing time: California law allows the State Controller's Office up to 180 days from receipt of a complete claim package to review documentation and decide the claim. Cash-only property owner claims may be processed in as little as 30 to 60 days; heir claims are generally processed within the 180-day period.

Governing law: Cal. Code Civ. Proc. 1500 et seq. (Unclaimed Property Law)

When someone dies

Steps after a death in California

3-step process for California State Controller's Office — Unclaimed Property Division.

View details →

SimplyTrust Editorial·Updated July 14, 2026

Sources

Data sourced from State Unclaimed Property in California primary sources (9 pages reviewed). How we research.

Unclaimed Property

California

sco.ca.gov/search_upd.html→

Administering agency

California State Controller's Office — Unclaimed Property Division

Phone800-992-4647

WebsiteVisit website →

Authority

Cal. Code Civ. Proc. 1500 et seq. (Unclaimed Property Law)

Verified Jul 2026

State Unclaimed Property in California: key facts

Administering office

California State Controller's Office, Unclaimed Property Division.

Official search and claim

claimit.ca.gov (free search and online claims).

Who may file for a deceased owner

An heir, a trustee, or the personal representative, executor, or administrator of the estate.

Heir claim documents

A signed Claim Affirmation Form (notarized if the claim is $1,000 or more, or is for securities or a safe deposit box), photo identification, proof of Social Security number, all pages of the deceased owner's certified final death certificate, and documentation of your relationship to the owner such as a marriage or certified birth certificate. A will, trust, letters testamentary or of administration, or a final decree of distribution is submitted where one exists.

Small estate option (Probate Code 13101)

Heirs may submit a Declaration Under Probate Code 13101 instead of full probate documents when at least 40 days have elapsed since the death and the gross value of the decedent's California property subject to the procedure does not exceed $208,850 (deaths on or after April 1, 2025; $184,500 for deaths April 1, 2022 – March 31, 2025). The SCO provides its own declaration form, along with a Table of Heirship, on the forms page.

Claim processing time

California law allows the State Controller's Office up to 180 days from receipt of a complete claim package to review documentation and decide the claim. Cash-only property owner claims may be processed in as little as 30 to 60 days; heir claims are generally processed within the 180-day period.

Governing law: Cal. Code Civ. Proc. 1500 et seq. (Unclaimed Property Law)