State Unclaimed Property in Virginia

State Unclaimed Property in Virginia: key facts

Administering office

Virginia Department of the Treasury, Unclaimed Property Division.

Official search

vamoneysearch.gov (free search and online claims); national search at missingmoney.com.

Heir claim documents

Under Va. Code § 55.1-2532, the preferred proof is a certificate of qualification as executor or order appointing an administrator/personal representative; alternatively a Small Estate Act affidavit naming the claimant as successor, or a court order or final accounting showing distribution to the claimant.

Small affidavit option

If none of those documents exist, the death occurred at least one year before the claim, and the claim is $25,000 or less, the Treasury administrator may accept an affidavit of entitlement.

Small Estate Act affidavit

Under Va. Code § 64.2-601, heirs may use a Small Estate Act affidavit (instead of full probate) if the decedent's entire personal probate estate does not exceed $75,000 and at least 60 days have elapsed since death. This affidavit is expressly recognized as qualifying proof under Va. Code § 55.1-2532 for unclaimed property claims.

Claim processing time

Virginia does not specify a fixed number of days. Under Va. Code § 55.1-2533, the Treasury administrator must pay approved claims "as soon as practical."