State Unclaimed Property in District of Columbia

State Unclaimed Property in District of Columbia: key facts

Administering office

Unclaimed Property Unit within the Office of Finance and Treasury, under the DC Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO).

Official search

unclaimedproperty.dc.gov, which forwards to dc.findyourunclaimedproperty.com for the free search and online claim.

Heir claim documents

Certified Letters of Administration or Letters Testamentary if the estate was probated; an affidavit of heirship or small-estate documentation if it was not; plus proof of death and identification.

Decision window

Under D.C. Code 41-159.04, the Administrator must allow or deny a filed claim and notify the claimant in writing within 90 days of filing.

Small estate option

Estates with DC-situs property valued at $80,000 or less qualify as small estates under D.C. Code 20-351 (threshold raised from $40,000 by D.C. Law 25-302, effective March 21, 2025). A personal representative may open a simplified small-estate administration by filing a verified petition under D.C. Code 20-352 with DC Superior Court rather than full probate. The Unclaimed Property Unit accepts certified Letters of Administration issued under this simplified proceeding as proof of authority to claim on behalf of the estate.

Claim processing time

All claims are generally processed and paid within 30 days of receipt of all requested evidence, per the Office of Finance and Treasury.