State Unclaimed Property in District of Columbia

Official search

unclaimedproperty.dc.gov is the District's free search and online claim site. The older dc.findyourunclaimedproperty.com address redirects to it.¹

Property held by other states

DC also links to missingmoney.com and naupa.org for a multi-state search.¹

Who may claim for a deceased owner

If there is a court-appointed estate representative, that person can submit a claim for a deceased owner.²

If the owner died domiciled outside the District but left property in DC, the personal representative appointed in the other jurisdiction opens a Foreign Estate Proceeding (FEP) in DC Superior Court under D.C. Code 20-341 to 20-344 rather than a DC probate.³

The Unclaimed Property Unit links the Foreign Estate Proceeding route directly from its own site.¹

Documents for an heir or estate claim

The District asks for the documents that apply: the death certificate, Letters of Administration or small estate papers, a copy of the claimant's photo ID, and proof of address or ownership connecting the owner to the funds.²

In a Foreign Estate Proceeding no DC personal representative is appointed and no DC Letters of Administration are issued, so the authority for the claim is the exemplified (triple-sealed) copy of the out-of-jurisdiction appointment.³

Claiming without a probate order

Under D.C. Code 20-351, estates with DC-situs property valued at $80,000 or less qualify as small estates. The threshold was raised from $40,000 by D.C. Law 25-302, effective March 21, 2025.⁴

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.⁵

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.²

Processing time

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.⁶

The Office of Finance and Treasury states that all claims are generally processed and paid within 30 days of receipt of all requested evidence. Claims involving minerals or royalties, stock, inheritance, or other complex issues may take longer.⁷

If a claim is denied

Under D.C. Code 41-159.04, if the Administrator takes no action within the 90-day period, the claim is deemed denied, which opens the claimant's right to file an amended claim or bring an action under D.C. Code 41-159.06.⁶

Deadline to claim

The District states that a claim can be made at any time. Unclaimed property is held in a custodial capacity until the rightful owner, personal representative, or legal authorized representative can be found.²

How an approved claim is paid

Under D.C. Code 41-159.03(b), the Administrator may waive the claim-form requirement and pay or deliver property directly where the claimant is the apparent owner named on the holder's report and the Administrator reasonably believes they are entitled to it.⁸

That direct payment without a claim form applies only where the property is worth less than $500.⁸

Governing law: D.C. Code Title 41, Chapter 1A (Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act of 2021); D.C. Code 41-159.03, 41-159.04

The Administrator allows or denies a filed claim and notifies the claimant in writing

within 90 days of the filing of the claim; with no action in that period, the claim is deemed denied⁶

DC Superior Court, Probate Division, Clerk's Office

Letters of Administration, small estates and Foreign Estate Proceedings (general information)^{2, 3}

Phone: 1-202-879-9460

Office: DC Superior Court Probate Division, Clerk's Office, Court Building A, 515 Fifth Street NW, Room 314, Washington, DC 20001

DC Superior Court, Probate Division, small-estate specialist

Small-estate questions²

Phone: 1-202-879-9448

DC Office of Vital Records

DC death certificates²

Phone: 1-202-442-5955

Office: 899 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC

1. 1.DC Unclaimed Property (Office of Finance and Treasury)
2. 2.Claim FAQ (unclaimedproperty.dc.gov)
3. 3.Foreign Estates Proceedings (DC Superior Court, Probate Division)
4. 4.D.C. Code 20-351
5. 5.D.C. Code 20-352
6. 6.D.C. Code 41-159.04
7. 7.Unclaimed Property: How to Reclaim Property (DC Office of the Chief Financial Officer)
8. 8.D.C. Code 41-159.03
9. 9.How to Search and File a Claim (unclaimedproperty.dc.gov)