County Wide Unclaimed Monies

Filing a Claim

To claim money, fill out an County Wide Unclaimed Monies Form and submit it to our office.

On the request for unclaimed monies form please fill out the fields completely. If you are filing a claim for which there are multiple payees on the warrent/check, please note that each payee must sign the claim form and submit the required documentation. In addition, your signature will need to be notarized if your claim exceeds $500.00.

You must also provide the following documentation to the County of San Diego Auditor and Controller's office when filing your claim:

Individuals

• A copy of current photo identification for each claimant
• Verification of address, if mailing address if different from original mailing address or photo identification

Business

• Copy of current photo identification for the authorized agent signing the form
• Letter of Authorization on Company letterhead with the names of officers or officials with authority to sign and claim on behalf of the business
• If your company merged with another company, a copy of the merger agreement;
• If your company was dissolved, a copy of the articles of dissolution

Heir or Asset Finders

• A notarized Power of Attorney signed by the same person who signed the Claim(s)
• In Addition, a copy of the agreement between the Asset Finder and claimant is required

Mail the completed claim form and documents to the following address:

County of San Diego
Auditor and Controller
5530 Overland Ave., Rm. 410
San Diego, CA 92123

When our office receives your completed form, we review it carefully. If the evidence is not adequate to prove ownership or a subsequent payment has been processed, our office will contact you or return all documents submitted, with a letter stating why the claim is incomplete or being denied. Please allow 4-6 weeks processing time.

Filing a Claim

If you believe you are owed money on the list, fill out an Abandoned Property Claim Form and submit it to our office.

With the form, you must include documents that prove your identity.

Individuals

• A copy of current photo identification for each claimant. 
• Verification of address if your mailing address if different from original mailing address or photo identification.

Business

• Copy of current photo identification for the authorized agent signing the form. 
• Letter of Authorization on company letterhead with the names of officers or officials with authority to sign and claim on behalf of the business. 
• If your company merged with another company, a copy of the merger agreement. 
• If your company was dissolved, a copy of the articles of dissolution.

Return the completed form and supporting documentation to:

refunds@sdcounty.ca.gov

OR

San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector
*Attn: Abandoned Property Claims
1600 Pacific Highway, Room 162
San Diego, CA 92101-2475

We review all claim forms carefully. If you do not submit the correct documents, our office will return all documents to you with a letter explaining why the claim was denied. Please allow 4-6 weeks of processing time.

Filing a Claim

To claim money, fill out an Estates of Deceased Claim Form and submit it to our office.

With the form, you must include documents and records that prove your relationship to the decedent, as well as a copy of the decedent's will (if any) and a copy of the decedent's death certificate. We cannot process any claims within 40 days of the decedent's death.  

Send the completed claim form and related documents to the following address: 

refunds@sdcounty.ca.gov

OR

San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector 
Attn: Estates of Deceased Claims 
1600 Pacific Highway, Room 162 
San Diego, CA 92101-2475

We review all claim forms carefully. If you do not submit the correct documents, our office will return all documents to you with a letter explaining why the claim was denied. Please allow 4-6 weeks of processing time.

Submitting a Deposit

To submit Estates of Deceased proceeds:

• Make check payable to SDCTTC. 

• Include a letter with your contact information, the name of the decedent, the name of the heir if known, the amount per heir (if one check is for multiple heirs), the nature of the property (e.g. court order for distribution showing heir's share and probate case #), and any documentation that may assist in identifying the rightful owner.Note that all provided documentation becomes public record, except for confidential information like social security numbers and personal addresses (which will be redacted).  

• If you would like a receipt, enclose a receipt for us to sign and return.

Deadlines

If any estates with known heirs remain in the Treasury for more than one year, that money must be transferred to the State Controller's Office, according to state law. 

Any estates without known heirs that remain in the Treasury for more than three years will be turned over to the County's general fund. Before the money is transferred, we try to give people one last chance to claim it. 

Every summer, our office publishes a list of items over $15 in a county-wide newspaper. We then give people 45-60 days to file a claim. After the money becomes the County's property, it can no longer be claimed.