Abandoned Property and Funds- Arizona, California and New Jersey

Apr 8, 2010
Sylvia Cruz

Unclaimed Property - cohdra at Morgue File

Learn how these states provide free searches for abandoned funds and accounts by individuals & their heirs. Claim missing money under these states' custody.

Individuals who ever lived or have relatives that lived in Arizona, California and New Jersey may have unclaimed money in the states’ treasury. There are various methods to find abandoned funds including online searches, by mail or telephone. These states hold billions in funds, the majority of these accounts are classified as:

Abandoned bank accounts and safe deposit items
Certificate of Deposits
Stocks, bonds and mutual funds
Money orders not cashed
Escrow money
Interest in mineral deposits

Arizona Abandoned Funds

The Arizona Department of Revenue processes claims for unclaimed property and funds and is also responsible for locating owners. Unclaimed property information is provided on the Revenue Department website at azunclaimed.gov powered by Missingmoney. Other ways to obtain information is by writing or calling the state:

Postal address - Arizona Department of Revenue - Unclaimed Property, PO Box 29026, Code 604 Phoenix, AZ 85038
Telephone - (602) 364-0380

California Unclaimed Property

The state of California holds about $6 billion of unclaimed property. The State Controller’s office has custody of the property and is responsible for distributing accounts to their owners. California provides the public with different options for searching for unclaimed funds, including:

At the state controller’s online database - sco.ca.gov internet address. Searches can be done for funds held by the state and for funds about to be sent to the state by banks and other businesses.
Using a national database at Missingmoney.com – California participates in this database providing access to missing funds information and searches.
By postal mail - Bureau of Unclaimed Property, PO Box 942850, Sacramento, CA 94250-5873
By telephone 1-800-992-4647

New Jersey Unclaimed Accounts

The New Jersey Treasury Department handles all aspects of unclaimed funds and property in the state. The state has custody of these properties until the owners are located and claims are completed. The state provides a free online search at unclaimedproperty.nj.gov and by mail and telephone.

Mailing address - NJ Office of the State Treasury Unclaimed Property, PO Box 214 Trenton, NJ 08695
Telephone- (609) 292-9200

Documentation for Evidence

Each state has its own requirements for evidence that abandoned property belongs to a claimant. Most states require at a minimum the following proof:

Copy of a state issued identification
Notarized claim form
Social Security Number
Evidence that the account owner lived or received mail at the address listed in the unclaimed property records.

Tips:

In addition to the resources listed, most states list unclaimed property in regional and local newspapers a few times a year.
If writing to a state for information, provide names used, telephone number and addresses previously used. Consult the State unclaimed property website or call for specific requirements.
If an individual’s name is found on unclaimed property records, a claim form with proof of ownership and identity must be submitted for funds distribution.