DC Unclaimed Property: Search & Claim Lost Money

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District of Columbia · Lost Money · OCFO · Claims · Heirs · Businesses

Search the District’s Lost-Money Records and Build a Claim That Can Be Verified

The District of Columbia may be holding money or financial property that a bank, employer, insurer, utility, corporation or other organization could no longer return to its owner. The District’s Unclaimed Property Unit acts as the custodian until the rightful owner or heir establishes a valid claim.

This guide moves beyond a simple search link. It explains how to search names intelligently, identify a believable match, request the official claim form, prepare for notarization, prove ownership, understand DC’s different processing clocks, handle deceased-owner or business claims, and recognize when a District debt could affect the amount ultimately returned.

Get the quick answer Search correctly Claim workflow
Do not pay a fee just to use the District’s claim service. DC states that owners can search for and claim unclaimed property through the District without a service charge.

Quick answer: search first, then establish probable ownership

Start at the official DC Unclaimed Property portal. Search the owner’s name and review possible matches. If the property appears to belong to you, contact the Office of Finance and Treasury Unclaimed Property Unit or use the official inquiry process. Once probable ownership is established, the Unit sends the claim form. Complete it, have the signature notarized, attach the requested ownership evidence and return the full packet.

1 Search Find a plausible owner listing.
2 Inquire Establish probable ownership.
3 Prove Notarize and attach evidence.
4 Resolve Unit reviews and returns approved property.

DC unclaimed property facts at a glance

Program Office of Finance and Treasury
Claim cost Free
Claims phone 202-442-8181
Claim signature Notarized
General processing About 30 days after evidence
Legal decision period Up to 90 days
After claim allowance Payment/delivery within 45 days
Claim deadline No owner deadline
In-person service Appointment required
Claim address 1101 4th St SW, Washington
Open official DC property portal Read current OCFO claim instructions

Choose the exact question you need answered

The page follows the actual claimant journey rather than sending users through a list of unexplained government links.

What the District can hold

DC unclaimed property is mostly financial property—not abandoned real estate

The original holder could be almost any organization that owed you money

Banks, employers, insurance companies, utilities and businesses can become “holders” of property. When contact with the owner is lost and the applicable abandonment period expires, the property can be reported to the District.

Bank accounts CDs Unpaid wages Checks Insurance Dividends Stocks Refunds
Common DC unclaimed property and how to recognize it
Property type
Possible holder
How it becomes lost
Search clue
Checking or savings account
Bank or credit union
Account becomes inactive and the institution cannot locate the owner.
Search names used while living in DC.
Certificate of deposit
Bank
Maturity or inactivity occurs without renewed owner contact.
Think about older financial institutions and mergers.
Unpaid wages or commissions
Employer
Final pay, commission or compensation could not be delivered.
Search the name used during employment.
Uncashed check
Employer, insurer, company or agency
A check was never cashed or could not be delivered.
Think about refunds, reimbursements and old payments.
Insurance payment
Insurance company
Benefit or settlement could not reach the owner or beneficiary.
Search insured and beneficiary names.
Stocks or dividends
Corporation, broker or transfer agent
Investor communications or payments stopped reaching the owner.
Search older addresses and legal names.
Customer deposit or overpayment
Utility or business
Deposit or account credit remained after service ended.
Search addresses where you previously lived or operated.
Safe-deposit proceeds
Financial institution / District custody
Contents became abandoned and applicable property could later be sold.
Search older family members and bank relationships.
Real estate is different. DC’s Unclaimed Property FAQ specifically states that real estate is not considered unclaimed property under this program.
Match verification

Do not claim a listing because the name alone looks familiar

Use several clues before contacting the Unclaimed Property Unit
Clue
What to ask yourself
Strong match
Weak match
Owner name
Did you or the person represented use this exact or similar name?
Former legal name or known spelling.
Only a common surname matches.
Address
Did the owner ever live or receive mail there?
Known former residence or business address.
No recognizable connection.
Holder
Did the owner use this bank, employer, insurer or company?
Known account, employment or customer relationship.
Completely unfamiliar organization.
Property type
Does the type of money make sense?
Known old account, refund or benefit.
Property category does not fit history.
Co-owner
Is the other listed owner familiar?
Known spouse, partner or business.
Unknown person sharing a common name.
Good-faith rule: you do not need every piece of proof before making the initial inquiry, but you should have a reasonable basis for believing the property belongs to you or to the owner you legally represent.
Current DC claim workflow

The District uses an inquiry-to-notarized-claim process

Find the property Search the official District database and identify a plausible listing.
Contact the Unclaimed Property Unit Call 202-442-8181 or use the official online inquiry process.
Establish probable ownership Provide enough identifying information for staff to connect you to the property.
Receive the official claim form Current OCFO instructions state that the Unit mails the claim form.
Complete and sign it Follow the instructions carefully rather than assuming another claimant’s form requirements apply.
Have the signature notarized Notarization is specifically required in the current OCFO reclaim instructions.
Attach the requested evidence Include documents that support your identity and ownership relationship.
Return the full claim packet Send it to the current Office of Finance and Treasury Unclaimed Property Unit address.
Respond to any follow-up Staff compares the claim with the reporting institution’s records and may request additional proof.
Approved property is paid or released Once ownership is established, the District returns the property subject to applicable law.
SEARCH Find listing INQUIRY Probable owner NOTARIZE Claim form EVIDENCE Prove entitlement RETURN Payment / property
Current claim mailing address:
DC Office of Finance and Treasury
Unclaimed Property Unit
1101 4th Street, SW, Suite W800-B
Washington, DC 20024
Do not use an old address copied from an outdated page or saved form. The current OCFO reclaim page lists 1101 4th Street SW, Suite W800-B as the claim-return address.
Ownership evidence

The useful document is the one that closes a gap in the ownership story

DC requires enough evidence to establish ownership to the Administrator’s satisfaction. The exact requested documents depend on the property and claimant relationship, so treating a generic document list as universal can create unnecessary work.

Identity

Connect the person submitting the claim to the claimant information.

Old address

Connect the claimant to an address associated with the reported property.

Holder relationship

Show a connection to the bank, employer, insurer, company or account.

Legal authority

Explain why an heir, estate representative, business officer or other claimant can act.

Prepare documents this way

Follow the exact claim-form instructions
Use complete readable copies
Include all requested pages
Avoid cropped document edges
Make old address evidence readable
Keep original claim information together
Complete required notarization
Save your own copy of the full packet
Strong evidence answers a specific question: “Is this the same person?”, “Did this person live at the reported address?”, “Did the owner have this account?” or “Does this claimant have legal authority to receive the property?”
Processing-time decoder

DC has an operating estimate and statutory claim deadlines—do not confuse them

OCFO general estimate 30 days

Current OCFO guidance says claims are generally processed and paid within 30 days after all requested evidence has been received.

Statutory allow / deny period 90 days

DC law says the Administrator generally must allow or deny a filed claim within 90 days.

After a claim is allowed 45 days

DC law generally requires payment or delivery not later than 45 days after allowance.

The 30-day estimate is not a promise for every case. OCFO specifically notes that inheritance, minerals or royalties, securities and other complicated claims may take longer.

Why a claim can take longer

Inheritance Staff may need to establish the legal chain from the deceased owner.
Securities Stocks and similar assets can require additional ownership or transfer review.
Missing evidence Processing cannot be completed while required proof is outstanding.
Conflicting records Name, address or ownership inconsistencies can require follow-up.
Useful status call “I submitted a notarized DC unclaimed-property claim for [owner/property] and provided the requested evidence on [date]. Can you confirm whether the file is complete or whether additional ownership evidence is still required?”
When property becomes unclaimed

There is no single “three-year rule” for every type of property

Three years applies to many common assets, but current DC law uses shorter or longer periods for particular property types.

1 Year

Examples can include wages or commissions, certain government-held property and certain utility deposits or refunds.

3 Years

Common examples include many bank deposits, business debts, customer credits and many insurance obligations.

7 Years

Money orders generally use a seven-year abandonment period under current DC law.

15 Years

Traveler’s checks have a substantially longer fifteen-year abandonment period.

No owner claim deadline: once qualifying unclaimed property is in District custody, DC states that the rightful owner or heir can make a claim at any time.
Deceased owners and heirs

A deceased person’s listing must be connected to the legally entitled claimant

The District expressly states that unclaimed property can be returned to a rightful heir. The important issue is not simply family relationship; it is whether the claimant can establish the legal right to receive that specific property.

1
Identify the correct owner

Search full legal name, maiden name, former names and prior DC addresses.

2
Identify your legal capacity

Determine whether you are acting as an heir, personal representative or another legally authorized claimant.

3
Prove the chain

Follow the claim-specific instructions showing how the right to the property passes from the owner to you.

Search before assembling estate records

Search the deceased owner Make sure the property actually exists in the DC database.
Compare the listed holder Confirm the bank, employer, insurer or company makes sense.
Contact the Unclaimed Property Unit Explain that the listed owner is deceased.
Ask what evidence applies to this estate Do not assume another heir’s checklist will match your legal situation.
A death certificate by itself may not establish who should receive the money. The District must be satisfied that the person submitting the claim is entitled to the deceased owner’s property.
Companies and organizations

Search the business name that existed when the money was originally owed

Active business Search the legal entity name and common accounting-name variations.
Renamed company Search former legal names and predecessor entities separately.
Dissolved business Be prepared to establish who has authority to receive property for the former entity.

A business claim usually requires two connections

Property → business

The listing should reasonably connect the entity to the reporting holder, account, address or transaction.

Claimant → business

The individual filing needs a legitimate basis to act for the corporation, LLC, partnership, nonprofit or successor.

Search beyond the DBA. A payment may have been reported under the legal entity name appearing in accounting records rather than the storefront, brand or trade name customers recognize.
DC debt offset rule

An approved claim can be applied to certain enforceable District debts first

The search result and final payment may not always be the same

Current DC law allows qualifying unclaimed property or sale proceeds to be applied to certain enforceable debts owed to the District before the remaining property is delivered to the owner.

Child-support arrears Applicable support arrearages and related collection costs can be subject to offset.
Fines and restitution Certain civil or criminal fines, penalties, court costs, surcharges or restitution may apply.
District tax debt Certain delinquent DC taxes, penalties, interest and related collection charges can be applied.
Do not treat a displayed property value as a guaranteed net check. A lawful District offset may affect what remains payable to the owner.
Property finders and scams

A private finder is optional—the District’s own claim service is free

Red flag: “DC requires our fee” DC itself says there is no fee or service charge for claiming property.
Red flag: gift-card payment Do not buy gift cards or cryptocurrency to “unlock” government-held money.
Red flag: unknown document-upload link Sensitive evidence should go only through instructions you have verified with the official Unit.
Red flag: guaranteed ownership A database result does not replace the District’s ownership review.
Red flag: unclear compensation Read exactly how much the finder receives before signing.
Red flag: vague property description A legitimate recovery agreement should clearly identify the property and service.
DC finder-agreement rule: current District law says an agreement whose main purpose is locating or recovering property held by the Administrator is enforceable only when it is in a record, clearly states the nature of the property and services, is signed by or for the apparent owner, and states the property’s expected value before and after compensation is deducted.
Best first action: search the official DC system and contact the Unclaimed Property Unit yourself before deciding whether a private recovery service provides any benefit.
No result troubleshooting

Nothing found under your current name? Work backward through your financial history

Search identity history
  • Maiden name
  • Former married names
  • Middle-name versions
  • Names without punctuation
  • Old business names
Search financial history
  • Former DC employers
  • Old banks and credit unions
  • Insurance companies
  • Utilities
  • Old investment accounts
Search again later. A property that is still with the original holder today may not appear in the District database until its applicable dormancy period expires and the holder reports it.
Search other states too

DC may not be the only jurisdiction holding property in your name

People frequently live in DC while working, banking, attending school or maintaining accounts in Maryland, Virginia or another state. Unclaimed-property custody rules can cause different assets to be held by different jurisdictions.

DC resident today Search prior states where you previously lived.
Worked outside DC Search jurisdictions connected with former employers or addresses.
Business operated regionally Search every state connected with older entity addresses and accounts.
Do not assume geography from the company name. The state holding the property can depend on the owner’s address records and applicable unclaimed-property rules, not merely the headquarters of the company that reported it.
Prevent future lost money

Small account-maintenance habits can keep money from becoming unclaimed

Notify banks after moving
Keep email and phone information current
Cash checks promptly
Review inactive bank accounts annually
Follow up when dividends stop
Update insurance beneficiaries
Keep financial records organized
Tell a trusted person where key financial records are stored
DC’s own prevention advice includes: keep accounts active, maintain accurate financial records, notify banks and companies after an address change, make periodic bank-account transactions, cash checks promptly and alert companies if expected stock dividends stop arriving.
Official DC claim help

Call the Unclaimed Property Unit before making an unnecessary trip

Unclaimed Property Unit

202-442-8181

Use this number for claim and appointment assistance.

Claim mailing address
DC Office of Finance and Treasury
Unclaimed Property Unit
1101 4th Street, SW
Suite W800-B
Washington, DC 20024
In-person help

Appointment required for meeting with an unclaimed-property specialist or dropping off documents.

Have these facts ready when calling

Owner name shown in search
Former owner names
Old DC address
Reporting holder name
Property type
Your relationship to the owner
Date claim packet was returned
Date additional evidence was supplied
Claim-help script “I found a DC unclaimed-property listing under [owner name]. The holder appears to be [company] and the address is [old address]. I am the [owner/heir/representative/business claimant]. Can you confirm the next step for establishing probable ownership and requesting or completing the correct claim form?”
Call 202-442-8181 Open official property portal Read official FAQs
10 practical answers

DC unclaimed property FAQs

How do I search for unclaimed property in DC?

Use the official District of Columbia Unclaimed Property search provided by the Office of the Chief Financial Officer. Search your current and former names, review possible matches, then use the official inquiry process to establish probable ownership and request a claim form.

Is it free to claim DC unclaimed property?

Yes. The District of Columbia states that it does not charge a fee or service charge to search for or claim unclaimed property.

Does a DC unclaimed property claim form need to be notarized?

Yes. Current OCFO reclaim instructions state that the claim form mailed by the Unclaimed Property Unit must be completed and signed and that the claimant’s signature should be notarized.

How long does a DC unclaimed property claim take?

OCFO states that claims are generally processed and paid within 30 days after all requested evidence is received, although inheritance, stocks, minerals, royalties and other complex claims can take longer. DC law separately provides up to 90 days to allow or deny a filed claim.

Is there a deadline to claim unclaimed property in Washington DC?

No. The District states that unclaimed property is held in custodial capacity and can be claimed at any time by the rightful owner or heir.

What types of unclaimed property does DC hold?

Examples include checking and savings accounts, certificates of deposit, customer deposits, overpayments, gift certificates, life insurance proceeds, unpaid wages, commissions, uncashed checks, death benefits, dividends, insurance payments, money orders, refunds, stocks and safe deposit box auction proceeds.

How long before property becomes unclaimed in DC?

Many common property types have a three-year abandonment period. Wages and certain government or utility property can have a one-year period, money orders generally have a seven-year period and traveler’s checks have a fifteen-year period under current DC law.

Can an heir claim DC unclaimed property for someone who died?

Yes. The District states that unclaimed property may be claimed by the rightful owner or heir. An heir or estate claimant must provide sufficient evidence establishing the legal right to receive the property.

Can DC use unclaimed property to pay debts I owe the District?

Yes. DC law permits certain enforceable District debts to be paid from unclaimed property before the remaining amount is delivered to the owner. These can include child support arrears, certain fines or restitution and delinquent District taxes and related charges.

Who do I contact about DC unclaimed property?

Contact the DC Office of Finance and Treasury Unclaimed Property Unit at 202-442-8181. The current claim mailing address is 1101 4th Street SW, Suite W800-B, Washington, DC 20024. Appointments are required for in-person assistance or document drop-off.

Information reviewed August 8, 2026: the DC Office of the Chief Financial Officer’s current reclaim instructions, search guidance, claim phone and mailing address, notarization requirement, appointment requirement, general 30-day processing guidance, no-fee and no-owner-deadline rules, common property categories, abandonment periods and the current Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act claim and offset provisions were reviewed using official District government and DC Law Library sources.
Independent guide: this page is not the District of Columbia Office of the Chief Financial Officer or Office of Finance and Treasury. Live search results, claim forms, required evidence, ownership decisions, processing time and payment amounts are controlled by the District. Use the official DC portal and Unclaimed Property Unit for final search and claim actions.
Ohio Auditor Tools · Tax Year 2026

10 Ohio Property Tax Calculators & Auditor Tools

Built specifically for Ohio's 35% assessment ratio, current DTE forms, and 2026 Homestead, Owner-Occupancy, CAUV, Conveyance Fee, and Board of Revision rules. Every number reflects verified Ohio Department of Taxation amounts.

Homestead: $29,000 Enhanced Vet: $58,000 OAGI limit: $41,000 Assessment: 35% of market BOR filing: Free · DTE 1

Annual Tax Bill Estimator

OHIO

Applies Ohio's 35% assessment ratio plus your county's effective millage tier — the actual math your auditor uses.

Pick a county tier and enter your market value.

Homestead Reduction Calculator

DTE 105A

2026 Ohio Homestead: $29,000 general or $58,000 enhanced (100% disabled vet, KIA spouse). OAGI under $41,000 required for non-veteran applicants.

Pick your situation and enter your home value.

Owner-Occupancy & Non-Business Credits

DTE 105C

Every Ohio owner-occupied home qualifies for the 2.5% Owner-Occupancy Credit plus the automatic 10% Non-Business Credit. Most owners don't realize these stack.

Enter your annual tax to see both credit amounts.

Conveyance Fee Calculator

ORC 322

When you sell or transfer Ohio property, the auditor collects $1 state + up to $3 county per $1,000, plus $0.50 per parcel. Counties choose their rate.

Enter sale price and pick your county rate.

CAUV Agricultural Savings

DTE 109

Ohio's Current Agricultural Use Value cuts taxable value dramatically for farmland (10+ acres, or smaller with $2,500+ annual gross income).

Enter both market and CAUV values to see savings.

Mill Rate Converter

Ohio tax rates appear three ways on auditor sites: mills, percent, or dollars per $1,000. Convert between them instantly.

Enter a rate to see all three forms.

Parcel Number Cleaner

Ohio's 88 counties each format parcels differently — Franklin uses 010-123456-00, Cuyahoga uses 001-23-456, Hamilton uses 100-0001-0001-00. Auto-detects.

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35% Ratio Sanity Check

Ohio law sets taxable value at 35% of market value. If yours is significantly higher, you're a strong BOR appeal candidate.

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DTE 1

A successful Board of Revision complaint typically cuts your value 10–20%. Filing is free and stays in effect until the next reappraisal.

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BOR Deadline Countdown

MAR 31

Ohio's statutory Board of Revision filing deadline is March 31 for the prior tax year. Miss it and you wait until next year — no extensions.

Set your deadline to start the countdown.

Verify with the official Ohio source

These calculators use the verified 2026 Ohio Department of Taxation amounts and statutory rules. For your exact bill, exemption status, and county-specific deadlines, always confirm with your county auditor and the Ohio Revised Code:

Ohio Dept. of Taxation — Real Property DTE Forms (105A, 105C, 1, 109) ORC 5715 — Board of Revision ORC 5713 — Taxable Real Property ORC 322.02 — Conveyance Fee ORC 319.54(F)(3) — State Fee ORC 5713.30 — CAUV tax.ohio.gov — Main Portal

Estimates use Ohio's 35% statutory assessment ratio and effective tax rate tiers averaged across major Ohio counties. Your actual bill depends on local school levies, voted millage, inside vs. outside millage splits, House Bill 920 reduction factors (HB 920), and special assessments. The 2026 Homestead general amount ($29,000) and enhanced amount ($58,000) reflect HB 187 inflation indexing — your county auditor's office may show slightly different transitional figures. Nothing here is legal or tax advice. CountyAuditors.org is an independent informational directory, not affiliated with any county government.

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