Find Lost Money and Bring It Back to the Right Owner
Washington may be holding money or property that a bank, employer, insurer, utility, business or government agency could no longer return to you. The official state search is free, and a result can lead to bank funds, uncashed checks, insurance proceeds, securities, refunds, credits or safe-deposit-box property.
This guide shows what to search, how to recognize a plausible match, what to do after adding property to a claim, how documentation and claim status work, what changes for heirs and businesses, and when to contact the Washington Department of Revenue directly.
Quick answer: search your name for free
Go to Washington’s official Unclaimed Property portal, enter your last name or business name, run a broad search, inspect likely matches, add the property you believe belongs to you, identify your relationship to the listed owner, submit the claim and save the Claim ID.
Current Washington claim facts
The official portal lets you search immediately. Start broad first, because an old address, maiden name or different spelling can prevent an overly narrow search from finding the property.
Choose what you need to do
This guide follows the claimant’s actual journey rather than sending you through a directory of links.
Unclaimed property is usually forgotten financial property—not abandoned real estate
Money can come from many different holders
A “holder” is the organization that originally owed or held the property. It could be a bank, employer, insurer, utility, credit union, corporation, retailer, medical provider or government agency.
Property type |
Typical source |
Why it may become unclaimed |
Useful search clue |
|---|---|---|---|
Bank account |
Bank or credit union |
Account became inactive and the institution lost contact. |
Search former names and cities where you banked. |
Uncashed check |
Employer, insurer, business or agency |
The check was never deposited or replaced. |
Search names used while employed or insured. |
Insurance proceeds |
Insurance company |
Payment or benefit could not be delivered. |
Search the insured or beneficiary name. |
Stocks or investments |
Broker, transfer agent or company |
Owner contact or account activity stopped. |
Search old legal names and addresses. |
Utility deposit |
Electric, gas, water or phone provider |
Refund remained after the account closed. |
Search cities where you previously lived. |
Customer or patient credit |
Retailer or medical provider |
Credit or overpayment could not be returned. |
Check former surnames and household addresses. |
Safe deposit contents |
Financial institution |
The institution could no longer reach the box owner. |
Search the owner or family member name. |
Start broad, then narrow the search only when needed
- Enter the last name first.
- Run the broad search.
- Add the first name if the list is too large.
- Add city or ZIP only when useful.
- Repeat for maiden and former names.
- Enter the business name in the Last or Business Name field.
- Search the legal entity name.
- Try former entity names.
- Try common abbreviations.
- Check related nonprofits or dissolved entities separately.
- Locate the Property ID shown on the state notice.
- Enter the owner name or Property ID.
- Compare the result with the notice.
- Do not use a payment link from an unknown message.
- Continue only through the official state portal.
Search every name that may have existed when money was lost
Do not claim a same-name result until the surrounding clues make sense
Result field |
What it means |
How to use it |
|---|---|---|
Owner name |
Name reported by the organization that held the property. |
Compare legal, former and maiden-name history. |
Co-owner |
Another owner associated with the property when reported. |
Make sure the relationship makes sense before claiming. |
Holder name |
Business or organization that reported the property. |
Ask whether you ever banked, worked, insured or did business with it. |
Address / city |
Last-known location associated with the owner record. |
Compare previous residences, offices or mailing addresses. |
Property ID |
Identifier for the unclaimed property listing. |
Save it with claim records and state correspondence. |
Amount |
Value associated with the displayed property when provided. |
Do not assume the final payment amount until the claim is approved. |
Claimant relationship |
Why you believe you are entitled to the property. |
Choose the relationship that accurately describes your legal connection. |
Four questions before selecting the property
From search result to submitted Washington claim
Think in terms of what the state must prove—not a universal document list
Washington law requires the claimant to establish entitlement to the Department’s satisfaction. The exact evidence depends on the claim, so there is no single checklist that fits every owner, heir or business.
Evidence must connect the claimant to the person making the request.
The Department may need evidence linking the owner to the reported address, account, holder or property.
Estate, heir, guardian, representative or business claims can require evidence of authority.
Additional evidence may be requested when ownership is unclear or records conflict.
Best document workflow
Save your Claim ID—the status tool depends on it
Minimum 90 business days
This is the state’s current minimum-processing notice, not a guaranteed completion date for every claim.
Before calling about a pending claim
If nothing appears, search your life history—not only your current name
A deceased owner’s listing does not automatically belong to the first relative who finds it
Washington’s program can return property to an owner or rightful heir, but an heir or estate claimant must establish the legal path to the property. The required evidence depends on the estate and ownership situation.
Search current, former and dissolved business names separately
Business claims need two different kinds of connection
Money Match can return qualifying property without the ordinary claim process
The state may already know enough to return some money
Washington launched Money Match to automatically return qualifying unclaimed property after ownership is verified through available state information. For those matched properties, an owner may receive funds without filing the normal claim or submitting ordinary claim documentation.
It does not mean every property qualifies. Continue using the normal search if you want to know whether other property is held in your name.
Physical safe-deposit contents follow a different path from ordinary cash
Abandoned safe-deposit contents can eventually be delivered to the state.
Search the owner’s name in the same Washington Unclaimed Property system.
Washington states that certain unclaimed safe-deposit contents may be auctioned after five years in state custody.
The state holds the net cash proceeds in the owner’s name for the owner or an heir.
Washington provides special safeguards for military medals and decorations.
An owner who identifies property should begin the claim process promptly.
An approved claim may be applied to certain enforceable debts first
Washington law allows unclaimed property or sale proceeds to be applied to certain enforceable debts owed in the state before the remainder is delivered to the owner.
You do not need to pay a locator just to search the Washington database
Contact the Unclaimed Property claims team with useful information ready
Choose Option 1 for claims.
Unclaimed Property Section
PO Box 47477
Olympia, WA 98504-7477
General DOR phone-service hours
Prepare this before contacting claims staff
Past addresses in another state may require another state’s database
Unclaimed property can be reported under another state’s custody rules depending on the owner information and holder records. If you have lived, worked, banked or operated a business in several states, do not stop after checking Washington.
Use ClaimYourCash / Washington DOR for property currently held by Washington.
The Washington Department of Revenue points searchers to the national state-unclaimed-property network when looking outside Washington.
Washington unclaimed property FAQs
How do I search Washington unclaimed property?
Use the official Washington Department of Revenue Unclaimed Property website. Start with your last name or business name, then add a first name, city or ZIP only when the result list is too broad. You can also search by Property ID when you received a state notice or postcard.
Is it free to search and claim unclaimed property in Washington?
Yes. Washington’s Unclaimed Property Program is a free public service administered by the Department of Revenue. You can search and submit a claim directly through the official state system without hiring a third-party locator.
How long does a Washington unclaimed property claim take?
The Washington Unclaimed Property website currently states that it is experiencing heavy claim volume and asks claimants to allow a minimum of 90 business days for processing. Complex ownership, estate, business or documentation issues may require additional review.
What kinds of property can Washington hold as unclaimed property?
Examples include bank accounts, insurance proceeds, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, utility and phone deposits, uncashed payroll or insurance checks, customer or patient credits and safe deposit box contents. Real estate and vehicles are generally not part of the program.
What should I search if my name has changed?
Search your current name plus maiden names, former surnames, previous legal names and reasonable spelling variations. Property can remain listed under the name that a bank, employer, insurer, utility or other holder knew at the time contact was lost.
Can I claim Washington unclaimed property for someone who died?
A rightful heir or other legally entitled claimant may be able to claim property. The claimant must establish entitlement to the Department of Revenue’s satisfaction, and estate or heir claims may require additional documentation.
Can a business claim Washington unclaimed property?
Yes. Individuals and businesses can search the Washington system. Search the current business name and former legal or trade names, then follow the claim instructions for evidence showing authority to act for the business.
What is Washington Money Match?
Money Match is a Washington Department of Revenue program that can automatically return qualifying unclaimed property after the state verifies ownership, without requiring the owner to file the normal claim or submit documents.
What happens to unclaimed safe deposit box contents in Washington?
Washington can receive tangible contents from abandoned safe deposit boxes. State law provides for sale of certain contents after the applicable holding period. The cash proceeds, after authorized auction and bank fees, remain associated with the owner or heir. Military medals receive special treatment.
Who do I contact about a Washington unclaimed property claim?
For claims, contact the Washington Department of Revenue Unclaimed Property Section at 360-534-1502, Option 1, or ucp@dor.wa.gov. The claims mailing address is Department of Revenue, Unclaimed Property Section, PO Box 47477, Olympia, WA 98504-7477.
Khushboo Bobade is the editor and digital publisher of CountyAuditors.org. She oversees the research and editorial process for the website, ensuring that information about county auditor offices, property records, and government resources is accurate, verified, and easy for visitors to understand.
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.
Annual Tax Bill Estimator
OHIOApplies Ohio's 35% assessment ratio plus your county's effective millage tier — the actual math your auditor uses.
Homestead Reduction Calculator
DTE 105A2026 Ohio Homestead: $29,000 general or $58,000 enhanced (100% disabled vet, KIA spouse). OAGI under $41,000 required for non-veteran applicants.
Owner-Occupancy & Non-Business Credits
DTE 105CEvery 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.
Conveyance Fee Calculator
ORC 322When 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.
CAUV Agricultural Savings
DTE 109Ohio's Current Agricultural Use Value cuts taxable value dramatically for farmland (10+ acres, or smaller with $2,500+ annual gross income).
Mill Rate Converter
Ohio tax rates appear three ways on auditor sites: mills, percent, or dollars per $1,000. Convert between them instantly.
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.
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.
BOR Appeal Savings
DTE 1A successful Board of Revision complaint typically cuts your value 10–20%. Filing is free and stays in effect until the next reappraisal.
BOR Deadline Countdown
MAR 31Ohio'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.
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:
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.