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District of Columbia · Unclaimed property

Unclaimed money in District of Columbia: how to find and claim it

The District of Columbia may be holding money that belongs to you. Searching and claiming are free.

Checked against official sources: Oct 21, 2026

Search the District of Columbia's official list of unclaimed property by name.

Search the District of Columbia's list (free, official) →

Scam warning: the state never charges a fee to claim, and the FTC warns that state programs don't text you alerts or links. How to spot a scam

$27.45 millionreturned on 32,068 properties in fiscal year 2025
Freeto search and claim
MissingMoney.comalso searches District of Columbia's list

How to claim in District of Columbia

  1. Search the official DC site by last name and first initial. Only claim property tied to an address you are connected to.

  2. Select your property, click "Claim", and enter your information, including your current mailing address.

  3. Read the email the District sends you. The claim form attachment lists the documents you need.

  4. Upload the signed claim form and documents through the secure link, or mail them to the Unclaimed Property Unit.

  5. Track your claim online with your claim ID.

Official instructions for claims

Documents you may need

  • A completed and signed claim form
  • A copy of your photo ID
  • Your Social Security number
  • Proof of address or ownership that connects you to the property

Money owed to a relative who died

A court-appointed estate representative can file. Send the death certificate, Letters of Administration or small estate papers, a copy of your photo ID, and proof connecting the owner to the money. To get Letters of Administration for a small estate, contact the DC Superior Court Probate Division at (202) 879-9448.

Contact the program

Program
DC Office of the Chief Financial Officer, Office of Finance and Treasury, Unclaimed Property Unit
Phone
(202) 442-8181
Claims by mail
DC Office of Finance and Treasury, Unclaimed Property Unit, 1101 4th St. SW, Ste. 800W, Washington, DC 20024

Finder fees in District of Columbia

A finder agreement signed within 24 months after the property was turned over to the District is void. DC sets no fixed percentage cap. If you think the fee is unconscionable, you can sue in DC Superior Court to cut it down. The agreement must be in writing, signed by you, describe the property and services, and show the amount you can expect before and after the fee.

Law: D.C. Code §§ 41-163.01 and 41-163.02

Watch out: The District never charges a fee to return your property. Finder agreements can carry big fees, so call the Unclaimed Property Unit at 202-442-8181 or search the site yourself first.

Good to know

  • There is no deadline to claim. DC holds the property until the owner or an authorized representative claims it.
  • Money from auctioned items, such as safe deposit box contents, is kept for the owner and can be claimed at any time.

Also check outside District of Columbia

Search every other state where you lived or worked. Some money, like old savings bonds and IRS refunds, is held by federal agencies.

MissingMoney.com and NAUPA state unclaimed property search

Money that businesses could not return to you and had to hand over to a state, such as old bank accounts and insurance policies. USA.gov says state governments hold most unclaimed money.

Official site

U.S. savings bonds (TreasuryDirect)

Old paper or electronic U.S. savings bonds that were never cashed, including bonds that have matured and stopped earning interest (EE and I bonds earn interest for up to 30 years), plus lost, stolen or destroyed bonds.

Official site

IRS refunds from tax returns never filed (3-year rule)

Tax refunds owed to people who never filed a federal tax return for a year, often because they earned little and were not required to file. The IRS says taxpayers usually have three years to file and claim a refund; after that the money becomes the property of the U.S. Treasury.

Official site

Questions about District of Columbia

How do I find unclaimed money in District of Columbia?

Search the official database run by the DC Office of the Chief Financial Officer, Office of Finance and Treasury, Unclaimed Property Unit. Searching is free. Search every name you have used and every address where you lived in District of Columbia.

Does it cost anything to claim money in District of Columbia?

No. The state does not charge a fee to claim. A finder agreement signed within 24 months after the property was turned over to the District is void. DC sets no fixed percentage cap. If you think the fee is unconscionable, you can sue in DC Superior Court to cut it down. The agreement must be in writing, signed by you, describe the property and services, and show the amount you can expect before and after the fee.

How do I claim money for a relative who died in District of Columbia?

A court-appointed estate representative can file. Send the death certificate, Letters of Administration or small estate papers, a copy of your photo ID, and proof connecting the owner to the money. To get Letters of Administration for a small estate, contact the DC Superior Court Probate Division at (202) 879-9448.

Sources

Last checked: Oct 21, 2026.

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