Unclaimed money in Virginia: how to find and claim it

How to claim in Virginia

1. Search your name for free on vaMoneySearch.gov, the state's 'Click and Claim' site.

2. Pick the items that belong to you and start a claim online. The site tells you what proof your claim needs.

3. Send your proof by uploading it or emailing it to [email protected], or mail it to the Treasury's P.O. Box in Richmond.

4. No internet? Call 1-800-468-1088 (option 1) and ask for an Inquiry Form by mail.

5. If you want to visit the office in Richmond, you must make an appointment first.

Yes. Under the VA Cash Now program, Treasury mails checks automatically, with no claim needed, for single-owner cash property up to $5,000 when it can match the owner to verified tax and address records; you get a letter and should expect the check within 45 days.

Official instructions for claims

Documents you may need

• The claim form the site gives you, signed
• Proof of who you are and proof of ownership as listed for your claim (the official Treasury pages we could read do not publish a fixed list)
• For a deceased owner: estate papers such as an executor's certificate of qualification, a small estate affidavit, or the order of distribution from a closed estate

Money owed to a relative who died

Send proof you are entitled to the money, in this order of preference: a certificate of qualification as executor or administrator, a Virginia Small Estate Act affidavit naming you as designated successor, or the order of distribution from a closed estate. If you have none of these, the owner died at least one year ago and the claim is $25,000 or less, Treasury may accept your sworn affidavit instead.

Contact the program

Program

Virginia Department of the Treasury, Division of Unclaimed Property

Phone

1-800-468-1088

Claims by mail

Virginia Department of the Treasury, Unclaimed Property Division, P.O. Box 2485, Richmond, VA 23218-2485

Processing time

For VA Cash Now automatic payments, expect a check within 45 days of the notice letter. Treasury's state performance goal is to pay valid claims within 30 calendar days.

Finder fees in Virginia

A finder may not charge you, or even sign you up, for property that has been reported to the state until 36 months after the business turned it over to Treasury. After that, a finder agreement is invalid if the fee is more than 10% of the property's value. Violating this is a misdemeanor with a fine of up to $1,000. Treasury can pay you directly and does not have to honor a power of attorney or assignment to a finder.

Law: Va. Code § 55.1-2542

Good to know

• If your property was earning interest at the business, Virginia adds interest of up to 5% a year (compounded annually) when it pays your claim.
• Since the program began in 1961, Virginia says it has returned more than $1.2 billion.
• VA Cash Now does not cover property over $5,000, property with more than one owner, business property, or claims by heirs. Those people must file a claim.

Also check outside Virginia

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

Questions about Virginia

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