Menu

Department of Finance

Site Menu

Unclaimed Monies

Are you missing something? Every day, the Department of Finance receives returned checks that are undeliverable by postal delivery.

Per City Charter, Section 86, after a period of one-year, unclaimed monies will become property of the local agency following the 45-day required waiting period after public notice has been provided. These funds will be escheated to the City's General Fund and will no longer be available for claiming. The escheatment process occurs annually during the fourth quarter of each fiscal year.

As advertised in the San Diego Daily Transcript on May 2nd and May 9th, all unclaimed monies due to be escheated must be claimed by June 16, 2025. This applies to checks issued prior to April 1, 2024. Please submit a claim timely to ensure it is received by the deadline. Please allow three to four weeks for processing before contacting the Department of Finance for a status update.

  • Review our current Unclaimed Monies Report to locate eligible funds for claiming:
    Unclaimed Monies A-Z

If, after reviewing the Unclaimed Monies Report, you have determined that the City of San Diego may have funds belonging to you or your business, please complete the Request for Unclaimed Monies Form. For multiple checks, a separate form must be completed for each claim. The completed form(s) should be mailed to:

City of San Diego, Department of Finance
Unclaimed Monies Claim Processing
202 C St. – Mail Station 7A
San Diego, CA 92101

We will review your Request for Unclaimed Monies Form upon receipt. If we are unable to verify that you are the rightful owner of the funds, or if a replacement payment has already been issued or are in the process of being issued, our office will contact you or return the submitted documents along with a letter explaining why the claim is incomplete or has been denied. To avoid processing delays, please ensure the following required fields are accurately completed:

  • Check Number
  • Amount
  • Payee Full Name or Business Name
  • Social Security No./TAX I.D.
  • Current Street Address
  • City
  • State/ Province
  • ZIP Code
  • Country
  • Daytime Phone
  • Printed Name
  • Signature
  • Date

If you are filing a claim for which there are multiple payees on the check, each payee must sign the claim form and submit the required documentation. In addition, the form must be notarized if your claim exceeds $1,000.00.

You must provide the following supporting documentation to our office when filing your claim:

Individual

  • A copy of a current photo identification.
  • Previous address of residence if you have moved within the past two years.

Business

  • Previous address of business if you have moved within the past two years.
  • Copy of current Form W-9.
  • Letter of Authorization on Company letterhead with the names of officers or officials with authority to sign and claim on behalf of the business.
  • If your company merged with another company, a copy of the merger agreement.
  • If your company was dissolved, a copy of the articles of dissolution.

Heir

  • Copy of death certificate.
  • Proof of ownership, such as a copy of trust confirming you are the rightful beneficiary.

Recovery Agency (Third Party)

  • Copy of the agreement between the recovery agency and claimant.

     

Unclaimed Monies processing time may take up to three to four weeks. Please retain copies of all forms submitted for your records. For more information, please contact the Department of Finance at unclaimedmonies@sandiego.gov or 619-236-6310.