Unclaimed Money in Virginia

The Virginia Department of the Treasury’s Unclaimed Property Division is a critical custodian of unclaimed property, which includes a wide array of assets that individuals may forget or be unaware of, spanning from financial accounts to physical items.

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How to Claim Unclaimed Money in Virginia

Under the stewardship of the Unclaimed Property Division, these assets are safeguarded and managed until they can be returned to their rightful owners or heirs. Virginia law mandates that businesses, financial institutions, and various organizations report property that has remained unclaimed for an extended time period—typically five years—after losing contact with the owner. Once such property is identified, the holder is obliged to turn it over to the state, and the Division takes on the custodial responsibility for these assets.

The types of unclaimed property managed by the Unclaimed Property Division can be quite diverse, including:

  • Dormant checking and savings accounts
  • Uncashed checks, such as payroll, insurance payouts, or dividends
  • Forgotten stocks and bonds
  • Unclaimed utility deposits or refunds
  • Traveler’s checks that were never cashed
  • Contents of safe deposit boxes
  • Trust distributions or escrow accounts

Searching for unclaimed assets in Virginia

The search for unclaimed property in Virginia is a straightforward process. With an astounding $1.5 billion in unclaimed property held by the state, there’s a chance that you could have assets waiting to be claimed.

Here’s how you can use MoneyBot5000 to try to find unclaimed property in Virginia:

Step 1: Access MoneyBot5000

Start by visiting the MoneyBot5000 website. From the homepage, navigate to the Unclaimed Property section. Make sure you are on the official MoneyBot5000 site to avoid any fraudulent platforms.

Step 2: Initiate your search

On MoneyBot5000, locate the “Search and Claim” feature.

Step 3: Enter your information

Input your details into the search tool provided. This may include your name, business name (if applicable), or a specific property ID (if you know one). MoneyBot5000’s search tool is designed to be intuitive, so simply follow any on-screen prompts or instructions to proceed.

Step 4: Review search results

After submitting your search, review the list of potential unclaimed properties that appear. MoneyBot5000 will list any matches based on the information you entered.

How to claim property

Once you find a property that you can rightfully claim, click on the property entry to view additional details and, if you’re certain it belongs to you, you will be able to initiate a claim directly from the state’s website, which has a step-by-step guide on its homepage on how to submit a claim.

If you already have the details of the sought-after property, enter your name (first name, last name or both) into the Last or Business Name field and click “search.” If you receive too many results, try to narrow down the search by entering a city or zip code.

Once you’ve found the properties that may belong to you, click the “claim” button, and then click the “continue to file claim” button to begin the claims process. Gather the necessary documents and begin the claim process.

Proof of ownership and identification

Before laying claim to assets, you must provide substantial proof of ownership along with valid identification. The documentation required typically consists of government-issued photo identification, such as a driver’s license or passport, alongside social security details if applicable. Moreover, claimants must offer evidence that directly connects them to the unclaimed property.

Acceptable proof of ownership includes:

  1. Bank or financial statements connected to the unclaimed funds.
  2. Official records that corroborate past business with the entity that reported the unclaimed property, such as a pay stub or utility bill that matches the address listed on the claim form.
  3. Stock or bond certificates, uncashed checks, or insurance policies.
  4. For assets related to a particular address, copies of corresponding utility bills, lease agreements, or similar documents prove residency or association with the said location.
  5. Where a name change has occurred due to marriage or other circumstances, additional documents such as marriage certificates will be required to establish the connection between the current and previous name.

Claiming on behalf of deceased relatives

Step 1:

Start by visiting MoneyBot5000’s website to perform a search. Input the deceased relative’s information to see if there are assets listed in their name.

Step 2:

To file a claim on unclaimed money or property, you need to be the legal heir or appointed representative of the deceased’s estate. This typically means you must be an immediate family member, named in the will, or appointed by a court.

Step 3:

Gather the required documents, including a death certificate, proof of address or ownership connecting the deceased to the last known address or to the assets in question, such as historical utility bills or insurance policies; documents that confirm your legal standing as the estate’s representative, such as Letters of Administration or Letters Testamentary, Executor or Administrator Documents, or Affidavit of Heirship.

Need to learn more about finding unclaimed money in a neighboring state? See our guides for West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Maryland!

Virginia Department of Revenue - Unclaimed Property Division

Unclaimed money

Address

Commonwealth of Virginia Department of the Treasury Division of Unclaimed Property PO Box 2485 Richmond, VA 23218-2485

Unclaimed money

Phone Number

800-468-1088

Email: [email protected]
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You may qualify to claim missing money. Search now.

Looking for Unclaimed Money?

Check to see how you can claim lost cash and property.