Where to search California's official unclaimed property list for free, what happens to forgotten safe-deposit boxes there, and whether the money is still yours after a sale.
Official search · checked Oct 19, 2026
Safe-deposit boxes
It can, but we haven't confirmed a dated state sale in 2025–26. California's Unclaimed Property Law requires the State Controller to sell the contents of safe-deposit boxes if they appear to have monetary value. Once contents are sold, a claim is paid in cash from the sale proceeds, so owners and heirs can still claim after a sale.
Sources: SCO claiming guide (PDF) ↗ · SCO safe-deposit-box FAQ ↗
Not yet verified: The Controller's pages we read don't name an auctioneer or list any sale dates.
Read the full California auction guide: who runs it, how often, past sales and where to bid.
After a sale
The State Controller says that once box contents are sold, a claim is paid in cash from the sale proceeds. source ↗
How to check
Finders
No. NAUPA, the national association of state unclaimed property administrators, says there's no fee to search for and claim your property if you use your state's official program. Paid finders are legal in most cases but never required. Some states cap their fees and many require them to register, so check with the state office before you sign a finder's contract. NAUPA ↗
Keep reading
This page points you to official sources. It isn't legal or financial advice; the state office decides every claim.
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