Washington
Statutory term: Unclaimed Property
Overview
Search for Unclaimed Property
This program provides a public search portal where you can look up unclaimed property.
Search Now →Key Statistics
Dormancy Periods
The dormancy period is how long property must be inactive before it is considered unclaimed and reported to the state.
| Property Type | Years | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bank accounts | 3 | Demand, savings, or time deposits; 3 years from last owner contact |
| Wages/payroll | 1 | Wages, commissions, bonuses, or other compensation for personal services; payroll cards also 1 year |
| Insurance proceeds | 3 | Life insurance and annuity proceeds |
| Securities | 3 | Dividends, distributions, and equity interests |
| Utility deposits | 3 | Utility refunds and deposits |
| Safe deposit boxes | 5 | From expiration of lease or rental period, or earliest date lessor may enter the box |
| Traveler's checks | 15 | RCW 63.30.050 |
| Money orders | 7 | RCW 63.30.060 |
| Tax-deferred accounts (HSA, IRA) | 3 | 3 years after specified trigger dates |
| General property (default) | 3 | Property not specified in other sections; 3 years after right to demand arises |
Washington adopted the 2016 Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act (RUUPA) effective January 1, 2023, replacing the prior RCW 63.29. The new law adds provisions for virtual currency and stored-value cards. The Money Match Program, launched in 2023, automatically returns unclaimed property to Washingtonians after verifying ownership without requiring a claim. In FY2024 the program sent out 42,198 automatic checks totaling $6 million.
Finder / Helper Restrictions
Restriction Level: Light
Fee Cap: None (no statutory cap) — RCW 63.30.780 requires the agreement to state the amount or value of property reasonably expected to be recovered, computed before and after fee deduction, but does not impose a specific percentage cap on locator fees.
Waiting Period: None — Washington's RUUPA adoption (RCW 63.30) does not impose a waiting period before finder agreements become enforceable.
Solicitation Rules: No specific restrictions on solicitation timing. The Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act (RCW 63.30.780) focuses on transparency requirements rather than outright prohibitions.