West Virginia
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 | 5 | 5 years after maturity or last indication of interest; includes checking, savings, and CDs |
| Wages/payroll | 1 | 1 year after wages become payable |
| Insurance proceeds | 3 | 3 years; life insurance triggered by death or maturity |
| Securities | 3 | 3 years after last activity for cash; 5 years for shares |
| Utility deposits | 1 | 1 year after termination of services |
| Safe deposit boxes | 5 | 5 years after expiration of lease or rental period |
| Virtual currency | 3 | 3 years after last indication of interest; held by banks or virtual currency businesses |
| Traveler's checks | 15 | 15 years after issuance |
| Money orders | 7 | 7 years after issuance |
West Virginia enacted the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act based on the 1995 model with state-specific amendments. Notable additions include provisions for virtual currency (3-year dormancy). The state has returned over $191 million to date through its unclaimed property program. In fiscal year 2025, the Treasurer's office returned nearly $40 million -- a record-breaking year. The 'West Virginia Cash Now' proactive outreach program mails checks directly to identified owners.
Finder / Helper Restrictions
Restriction Level: None
Fee Cap: None specified — West Virginia does not impose a statutory cap on finder fees within the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act. Consumer protection statutes may provide general limitations.
Waiting Period: None specified — West Virginia's Uniform Unclaimed Property Act (WV Code 36-8) does not contain specific waiting period provisions for finder agreements.
Solicitation Rules: The WV Unclaimed Property Act does not contain specific finder solicitation restrictions. The State Treasurer's Office encourages owners to search and claim directly at no cost. General consumer protection statutes may apply to finder practices.