Unclaimed Monies

The City of Napa is currently in possession of Unclaimed Monies belonging to individuals and organizations doing business with or receiving services from the City. Unclaimed monies consists of checks that remain uncashed for a period of more than 3 years, usually resulting from checks that are returned as undeliverable by the postal service.

Often the payee has moved and does not leave a forwarding address or the forwarding order has expired. In addition, checks may remain uncashed for any number of other reasons including being lost or destroyed.

What Happens to Unclaimed Monies

The City of Napa follows Government Code Section 50050, et.seq., which provides that unclaimed monies for items in excess of $15, which remain in the treasury or in the custody of the officers of a local agency for 3 years, become the property of the agency. At the end of the 3 year period, those items in excess of $15 must be published as notification that the money will become property of the agency after a designated date if it is left unclaimed. Items under $15 need not be published and become the property of the agency after 1 year.

Escheatment to the general fund occurs if a verified claim is not filed for Accounts Payable and Materials Diversion checks by the designated date, forty-five days after the date of the first publication. After this date, money left unclaimed will become the property of the City and can no longer be claimed.

Escheatment to the State of California State Controller’s Office occurs if a verified claim is not filed for Payroll checks by the designated date, thirty days from the date of notice. After this date, all funds will be transferred to the State of California State Controller’s Office, where all further claims must be directed.

Unclaimed Monies Listing

If after reviewing the Unclaimed Monies Listing (PDF), you have determined that the City may have funds belonging to yourself or business, print the Request for Unclaimed Monies Form (PDF) and follow the Filing Instructions.

Releasing Funds

The City of Napa has a duty to release funds only to the rightful payee. In this regards, we ask the payees to provide documentation to validate their claims to ensure that no one but the rightful payee can receive Unclaimed Monies.