Unclaimed Money in Virginia
Search Virginia unclaimed property — also called missing money — for free. Virginia holds it indefinitely until you or your heirs claim it.
How Virginia's unclaimed property works
When a business in Virginia can't reach you to return money — an uncashed paycheck, a forgotten checking account, a security deposit — state law requires them to turn it over to the state's unclaimed property division after a dormancy period. The money sits there indefinitely, waiting for you (or your heirs) to claim it.
What makes Virginia different
Virginia's roll is heavily shaped by federal and contractor payroll churn in the Northern Virginia corridor (the Pentagon, Fort Belvoir, Quantico, the intelligence-community contractor base around Tysons and Reston), and by major corporate HQs (Capital One, Hilton, Booz Allen, Dominion Energy, the old Altria book). The state's enormous military presence (Norfolk Naval Base, Newport News Shipbuilding, Quantico, Fort Liberty's Virginia tail) generates a steady stream of short-tenure wage items.
Virginia's law and holding agency
- Holding agency
- Virginia Department of the Treasury, Unclaimed Property Division
- General dormancy period
- 5 years for most property; 1 year for wages
- Wages: 1 year
- Utility deposits: 1 year
- Securities: 5 years
What gets reported in Virginia
- Uncashed paychecks from Virginia employers
- Dormant bank and credit-union accounts
- Insurance policy proceeds (life, auto, health refunds)
- Utility deposits when you moved out of Virginia
- Security deposits from rentals
- Stocks, dividends, and brokerage account proceeds
- Court-ordered restitution and refunds
How to file your claim
- Search. Use our free search above, or go directly to the Virginia database: missingmoney.com.
- File the claim form. Most Virginiaclaims are filed online with name, address, and proof of identity (driver's license or passport).
- Provide proof of ownership. For accounts at old addresses, you may need utility bills, lease records, or pay stubs from the matching period.
- Notarize if required. Some Virginia claims need a notarized signature. Online notaries run $5–$25.
- Wait for review. Virginia typically takes 30–180 days to review and pay valid claims. Payment is by check or ACH directly from the state.
Frequently asked questions about Virginia unclaimed property
Yes. Virginia returns your money directly. There is no fee to file or claim through the official portal.
Indefinitely. Virginia, like most states, does not extinguish valid claims — the money waits for you or your heirs as long as it takes.
Yes. You'll need a death certificate, proof of relationship, and (often) probate documents from Virginia or the state of residence. Heir claims are higher-value but more paperwork — consider a state-licensed recovery service for complex cases.
Often yes. Short-tenure DC-area contractor employment with rapid moves between Virginia, Maryland, and DC is one of the most common Virginia unclaimed property fact patterns.
Use the Department of Treasury's free portal at vamoneysearch.gov, or MissingMoney.com.