Instructions and Forms to Prevent Escheatment

(Escheatment to the court is required, by law, under Government Code Section 68084.1. Escheatment is when a government agency takes unclaimed or abandoned property and/or money.)

Claim Instructions

If you are claiming funds, please complete the following:

Fill out the attached forms. When completing the claim forms, please type or print legibly in blue or black ink. Claims that are illegible will be returned. Claims must be made using the Court’s forms. Any modifications made to the Court’s forms will be not accepted.

The deadline for filing a claim is April 5, 2021.

Each claimant is required to fill out a separate Claim Affirmation and Claim for Reimbursement.

Both forms must be filled out completely, signed and mailed together with supporting proof of identification to:

Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino
Financial Services
Box 15010
San Bernardino, CA 92415-5010

You can also email a scanned copy of the completed documents to unclaimedfunds@sb-court.org.

Please refer to the documentation checklist below to ensure that you have included everything necessary to validate your claim.

Escheatment Claim Instructions and Forms

Claim Documentation Checklist

OWNER FILING CLAIM

The following is a checklist of the documentation required when sending in your claim:

  • Completed and signed Claim of Affirmation Form;
  • Notarize your Claim of Affirmation Form, if your claim is over $1,000;
  • Completed and signed Claim for Money Held Form;
  • Copy of current photo identification for each claimant;
  • Proof of Social Security number for each claimant;
  • Proof associating you with the last known address; and
  • Completed copy of Payee Data Record for Interest form if claiming

DECEASED OWNER

The following is a checklist of the documentation required when sending in your claim:

  • Completed and signed Claim Affirmation Form;
  • Notarize your Claim Affirmation Form, if your claim is over $1,000;
  • Completed and signed Claim for Money Held Form;
  • Death certificate of the deceased owner(s) of the funds;
  • Copy of current photo identification for each heir;
  • Proof of Social Security number for each heir;
  • Completed copy of Payee Data Record for Interest form if claiming interest;
  • Proof associating the deceased owner with the last known address; and
  • If probate of estate is open, the estate tax identification number and a copy of Currently Certified Letters Testamentary, dated within 6 months, appointing the executor or administrator of decedent’s
OR

If probate of the estate is closed, provide the estate tax identification number and a complete copy of the Court Ordered Distribution of the decedent’s estate. OR

Provide a complete copy of the Trust Agreement and a copy of a document with the trust tax identification number, such as a tax return or a bank statement. OR

If none of the above information can be obtained, please contact the court at unclaimedfunds@sb-court.org.

BUSINESS CLAIM

The following is a checklist of the documentation required when sending in your claim:

  • Completed and signed Claim of Affirmation Form;
  • Notarize your Claim of Affirmation Form, if your claim is over $1,000;
  • Completed and signed Claim for Money Held Form;
  • Letter of Authorization with the names of officers or officials with authority to sign and claim on behalf of the business;
  • Copy of current photo identification for each authorized officer or official;
  • Completed copy of Payee Data Record for Interest form if claiming interest (not required for corporations);
  • Proof of the business’s federal tax identification number; and
  • Proof of the business’s association with the last known address;
  • If your company merged with another company, a copy of the merger agreement;
  • If your company was dissolved, a copy of the articles of dissolution;
  • If your company was suspended, a Tax Clearance letter or a Letter of Good Standing from the Franchise Tax Board and/or the Secretary of State’s Office.