How To Check If Virginia Owes You Money In 2025

Money and the rights to valuables that belong to Virginians may be sitting in government accounts, but in some cases, it's up to you to claim your property.

Unclaimed property is considered to be abandoned assets of accounts considered dormant due to inactivity. Many people who have unclaimed cash may not realize it, whether it's money owed from pension funds, business refunds, or other sources.

Over the years, the Virginia Treasury has reunited rightful owners with more than $1.3 billion. Other money held by the state can include utility deposits, customer refunds, unpaid wages, money from insurance policies, securities and investments, bank accounts and tangible property.

Earlier this year, the Virginia General Assembly approved legislation to establish the new VA Cash Now program. Under the program, the Virginia Treasury can automatically return single-owner properties valued at up to $5,000.

Once the information in the state’s unclaimed property database matches verified taxpayer and address details, notification letters will be mailed to claimants without any required action on their part. Checks usually arrive within 45 days.

In June, the program allowed the Virginia Treasury to mail roughly $2.5 million in unclaimed money to Virginians.

For properties valued over $5,000 or those owned by multiple individuals, as well as claims
related to businesses or heirs, claimants must visit www.vamoneysearch.gov. This site provides a user-friendly way to search for unclaimed property. The site lets you search for money owed to an individual, to an estate, or to a business.

Through the site, claims can be filed without having to mail any documentation. If anything is requested, they can upload it to a secure portal immediately from the website.

If you are unable to access the internet, you may request an inquiry form by calling 800-468-1088 and choosing option 1.

Virginia's Consumer Protection Law requires businesses to turn unclaimed property over to the state, relieving the business of the financial liability. The state holds the property as the custodian until the rightful owner, or heir, files a claim.

The treasury team attempts to locate owners through multiple initiatives, including attending events held for seniors, churches, local communities, and corporations to search and start the claim process on-site. During the pandemic, staffers held virtual call events for various groups.

The U.S. government lacks a central website to find unclaimed funds. To search for unclaimed money that may be lying in a different state's treasury, check this list of treasurer offices.

If you don't have money lying in the state treasury, the government also suggests checking for unclaimed funds from bank failures or unclaimed deposits from credit union closures. You could also check for unclaimed or undelivered tax refunds or a refund from an FHA-insured mortgage.

Finally, you can check for unclaimed back wages, pension money or life insurance funds. Here is how to find out how to search for these unclaimed funds.