Frequently Asked Questions
- Who must report unclaimed property?
All businesses holding unclaimed property are required to report unclaimed property each year, including business associations, banking and financial organizations, life insurance corporations, nonprofit organizations, sole-proprietorships, partnerships, and more. The State of California’s Unclaimed Property Law requires organizations to review their records annually to determine if they are holding any funds, securities, or other properties that have been unclaimed for the required dormancy period. Failure to report can result in fines and legal action.
- What kind of property is reportable?
Common types of unclaimed property include, but are not limited to, bank accounts, stocks, uncashed checks, insurance benefits, wages, and the contents of safe deposit boxes. Holders do not report unclaimed real estate.
- How do I determine the dormancy period for the property I have?
The dormancy period for payroll, wages, and commissions is one year. Most other property has a dormancy period of three years (in California; may vary state-to-state). Refer to Property Codes with Dormancy Periods and Property Report Cycle Tables to map out when property is due to be reported.
- How do I report unclaimed property?
California has a unique reporting process that involves two different reports—the Notice Report and the Remit Report—that are best completed in five steps from start to finish. Visit GoReport.sco.ca.gov for detailed information on the report cycle. The State Controller’s Office (SCO) recommends first-time reporters attend free educational webinars to prepare.
- What if I need help reporting unclaimed property?
In addition to our webinars and other online information mentioned above, SCO’s Outreach and Compliance Unit is available by phone or email to answer any questions you may have and offer one-on-one support. We are here to help! Contact us Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., at UPDHolderOutreach@sco.ca.gov or (916) 464-6088.
- What is an “as of” date?
The “as of” date is the cut-off date of your reporting cycle and can be either June 30 or your company’s fiscal year end. For life insurance companies the “as of” date must be December 31. This date is used to determine when properties have met or exceeded the dormancy period to become unclaimed and reportable. Inconsistent or improper use of this date will affect whether properties are reported early, on time, or late. This date is also used to determine the amount of interest assessed on late reported properties. Therefore, it is important to understand the proper and consistent use of the “as of” date. Property Report Cycle Tables are available to map out when property is due to be reported based on the “as of” date, property type dormancy period, and the date of last owner contact or activity.
- How do I choose an as of date?
There are two options when choosing an “as of” date. Select either your company’s fiscal year-end date, or choose June 30. Life insurance companies must use December 31. Typically, the most common “as of” dates are either June 30 or December 31. Use this date consistently on the Universal Holder Face Sheet UFS-1, on all report documents, and while reviewing your books and records. To change the date at any point, contact our Reporting Section at UCPReporting@sco.ca.gov.
- Is there a due diligence letter template?
A sample due diligence letter is available on the SCO website, but SCO does not offer a template. See the due diligence quick guide for more information about letter content requirements.
- Can SCO write the due diligence letter for me?
No, California’s unclaimed property law requires holders to write and send due diligence letters independently.
- Can I email due diligence letters?
Yes, if a customer has agreed to receive electronic correspondence from your company, then you can email a due diligence notice.
- How do I create the property owner details file in National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA) II format?
NAUPA II files are created using reporting software. For reporting software, visit the NAUPA website. This software is free for reports containing fewer than 100 properties.
- When completing the property owner details file, what NAUPA property codes do I select?
Select the property type, ownership, and relationship codes that define the property best and use the select codes consistently. Refer to the Property Codes with Dormancy Periods guide for standard NAUPA II reporting codes.
- How do I submit my report to the State Controller?
Visit the online Holder Reporting Portal at hrp.sco.ca.gov to upload and submit your report documents. Consult the Reporting Portal FAQs and Reporting Portal Videos tabs at the top of this page for more information.
- Can I submit my report via email?
No, SCO does not accept email report submissions. Visit the online Holder Reporting Portal at hrp.sco.ca.gov to upload and submit your report documents.
- How do I register for Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)?
Refer to the Guide to Remitting Property via EFT and Guide to Remitting Property quick guides for registration and remittance instructions. Because Remit Report season is a busy time for our EFT Desk, we recommend registering for EFT immediately after you register for the online Holder Reporting Portal (hrp.sco.ca.gov) to avoid delays or penalties.
- When should I expect to receive my Holder Remit Reminder Letter (14F)?
The 14F letter is mailed within one month of your Notice Report approval date. If you do not receive your 14F letter by mid-February, contact the Outreach and Compliance Unit at UPDHolderOutreach@sco.ca.gov or by phone at (916) 464-6088 to request a copy.
- I was able to reunite all the properties I reported on my Notice Report with the owners. Do I need to submit a Remit Report?
Yes, if we do not receive an updated Remit Report, such as a Negative (Nil) Report, the report and remittance may be considered late. Submit the completed and signed Universal Holder Face Sheet (UFS-1) and signed 14F letter. Refer to the Other Report Types Guide for information about how to complete a Nil Report.
- Are negative (Nil) Notice Reports required?
Businesses that do not have any unclaimed property to report as of the Notice Report deadline are not required to voluntarily submit a report, although it is recommended that they do so by completing and filing a UFS-1 form. Businesses are required to file such a report if they receive a notification from SCO. To submit a Negative (Nil) Report via our online reporting portal, a negative .hde file is needed. Refer to the Other Report Types Guide for information about how to complete a Nil Report.
- Given the website requires a login, could we create one “house account” through which we can upload reports for all of our clients?
Holders may submit multiple reports via one account. If our Reporting Unit has questions when processing reports submitted, they will use the contact information listed in Section B of the Universal Holder Face Sheet (UFS-1).
- I uploaded my report, but do I have to mail in a copy as well?
No, only submit your report once, using one method of transmittal.
- Do I need to upload my UFS-1 form?
Yes, a UFS-1 form must be uploaded with every report submitted. After uploading your property owner details report, otherwise known as a NAUPA II file, the portal will prompt you to “Add Attachments.” Attach your completed and signed UFS-1 form in .pdf file format.
- I received an error message on the log in page. What do I do?
Contact the Reporting Unit at UCPReporting@sco.ca.gov or (916) 464-6284 and provide screenshots of the error you are receiving, if possible.
- I need to make corrections to my report I submitted through the portal. How do I do that?
Contact the Reporting Unit at UCPReporting@sco.ca.gov or (916) 464-6284.
- What contact type do I select when I am registering?
You may choose a contact type that best fits the description of the person named.
- I uploaded my report (NAUPA II file and UFS-1 form), but how do I know it has been submitted?
Your report submission can be confirmed on your portal account by viewing the “View All Reports” page. If the status for the report is “Complete,” you have successfully submitted your report.
- What is a NAUPA II file?
A NAUPA II file is the national standard for reporting unclaimed property. This encrypted file is created using reporting software. It contains property owner information such as owner’s last known addresses, property value, property codes, etc. Refer to the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA) website for more details.
- Where can I find the Property Owner Detail Sheet (UDS-1)?
The State Controller’s Office no longer uses the UDS-1 form to report property owner details.
Free unclaimed property reporting software for reports with fewer than 100 properties is available on the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA) website.
- I receive an error when I am uploading my NAUPA II file. How do I fix it?
Select the “Download Errors” button to obtain a report of your errors. Once you have corrected your report, resubmit it.
For questions regarding report errors or to troubleshoot submission of your file, contact the Reporting Unit at UCPReporting@sco.ca.gov or (916) 464-6284.
- Will I receive an email confirmation once my report is submitted?
No, you will not receive email confirmation. Your report submission can be confirmed on your portal account by viewing the “View All Reports” page. If the status for the report is “Complete,” you have successfully submitted your report.
If the status does not show as Complete, you still need to submit your report. On the “View All Reports” page, you will see a “Submit to State” button. Click “Submit to State” and follow on-screen prompts to complete your report submission. Once the report has been submitted, the status for the report will indicate “Complete.”
- What do I have to include with my report?
If submitting a Notice Report, include your completed and signed UFS-1 form and property owner details list in NAUPA II file format.
If submitting a Remit Report, include your completed and signed UFS-1 form, property owner details list in NAUPA II file format, and Holder Remit Reminder Letter (14F). Don’t forget to remit the property as well. Refer to our Remitting Unclaimed Property and Remitting Unclaimed Property via Electronic Funds Transfer quick guides for additional details.
- When are my reports due?
For most holders, the Notice Report is due annually before November 1. For life insurance companies the Notice Report is due annually before May 1.
For most holders, the Remit Report is due annually between June 1 and June 15. For life insurance companies the Remit Report is due annually between December 1 and December 15. If you submitted a Notice Report outside of the standard reporting timeframe, review your Holder Remit Reminder Letter (14F) for the date range in which your Remit Report is due.
- I uploaded my materials, but my report is not displaying in the list of submitted reports. What do I do?
Follow on-screen prompts to “Submit to State.” Once your report has been submitted, the screen will read, “Your report has successfully been submitted to the state.” On the main page, the report will be listed under “Your Reports” and the status should read “Complete.”
For questions regarding report errors or to troubleshoot submission of your file, please contact the Reporting Unit via email at UCPReporting@sco.ca.gov or by calling (916) 464-6284.
- How do I update my account login information?
Select your email address on the top right hand corner of the screen. On the “Edit your Profile” screen, you may select “Change password” or click “Change email address.” Follow the prompts to make changes.