The Journey of Abandoned Safe Deposit Box Contents in California

Every year in California, thousands of safe deposit boxes are abandoned — their contents sealed away behind locked doors, forgotten by time, and eventually entrusted to the care of the State. From vintage jewelry to rare coins, stock certificates to war medals, these unclaimed treasures represent the untold stories of Californians past and present.

But what happens to the contents of a safe deposit box when it’s deemed abandoned? Who takes possession of these items, and how can rightful owners or heirs reclaim them?

Welcome to the fascinating world of California’s unclaimed property system — where even forgotten family heirlooms and secure vaults have a second chance of being reunited with their owners.

What is a Safe Deposit Box?

A safe deposit box is a secure, locked storage unit held inside a bank or credit union. Customers lease these boxes to store valuable personal items such as:

Family heirlooms
Jewelry
Stock certificates
Wills and estate documents
Military discharge papers
Birth or marriage certificates
Rare collectibles
Gold, silver, and coins

They are considered one of the safest places to keep irreplaceable valuables that aren’t suitable for home storage or digital safekeeping.

When Does a Safe Deposit Box Become “Abandoned”?

In California, a safe deposit box becomes “abandoned” when it remains unopened and unpaid for three years. If the owner fails to pay rental fees and the bank is unable to make contact, the contents of the box are considered unclaimed.

This is often the result of:

Death of the account holder with no known heirs
Changes in address without updated contact information
Forgotten rental accounts
Financial hardship or illness
Natural disasters or displacement

In many cases, families are unaware their relative even had a box.

The Bank’s Responsibility: Initiating the Abandonment Process

After three years of inactivity, the bank must follow California law (California Code of Civil Procedure (CCP) §1518) and initiate the escheatment process.

Here’s what happens:

Final Notice – The bank sends a written notice to the owner’s last known address (if available), giving them a chance to claim or update the account.
Opening the Box – If no response is received, the bank opens the safe deposit box in the presence of at least two employees.
Inventory and Documentation – The contents are logged, and valuables are itemized. High-value or perishable items may be appraised or specially stored.
Transfer to the State – After proper notice, the contents are turned over to the California State Controller’s Office.

The bank does not keep any unclaimed items. They must follow state protocols for reporting and transferring unclaimed property.

The Role of the California State Controller’s Office

Once transferred, the California State Controller’s Office (SCO) becomes the temporary custodian of the contents. Their duty is to safeguard, catalog, and make available the contents for future claim.

This process includes:

Storing valuable items in a secure vault
Digitally cataloging item descriptions
Making owner data searchable via the California Unclaimed Property Database

Once in state custody, the public can search for potential matches based on:

First and last name
Last known address
Business name (if corporate box)
Heir names or successor claims

What Happens to the Box Contents?

While the State Controller’s Office tries to hold onto most physical assets for as long as possible, some items are eventually auctioned off.

Here’s the timeline:

Items are held at least 18 months after escheatment.
If not claimed, items may be auctioned through a public vendor like eBay.
Proceeds from the auction are credited to the original owner’s unclaimed property account and remain available forever.

⚠️ Important Note: The contents might be auctioned, but the value is never lost. Even if your grandfather’s box of coins was sold, you can still claim the dollar amount those items fetched.

Real Examples: What’s Found in Abandoned Boxes?

California’s unclaimed property vault is filled with fascinating stories. Past abandoned safe deposit boxes have contained:

Gold Krugerrands and vintage silver bars
Pearl necklaces and diamond rings passed down generations
Historical war medals including Purple Hearts and Bronze Stars
First-edition books and baseball cards from the 1920s
Signed stock certificates worth tens of thousands of dollars
Rare stamps, collectible coins, and antique watches

Some of the items have gone unclaimed for decades, just waiting for someone to file a rightful claim.

How to Search for and Reclaim Abandoned Safe Deposit Box Contents

Step 1: Search the California Unclaimed Property Database

Go to: https://ucpi.sco.ca.gov/UCP/
Use full names, maiden names, business names, and relatives’ names to broaden the search.

Step 2: Match with Property Types

You’ll see listings like:

“Safe Deposit Box Contents”
“Unclaimed Property Cash Value”
“Miscellaneous Tangible Items”

If it says “Safe Deposit Box Contents,” there’s a strong chance physical valuables are involved.

Step 3: File a Claim Online

You’ll be asked to provide:

Proof of identity (government-issued ID)
Proof of ownership or legal claim (such as a death certificate or legal documents)
Proof of relationship (for heir claims)

Step 4: Await Verification and Receive Funds or Item Value

If the contents were already sold, you’ll receive the proceeds. If not, you may be reunited with the original items themselves.

What If the Owner Is Deceased?

If the original box owner passed away, heirs and successors may claim the contents using:

A certified death certificate
Will or trust documentation
Letters of administration or court orders
Birth or marriage certificates proving relationship

California allows rightful heirs to step in and recover family treasures that may otherwise have been lost to history.