Request Items
UP Property Finder
Hello, I would like to know what is the process for registering as a property finder in West Virginia and how I can obtain a copy of the list of unclaimed properties in the state. Thank you. Best, George Kenefati
Granted in part
Mr. Kenefati: I’m writing as a follow up to your inquiry for information about becoming an unclaimed property finder in West Virginia. The West Virginia Unclaimed Property Act does not have requirements specific to third-party finders. However, there are general requirements for conducting business in the state of West Virginia. Those can be found on the WV Secretary of State’s web site: www.wvsos.com. Also, there is no fee limit in the WV Unclaimed Property Act; however, other statutes such as consumer protection may limit the amount of fees permissible. The West Virginia State Treasurer’s Office can provide a listing of the names and cities of last known address for unclaimed property owners. You may download the file from the following link into an excel file at no cost: https://www.wvsto.com/FOIA/FOIA10042022.zip. However, any further information regarding unclaimed property is exempt from disclosure under the WV FOIA pursuant to W.Va. Code §36-8-25 which provides that: “Records of abandoned property kept by the [unclaimed property] administrator are available for inspection and copying only by an owner of such property as to the particular property he or she owns, or by his or her personal representative next of kin, attorney at law or such person entitled to inherit from the owner conducting a legal audit thereof. These records are exempt from the provisions of chapter twenty-nine-b of this code.” Regarding any other instructions or requirements, those are determined per claim and provided during the claiming process. Additional information regarding claiming property can be located at www.wvtreasury.com. If there is anything additional you wish to request, do not hesitate to contact us. We have fully complied with your request and have satisfied the requirements of W.Va. Code §29B-1-1. If you disagree, you may write this Office explaining why you do not believe we have fully complied and ask for further information or documents, or you may seek redress by instituting proceedings for injunctive or declaratory relief in the Circuit Court of Kanawha County, West Virginia. Thank you for your request,