Quick answer
Search wvunclaimedproperty.gov
West Virginia's unclaimed property is held by the State Treasurer's Office, which keeps it in custody with no deadline for owners or heirs to claim. The Treasurer's citizen page forwards to the official unclaimed property site.
Source: West Virginia State Treasurer's Office — Unclaimed Property (wvunclaimedproperty.gov)
West Virginia's Uniform Unclaimed Property Act lists no separate period for mineral proceeds or royalties, so the general 'all other property' period of three years applies. Separately, Chapter 37B has its own quarterly reporting rule for unknown or unlocatable mineral interest owners (see oil and gas note).
Dormancy period: 3 years
Statute: W. Va. Code § 36-8-2(a)(18) ('all other property')
Mineral-specific rule: No (general period)
Source: W. Va. Code § 36-8-2(a)(18) ('all other property')
West Virginia's annual unclaimed property report is due before November 1 and covers the twelve months before July 1. Money reserved for unknown or unlocatable mineral interest owners follows a separate quarterly report-and-remit schedule.
Report due: Before November 1 (life insurers: before May 1)
Covers property held as of: Covers the twelve months preceding July 1
Oil and gas rule: Under Chapter 37B, holders of reserved interests for unknown or unlocatable mineral interest owners report and remit to the Treasurer every calendar quarter, by the first day of the month after the quarter ends, with a full legal description and division-order information.
Sources: Official source · W. Va. Code § 37B-2-4 (quarterly mineral report)
West Virginia establishes ownership mainly through the reported address or the Social Security number. Old utility bills, insurance statements, tax returns or leases can prove a past address, and a notarized signature is needed only when the claim form asks for one.
How to file: Search and file on the Treasurer's unclaimed property site; the office contacts claimants if more documents are needed; processing can take up to 90 days.
Proof required: Proof of ownership, usually address or Social Security number verification (e.g., an old utility bill, insurance statement, tax return or rental agreement for a past address; a tax return or insurance card showing the SSN); proof of any name change; notarized signature if the form asks for one.
Source: Official claim instructions
If the estate is open, the court-appointed executor or administrator files the claim; if it has closed, the heirs file, using a certified copy of the will or final settlement from the county courthouse. With no will or estate, the surviving spouse or other heirs may be able to claim.
Documents: Open estate: the probate-court-appointed executor or administrator claims; closed estate: the heirs claim (certified copy of will and/or final settlement from the county courthouse); no will or estate: surviving spouse or other heirs may be able to claim.
Whether an estate must be opened is a legal question for a qualified attorney in that state.
Source: Official source
The Treasurer's Office charges no fee to search for or claim unclaimed property and does not refer owners to third parties. No statutory cap on finder fees was found in the Unclaimed Property Act article that was reviewed.
State claim fee: None
Source: Official source
West Virginia Code Chapter 37B, Article 2 (2018) makes the State Treasurer the administrator for money reserved for unknown or unlocatable mineral interest owners. Holders report each such interest quarterly with a full legal description (including division orders) and the owner's name, last address and SSN if known, and the article is to be read together with the Unclaimed Property Act.
Source: Official source
West Virginia's unclaimed property is held by the State Treasurer's Office, which keeps it in custody with no deadline for owners or heirs to claim. The Treasurer's citizen page forwards to the official unclaimed property site. Search under every name the royalties may have been paid to, including maiden names and deceased relatives.
West Virginia's Uniform Unclaimed Property Act lists no separate period for mineral proceeds or royalties, so the general 'all other property' period of three years applies. Separately, Chapter 37B has its own quarterly reporting rule for unknown or unlocatable mineral interest owners (see oil and gas note).
West Virginia establishes ownership mainly through the reported address or the Social Security number. Old utility bills, insurance statements, tax returns or leases can prove a past address, and a notarized signature is needed only when the claim form asks for one.
If the estate is open, the court-appointed executor or administrator files the claim; if it has closed, the heirs file, using a certified copy of the will or final settlement from the county courthouse. With no will or estate, the surviving spouse or other heirs may be able to claim. This is general information, not legal advice.
The Treasurer's Office charges no fee to search for or claim unclaimed property and does not refer owners to third parties. No statutory cap on finder fees was found in the Unclaimed Property Act article that was reviewed.
Educational information only, not legal or tax advice; consult a qualified attorney about your situation. Facts are from the state's unclaimed-property office and the state code, checked Nov 2, 2026. Related: unclaimed royalties in every state · suspended royalties · find your payor
