# Unclaimed Oil and Gas Royalties in West Virginia

> How to find and claim unclaimed oil and gas royalties in West Virginia: the official search site, dormancy period, claim proof, heir rules and fees.

- URL: https://www.buckheadenergy.com/unclaimed-mineral-royalties/west-virginia
- Last updated: 2026-11-02
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Quick answer

Unclaimed oil and gas royalties in West Virginia are held by the West Virginia State Treasurer's Office — Unclaimed Property; search its official site, wvunclaimedproperty.gov, under every name the royalties may have been paid to. Money a holder reserves for an unknown or unlocatable mineral interest owner follows a separate schedule: the holder reports and remits it to the Treasurer every calendar quarter (W. Va. Code § 37B-2-4). West Virginia presumes unpaid property abandoned after 3 years (W. Va. Code § 36-8-2(a)(18) ('all other property')), and the holder must then report it to the state.

[Search wvunclaimedproperty.gov](https://www.wvunclaimedproperty.gov/)

## Where to search in West Virginia

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)](https://www.wvunclaimedproperty.gov/)

## When unpaid royalties are presumed abandoned

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')](https://code.wvlegislature.gov/36-8-2/)

## How operators report unclaimed royalties

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](https://code.wvlegislature.gov/36-8-7/) · [W. Va. Code § 37B-2-4 (quarterly mineral report)](https://code.wvlegislature.gov/37B-2-4/)

## How to claim and what proof you need

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](https://www.wvunclaimedproperty.gov/app/faq-claim)

## Claiming for a deceased owner

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](https://www.wvunclaimedproperty.gov/app/faq-claim)

## Fees and finder services

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](https://www.wvunclaimedproperty.gov/app/faq-claim)

## Notes for oil and gas royalties

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](https://code.wvlegislature.gov/37B-2-4/)

## Frequently asked questions

### Where do I search for unclaimed oil and gas royalties in West Virginia?

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.

### How long before unpaid royalties are reported to the state in West Virginia?

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).

### What do I need to claim unclaimed royalties in West Virginia?

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.

### Can I claim a deceased relative's royalties in West Virginia?

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.

### Does it cost anything to claim unclaimed royalties in West Virginia?

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](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/unclaimed-mineral-royalties) · [suspended royalties](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/suspended-royalties-guide) · [find your payor](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/find-your-payor)

## About Buckhead Energy
Buckhead Energy is a direct buyer, not a broker — we purchase mineral and royalty interests with our own capital. Buckhead Energy buys mineral and royalty interests across all 50 states and has completed acquisitions in 33 states. Buckhead Energy has been buying mineral and royalty interests since 2006. Buckhead Energy holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. Buckhead provides a free written offer. Buckhead Energy typically provides an offer within 24–48 hours. Closings typically take 30–45 days, subject to title review and clearance. Buckhead Energy's written offers stay open for 14 days.

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