District of Columbia

The Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO) – Unclaimed Property Unit administers the District’s unclaimed property program under the District of Columbia Unclaimed Property Act. Like other jurisdictions, the law requires holders to report and remit unclaimed property after defined periods of inactivity, known as dormancy.

Overview of D.C.’s Unclaimed Property Law

Businesses and organizations—called “holders”—are required by D.C. law to identify, report, and remit unclaimed property once it reaches its dormancy threshold.

Common types of reportable property include:

• Checking and savings accounts
• Uncashed payroll and vendor checks
• Unclaimed dividends and securities
• Insurance policy benefits and annuities
• Utility deposits and customer refunds
• Safe deposit box contents

Once property becomes dormant, holders must make a good-faith effort to contact the owner before filing an unclaimed property report with the OCFO.

D.C. Dormancy Periods

Dormancy periods in D.C. vary by property type. Below are the most common timelines:

Note: Certain property types may have specific nuances. Always refer to the D.C. Unclaimed Property Unit for the latest requirements.

Due Diligence Requirements in D.C.

Before filing, holders must attempt to contact apparent owners to reduce unnecessary escheatment.

Key requirements include:

• Mail notice: Send written notice via first-class mail to the owner’s last known address for property valued at $50 or more, at least 60 days and no more than 180 days prior to the report deadline.‍
• Best practice: Supplemental outreach (such as email or phone) can increase successful recontacts and serve as strong evidence of good-faith compliance during audits.

D.C. Reporting Deadlines and Requirements

D.C. follows an annual reporting cycle with specific timelines for different holder types:

Insurance Companies:

• Report Period: January 1 - December 31
• Report and Payment Deadline: April 30

All Other Businesses:

• Report Period: July 1 - June 30

• Report and Payment Deadline: October 31

Additional requirements:

• Format: Reports must be submitted in NAUPA II format.
• Submission: Via the D.C. Unclaimed Property reporting portal.
• Negative Reports: Strongly encouraged for all, only required for companies that are domiciled in the District of Columbia.
• Remittance: Payments accepted via ACH or Wire Transfer.

Read more on D.C.’s Reporting FAQs page.

D.C.’s Voluntary Disclosure Program

For holders that have fallen behind, the District offers a Voluntary Disclosure Agreement (VDA) program that enables businesses to come into compliance without penalties or interest.

Program benefits:

• Waiver of penalties and interest for voluntarily disclosed property
• Defined remediation timeline in collaboration with the OCFO
• Opportunity to resolve historical obligations before enforcement actions

Read more on D.C.’s Voluntary Disclosure Program page.

How Eisen Helps You Stay Compliant in D.C.

Eisen’s platform and expertise streamline the entire escheatment lifecycle, helping holders in the District meet deadlines, reduce risk, and stay audit-ready.

• Escheatment Manager: Tracks dormancy periods by property type and generates D.C.-compliant reports in NAUPA format
• Outreach Manager: Automates due diligence notices, improves owner recontact rates, and ensures a complete audit trail
• Disbursement Manager: Handles secure, auditable payments (ACH, check, wire) to reduce reportable liabilities

Turn D.C. Compliance Into a Strategic Advantage

Complying with D.C.’s unclaimed property laws isn’t just about meeting deadlines. It’s about protecting customer assets, strengthening operational integrity, and minimizing risk. With Eisen, you can transform what often feels like a regulatory burden into a proactive compliance process that builds trust and operational resilience.

Need to manage unclaimed property nationwide? Explore our complete guide to escheatment laws by state or start with our escheatment services overview to gain insight into managing multi-jurisdiction compliance with ease.