District of Columbia · Fee law
District of Columbia caps unclaimed property finder fees at 10%
District of Columbia law caps what an unclaimed property recovery firm may charge you at 10% of the amount actually recovered, under D.C. Code 41-137. An agreement that charges more is unenforceable above the cap — in some states it is void entirely.
Nationally, caps run from 5% in Washington to 30% in Arizona, Colorado and South Dakota. District of Columbia's 10% is among the lowest in the country, and matches 31 others. We charge 10%.
The cap exists because this industry has a long history of firms charging a third of an inheritance to fill in a form. Knowing the number is most of the protection.
What that means on a $14,000 recovery
| Fee | You keep | |
|---|---|---|
| Filing it yourself, direct with the state | $0 | $14,000 |
| A firm charging the District of Columbia maximum (10%) | −$1,400 | $12,600 |
| Our fee (10%) | −$1,400 | $12,600 |
Filing yourself is free and we will tell you how. The reason to pay anyone is that the claim is hard — not that the money is otherwise unreachable.
District of Columbia locator rules at a glance
| Rule | District of Columbia |
|---|---|
| Maximum fee | 10% of the amount recovered |
| Statute | D.C. Code 41-137 |
| Waiting period before an agreement is valid | 24 months after the property reaches the state |
| Licence required | Under review |
| Fee payable before recovery? | Never. Any up-front request is fraud. |
| Can you file it yourself? | Yes, free, always. |
The one rule that never has an exception
Finder fee caps in other states
The same claim can cost you three times as much one state over.
District of Columbia finder fees: common questions
What is the maximum finder fee in District of Columbia?
District of Columbia caps it at 10% of the amount recovered, under D.C. Code 41-137. An agreement purporting to charge more is unenforceable above the cap. We charge 10%.
Do I have to use a finder at all?
No. You can always file directly with District of Columbia Office of Finance and Treasury for free, and for a simple claim in your own name that is usually the right choice. Finders exist for the claims that are not simple: a deceased owner, a dissolved business, securities, or an address you can no longer document.
Should I ever pay a fee up front?
No — never. A legitimate recovery firm is paid out of the recovered amount, after the state has paid you. Any request for money before you have been paid, for any reason (a "release fee", "processing", "taxes", "bonding"), is the classic advance-fee fraud and there are no exceptions to that rule.
Why is there a 24-month waiting period?
District of Columbia follows the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act, which voids a locator agreement signed within 24 months of the property reaching the state. The purpose is to give the state a fair chance to reunite you with your money for free first. A firm that signs you inside that window cannot lawfully enforce the agreement.
Does a finder need a licence in District of Columbia?
We have not yet verified District of Columbia's licensing rules. Assume a licence may be required and ask any firm to show you theirs.
What should a legitimate agreement contain?
In writing, before you hand over anything: the specific property being claimed, its stated value, the name of the holder, the fee as a percentage, a clear statement that nothing is owed if nothing is recovered, your right to cancel, and a statement that the firm is not a government agency. Several states require most of that by statute.
We charge 10% in every state, including the ones that allow 30%.
One published number, under every cap in the country, and nothing at all if the claim fails. Search your name free first — you may not need us.
Search your name — freeFee caps, statutes and waiting periods are compiled from state statutes and administrator guidance and are provided for information, not as legal advice. The controlling text is always the statute itself — here, D.C. Code 41-137. Last reviewed September 2026.
Find My Unclaimed is a private company. We are not a government agency and we are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of any state treasurer, controller, or unclaimed property office. You always have the right to file your own claim directly with the state for free.