Happy family

Find a legal form in minutes

Browse US Legal Forms’ largest database of 85k state and industry-specific legal forms.

Oklahoma Disposition of Unclaimed Property Law

Abandoned Property – Disposition of Unclaimed Property Law – Oklahoma

Note:  This summary is not intended to be an all inclusive discussion of abandoned property law, but does include basic provisions.  You should check the State Laws for updates.

Title 60. Property
Chapter 13 Uniform Unclaimed Property Act

Definitions.
As used in the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act, unless the context otherwise requires:

1. “Apparent owner” means the person whose name appears on the records of the holder as the person entitled to property held, issued, or owing by the holder;

2. “Attorney General” means the chief legal officer of this state;

3. “Banking organization” means any bank, trust company, savings bank, safe deposit company, private banker, or any organization defined by other law as a bank or banking organization;

4. “Business association” means a non-public corporation, joint-stock company, investment company, business trust, partnership, or association for business purposes of two or more individuals whether or not for profit, including a banking organization, financial organization, insurance company, or utility;

5. “Domicile” means the state of incorporation of a corporation and the state of the principal place of business of an unincorporated person;

6. “Financial organization” means a savings and loan association, building and loan association, or credit union;

7. “Holder” means a person, wherever organized or domiciled, who is:

a. in possession of property belonging to another,

b. a trustee, or

c. indebted to another on an obligation;

8. “Insurance company” means an association, corporation, fraternal or mutual benefit organization, whether or not for profit, which is engaged in providing insurance coverage, including accidental, burial, casualty, credit life, contract performance, dental, fidelity, fire, health, hospitalization, illness, life (including endowments and annuities), malpractice, marine, mortgage, surety, and wage protection insurance;

9. “Intangible property” includes:

a. money, checks, drafts, deposits, interest, dividends, and income;

b. credit balances, customer overpayments, security deposits, refunds, credit memos, unpaid wages, unused airline tickets, and unidentified remittances;

c. stocks and other intangible ownership interests in business associations;

d. monies deposited to redeem stocks, bonds, coupons, and other securities, or to make distributions;

e. amounts due and payable under the terms of insurance policies; and

f. amounts distributable from a trust or custodial fund established under a plan to provide health, welfare, pension, vacation, severance, retirement, death, stock purchase, profit sharing, employee savings, supplemental unemployment insurance, or similar benefits;

10. “Last-known address” means a description of the location of the apparent owner sufficient for the purpose of the delivery of mail;

11. “Memorandum” shall include a mark, symbol or statement indicating knowledge of or interest in funds on deposit;

12. “Mineral proceeds” includes:

a. all obligations to pay mineral proceeds resulting from the production and sale of minerals, including net revenue interest, royalties, overriding royalties, production payments, and payments under joint operating agreements; and

b. all obligations for the acquisition and retention of a mineral lease, including bonuses, delay rentals, shut-in royalties, and minimum royalties;

13. “Museum” means institution which is located in this state and operated by a nonprofit corporation or a public agency primarily for educational, scientific, historic preservation or aesthetic purposes, and which owns, borrows, cares for, exhibits, studies archives or catalogues property. “Museum” includes, but is not limited to, historical societies, historical sites or landmarks, parks, monuments and libraries;

14. “Owner” means a depositor in the case of a deposit, a beneficiary in case of a trust other than a deposit in trust, a creditor, claimant, or payee in the case of other intangible property, or a person having a legal or equitable interest in property subject to the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act or the person’s legal representative. Where more than one person is an owner, the property shall not be presumed abandoned unless it has remained unclaimed by all of its owners for the periods hereinafter prescribed;

15. “Person” means an individual, business association, state or other government, governmental subdivision or agency, public corporation, public authority, estate, trust, two or more persons having a joint or common interest, or any other legal or commercial entity;

16. “State” means any state, district, commonwealth, territory, insular possession, or other area subject to the legislative authority of the United States;

17. “State Treasurer” or “Treasurer” means the duly elected and acting State Treasurer of Oklahoma;

18. “Tax Commission” or “Commission” means the Oklahoma Tax Commission; and

19. “Utility” means a person who owns or operates for public use any plant, equipment, property, franchise, or license for the transmission of communications, or the production, storage, transmission, sale, delivery, or furnishing of electricity, water, steam, or gas.

Title 60, Chap. 13, §651

Sums Payable on Travelers Check or Money Order Presumed Abandoned.

(a) Subject to subsection (d) of this section and except as hereinafter provided, any sum payable on a travelers check that has been outstanding for more than fifteen (15) years after its issuance is presumed abandoned unless the owner, within fifteen (15) years, has communicated in writing with the issuer concerning it or otherwise indicated an interest as evidenced by a memorandum or other record on file prepared by an employee of the issuer.

No travelers check shall be presumed to be abandoned if the holder has sent a statement or other business communication concerning the travelers check to the owner by first-class mail and the statement or other business communication has not been returned for inability to make delivery to the addressee. The fifteen-year abandonment period shall begin to run when any statement or other business communication to the owner has been returned as undeliverable, or on the last date that the owner has communicated with the holder in any of the ways specified in this subsection, whichever is later. For purposes of this section, the issuer shall be the entity responsible for the payment of the travelers check.

(b) Subject to subsection (d) of this section, any sum payable on a money order or similar written instrument, other than a third-party bank check, that has been outstanding for more than seven (7) years after its issuance is presumed abandoned unless the owner, within seven (7) years, has communicated in writing with the issuer concerning it or otherwise indicated an interest as evidenced by a memorandum or other record on file prepared by an employee of the issuer.

(c) A holder may not deduct from the amount of a travelers check or money order any charge imposed by reason of the failure to present the instrument for payment unless there is a valid and enforceable written contract between the issuer and the owner of the instrument pursuant to which the issuer may impose a charge and the issuer regularly imposes such charges and does not regularly reverse or otherwise cancel them.

(d) No sum payable on a travelers check, money order, or similar written instrument, other than a third-party check, described in subsections (a) and (b) of this section may be subjected to the custody of this state as unclaimed property unless:

(1) the records of the issuer show that the travelers check, money order, or similar written instrument was purchased in this state;

(2) the issuer has its principal place of business in this state and the records of the issuer do not show the state in which the travelers check, money order, or similar written instrument was purchased; or

(3) the issuer has its principal place of business in this state, the records of the issuer show the state in which the travelers check, money order, or similar written instrument was purchased and the laws of the state of purchase either do not provide for the escheat or custodial taking of the property or its escheat or unclaimed property law is not applicable to the property.

(e) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this act, subsection (d) of this section applies to sums payable on travelers checks, money orders, and similar written instruments presumed abandoned on or after February 1, 1965, except to the extent that those sums have been paid over to a state prior to January 1, 1974.

Title 60, Chap. 13, §651.1

Outstanding Sums Presumed Abandoned.
Any sum payable on a check, certified check, cashier’s check, draft, or similar instrument, except those subject to Section 651.1 of this title, on which a banking or financial organization is directly liable, which has been outstanding for more than five (5) years after it was payable or after its issuance if payable on demand, is presumed abandoned, unless the owner, within five (5) years, has communicated in writing with the banking or financial organization concerning it or otherwise indicated an interest as evidenced by a memorandum or other record, on file, prepared by an employee thereof.

Title 60, Chap. 13, §651.2

Property Held by Banking or Financial Organizations.

A. Any demand, savings, or matured time deposit with a banking or financial organization, and any funds paid toward the purchase of a share, a mutual investment certificate, or any other interest in a banking or financial organization is presumed abandoned, unless the owner, within five (5) years has:

1. In the case of a deposit, increased or decreased its amount or presented the passbook or other similar evidence of the deposit for the crediting of interest;

2. Communicated in writing with the banking or financial organization concerning the property;

3. Otherwise indicated an interest in the property as evidenced by a memorandum or other record on file prepared by an employee of the banking or financial organization;

4. Owned other property to which the provisions of paragraph 1, 2 or 3 of this subsection apply and if the banking or financial organization communicates in writing with the owner with regard to the property that would otherwise be presumed abandoned under this subsection at the address to which communications regarding the other property are regularly sent; or

5. Had another relationship with the banking or financial organization concerning which the owner has:

a. communicated in writing with the banking or financial organization; or

b. otherwise indicated an interest as evidenced by a memorandum or other record on file prepared by an employee of the banking or financial organization and if the banking or financial organization communicates in writing with the owner with regard to the property that would otherwise be abandoned under this subsection at the address to which communications regarding the other relationship regularly are sent.

If a banking or financial organization has sent a statement or other business communication concerning such property to the owner by first-class mail and the statement or other business communication has not been returned for inability to make delivery to the addressee, the property shall not be presumed to be abandoned. The five-year abandonment period shall begin to run when any statement or other business communication to the owner has been returned as undeliverable, or on the last date that the owner has communicated with the banking or financial organization in any of the ways specified in paragraphs 1 through 5 of this subsection, whichever is the later.

B. For purposes of subsection A of this section, “property” includes interest and dividends.

C. A holder may not impose with respect to property described in subsection A of this section any charge due to dormancy or inactivity or cease payment of interest unless:

1. Reasonable notice that the holder may impose the charge or cease payment of interest is given to the owner of the property, either:

a. at the time the account is opened,

b. through a schedule of charges sent to the owner of the property, or

c. through a statement in the rules, regulations, or bylaws of the holder that the holder may impose the charge or cease payment of interest; and

2. The holder regularly imposes such charges or ceases payment of interest. If the holder regularly reverses or otherwise cancels such charges or retroactively credits interest for a reason other than an error or omission by the holder, then in proportion to the extent that it does so with respect to other deposits, the holder shall likewise reverse or otherwise cancel charges or retroactively credit interest with respect to property that is reported to the State Treasurer as unclaimed under the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act.

D. Automatically renewable time deposits shall be subject to this section, except that automatically renewable time deposits shall be presumed abandoned fifteen (15) years following the expiration of the initial time period of the time deposit unless, during that period the owner has:

1. Increased or decreased the amount of the deposit;

2. Communicated in writing with the banking or financial organization concerning the property;

3. Otherwise indicated an interest in the property as evidenced by a memorandum or other record on file prepared by an employee of the banking or financial organization; or

4. Had another relationship with the banking or financial organization concerning which the owner has:

a. communicated in writing with the banking or financial organization, or

b. otherwise indicated an interest as evidenced by a memorandum or other record on file prepared by an employee of the banking or financial organization and if the banking or financial organization communicates in writing with the owner with regard to the property that would otherwise be presumed abandoned under this section at the address to which communications regarding the other relationship are regularly sent.

Upon presumed abandonment of the automatically renewable time deposit, the holder shall report the presumed abandonment to the State Treasurer and may, at the holder’s option, either retain the property or pay or deliver it to the State Treasurer.

Title 60, Chap. 13, § 652

Unclaimed Funds Held By Life Insurance Corporations.

(a) Funds held or owing under any life or endowment insurance policy or annuity contract that has matured or terminated are presumed abandoned if unclaimed for more than five (5) years after the funds became due and payable as established from the records of the insurance company holding or owing the funds, but property described in paragraph (2) of subsection (c) of this section is presumed abandoned if unclaimed for more than two (2) years.

(b) If a person other than the insured or annuitant is entitled to the funds and an address of the person is not known to the company or it is not definite and certain from the records who is entitled to the funds, it is presumed that the last-known address of the person entitled to the funds is the same as the last-known address of the insured or annuitant according to the records of the company.

(c) For purposes of this act, a life or endowment insurance policy or annuity contract not matured by actual proof of death of the insured according to the records of the company is matured and the proceeds due and payable if:

(1) the company knows that the insured or annuitant has died; or

(2)

(A) the insured has attained, or would have attained if he were living, the limiting age under the mortality table on which the reserve is based;

(B) the policy was in force at the time the insured attained, or would have attained, the limiting age specified in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph; and

(C) neither the insured nor any person appearing to have an interest in the policy within the preceding two (2) years, according to the records of the company, has assigned, readjusted, or paid premiums on the policy, subjected the policy to loan, or corresponded in writing with the company concerning the policy, or otherwise indicated an interest as evidenced by a memorandum or other record on file prepared by an employee of the company.

(d) For purposes of this act, the application of an automatic premium loan provision or other nonforfeiture provisions contained in an insurance policy does not prevent a policy from being matured or terminated under subsection (a) of this section if the insured has died or the insured or the beneficiary of the policy otherwise has become entitled to the proceeds thereof before the depletion of the cash surrender value of a policy by the application of those provisions.

(e) If the laws of this state or the terms of the life insurance policy require the company to give notice to the insured or the owner that an automatic premium loan provision or other nonforfeiture provision has been exercised and the notice, given to an insured or owner whose last-known address according to the records of the company is in this state, is undeliverable, the company shall make a reasonable search to ascertain the policyholder’s correct address to which the notice must be mailed.

(f) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if the company learns of the death of the insured or annuitant and the beneficiary has not communicated with the insurer within four (4) months after the death, the company shall take reasonable steps to pay the proceeds to the beneficiary.

(g) Commencing two (2) years after the effective date of this act, every change of beneficiary form issued by an insurance company under any life or endowment insurance policy or annuity contract to an insured or owner who is a resident of the state must request the following information:

(1) the name of each beneficiary, or if a class of beneficiaries is named, the name of each current beneficiary in the class;

(2) the address of each beneficiary; and

(3) the relationship of each beneficiary to the insured.Title 60, Chap. 13, §653

Funds Held by Utilities.
The following funds held or owing by any utility are presumed abandoned:

Any deposit made by a subscriber with a utility to secure payment for, or any sum paid in advance for, utility services to be furnished in this state, less any lawful deductions, that has remained unclaimed by the person appearing on the records of the utility entitled thereto for more than seven (7) years after the termination of the services for which the deposit or advance payment was made.

Title 60, Chap. 13, §654

Unclaimed Refund Presumed Abandoned.
Except to the extent otherwise ordered by the court or administrative agency, any sum that a business association has been ordered to refund by a court or administrative agency which has remained unclaimed by the owner for more than one (1) year after it became payable in accordance with the final determination or order providing for the refund, whether or not the final determination or order requires any person entitled to a refund to make a claim for it, is presumed abandoned.

Title 60, Chap. 13, §654.1

Undistributed Dividends and Distributions of Business Associations.

A. Except as otherwise provided in subsections B and E of this section, stock or other intangible ownership interest in a business association, the existence of which is evidenced by records available to the association, is presumed abandoned and, with respect to the interest, the association is the holder, if a dividend, distribution, or other money payable as a result of the interest has remained unclaimed by the owner for seven (7) years and the owner within seven (7) years has not:

1. Communicated in writing with the association regarding the interest or a dividend, distribution, or other money payable as a result of the interest; or

2. Otherwise communicated with the association regarding the interest or a dividend, distribution, or other money payable as a result of the interest, as evidenced by a memorandum or other record on file with the association prepared by an employee of the association.

B. At the expiration of a seven-year period following the failure of the owner to claim a dividend, distribution, or other sum payable to the owner as a result of the interest, the interest is not presumed abandoned unless there have been at least seven (7) dividends, distributions, or other sums paid during the period, none of which has been claimed by the owner. If seven (7) dividends, distributions, or other sums are paid during the seven-year period, the period leading to a presumption of abandonment commences on the date payment of the first such unclaimed dividend, distribution, or other sum became due and payable. If seven (7) dividends, distributions, or other sums are not paid during the presumptive period, the period continues to run until there have been seven (7) dividends, distributions, or other sums that have not been claimed by the owner.

C. The running of the seven-year period of abandonment ceases immediately upon the occurrence of a communication described in subsection A of this section. If any future dividend, distribution, or other sum payable to the owner as a result of the interest is subsequently not claimed by the owner, a new period of abandonment commences and relates back to the time a subsequent dividend, distribution, or other sum became due and payable.

D. At the time an interest is presumed abandoned under this section, any dividend, distribution, or other sum then held for or owing to the owner as a result of the interest, and not previously presumed abandoned, is presumed abandoned.

E. A stock or other intangible ownership interest enrolled in a plan that provides for the automatic reinvestment of dividends, distributions, or other sums payable as a result of the interest shall be subject to this section, except that the period of abandonment shall be fifteen (15) years. Such property shall not be presumed to be abandoned if the holder has sent a statement or other business communication concerning such property to the owner by first-class mail and the statement or other business communication has not been returned for inability to make delivery to the addressee. The fifteen-year abandonment period shall begin to run when any statement or other business communication to the owner has been returned as undeliverable, or on the last date that the owner has communicated with the holder in any of the ways specified in subsection A of this section, whichever is the later. If, at the time provided for delivery in Section 663 of this title, any penalty or forfeiture in the payment of dividends, distributions, or other sums payable as a result of the property would result from its delivery to the State Treasurer, the time for delivery shall be extended until the time when no penalty or forfeiture would result.

F. The Uniform Unclaimed Property Act shall not apply to patronage dividends, capital credits, customer deposits or non-negotiated payment checks held or owing by cooperative electric power or telephone associations organized under Sections 437 and 438.1 of Title 18 of the Oklahoma Statutes, rural water, sewer, gas and solid waste management districts organized under Section 1324.1 of Title 82 of the Oklahoma Statutes, or agricultural cooperative marketing or supply associations organized under Section 361 of Title 2 of the Oklahoma Statutes; when such associations are domiciled in Oklahoma.

Title 60, Chap. 13, §655

Unclaimed Intangible Property Presumed Abandoned.
Intangible property distributable in the course of a dissolution of a business association which remains unclaimed by the owner for more than one (1) year after the date specified for final distribution is presumed abandoned.

Title 60, Chap. 13, § 655.1

Property or Funds Held by Fiduciary.

(a) Intangible property and any income or increment derived therefrom held in a fiduciary capacity for the benefit of another person is presumed abandoned unless the owner, within seven (7) years after it has become payable or distributable, has increased or decreased the principal, accepted payment of principal or income, communicated concerning the property, or otherwise indicated an interest as evidenced by a memorandum on file with the fiduciary.

(b) Funds in an individual retirement account or a retirement plan for self-employed individuals or similar account or plan established under the Internal Revenue laws of the United States are not payable or distributable within the meaning of subsection (a) of this section unless, under the terms of the account or plan, distribution of all or part of the funds would then be mandatory.

(c) For the purpose of this section, a person who holds property as an agent for a business association is deemed to hold the property in a fiduciary capacity for that business association alone, unless the agreement between him and the business association provides otherwise.

(d) For the purposes of this act, a person who is deemed to hold property in a fiduciary capacity for a business association alone is the holder of the property only insofar as the interest of the business association in the property is concerned, and the business association is the holder of the property insofar as the interest of any other person in the property is concerned.

Title 60, Chap. 13, §656

“Property Held by Courts, Public Officers and Agencies.”
Intangible property held for the owner by a court, state or other government, governmental subdivision or agency, public corporation, or public authority which remains unclaimed by the owner for more than one (1) year after becoming payable or distributable is presumed abandoned.

Title 60, Chap. 13, §657

Credit Memo.

(a) A credit memo issued in the ordinary course of an issuer’s business which has a value of more than Fifty Dollars ($50.00) and remains unclaimed by the owner for more than five (5) years after becoming payable or distributable is presumed abandoned.

(b) With regard to a credit memo, the amount presumed abandoned is the amount credited to the recipient of the memo. In applying the Fifty Dollar ($50.00) limitation, individual credit memos to the same owner shall not be aggregated.

Title 60, Chap. 13, §657.1

Unpaid Wages Presumed Abandoned.
Unpaid wages, including wages represented by unpresented payroll checks, owing in the ordinary course of the holder’s business which remain unclaimed by the owner for more than one (1) year after becoming payable are presumed abandoned.

Title 60, Chap. 13, §657.2

Unclaimed Property Held in Safe Deposit Box Presumed Abandoned.
All tangible and intangible personal property held in a safe deposit box or other safekeeping repository in this state in the ordinary course of the holder’s business and proceeds resulting from the sale of the property permitted by other law, which remain unclaimed by the owner for more than five (5) years after the lease or rental period on the box or other repository has expired, are presumed abandoned.

Title 60, Chap. 13, §657.3

Intangible Property that is Presumed Abandoned.

A. All intangible property, including but not limited to securities, principal, interest, dividends or other earnings thereon, less any lawful charges, held by a business association, federal, state or local government or governmental subdivision, agency or entity, or any other person or entity, regardless of where the holder may be found, if the owner has not claimed such property or corresponded in writing with the holder concerning the property within three (3) years after the date prescribed for payment or delivery by the issuer, unless the holder is a state that has taken custody pursuant to its own unclaimed property laws, in which case no additional period of holding beyond that of such state is necessary hereunder, is presumed abandoned and subject to the custody of this state as unclaimed property if:

1. The last-known address of the owner is unknown; and

2. The person or entity originating or issuing the intangible property is in this state or any political subdivision of this state, or is incorporated, organized, created or otherwise located in this state.

B. The provisions of subsection A of this section shall not apply to property which is or may be presumed abandoned and subject to the custody of this state pursuant to any other provision of law containing a dormancy period different than that prescribed in subsection A of this section.

C. The provisions of subsection A of this section shall apply to all property held at the time of the effective date of this act, or at any time thereafter, regardless of when such property became or becomes presumptively abandoned.

Title 60, Chap. 13, §657.4

Miscellaneous Personal Property Held for Another.

(a) Except as otherwise provided by this act, all intangible personal property, including income or increment derived from the property, less any lawful charges, that is held, issued, or owing in the ordinary course of a holder’s business and has remained unclaimed by the owner for more than five (5) years after becoming payable or distributable is presumed abandoned.

(b) Property is payable or distributable for the purposes of this act notwithstanding the owner’s failure to demand the property or to present an instrument or document required to receive payment of the property.

Title 60, Chap. 13, §658

Mineral Interest in Land in Oklahoma.
Any mineral interest in land in Oklahoma shall be subject to escheat under the provisions of Sections 271 through 277 of Title 84 of the Oklahoma Statutes if it generates an intangible property interest which is presumed abandoned under the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act as provided in Sections 651 through 686 of this act or under similar laws of another state.

All holders of intangible property interests generated by a mineral interest in land in Oklahoma shall report to the State Treasurer, in addition to the reporting otherwise required by law, the names and the last-known addresses of owners of record of the unclaimed mineral interest, the legal description of the land affected, and the extent of the property rights in the mineral interest. Only one report with respect to each owner and mineral interest is necessary; subsequent reports must include complete information with respect to all new owners and new unclaimed mineral interests.

The State Treasurer shall send a copy of the report required by this section to the Attorney General, to the district attorney of the county in which the land is located, and to the county clerk of the county in which the land is located, and the clerk shall maintain the list for public viewing. The clerk shall also report to the board of county commissioners that the report has been received, and note the receipt in the minutes of the meeting, so the public can be informed.

The State Treasurer is authorized to develop procedures for the implementation of the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act.

Title 60, Chap. 13, §658.1

Mineral Interest Generating Intangible Personal Property Presumed Abandoned.
Mineral interests which have generated intangible personal property may be presumed by the district court to be abandoned and subject to the provisions that apply to mineral interests covered by Section 658.1 of this title and Sections 271 through 277 of Title 84 of the Oklahoma Statutes if the court determines that the mineral interests should have been reported to the State Treasurer but were not so reported as required by the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act.

Title 60, Chap. 13, §658.1A

“Repealed by Laws 1991, c. 331, § 64, eff. Sept. 1, 1991.”

Title 60, Chap. 13, §658.2

“Repealed by Laws 1991, c. 331, § 64, eff. Sept. 1, 1991.”

Title 60, Chap. 13, §658.3

“Repealed by Laws 1991, c. 331, § 64, eff. Sept. 1, 1991.”

Title 60, Chap. 13, §658.4

“Repealed by Laws 1991, c. 331, § 64, eff. Sept. 1, 1991.”

Title 60, Chap. 13, §658.5

“Repealed by Laws 1991, c. 331, § 64, eff. Sept. 1, 1991.”

Title 60, Chap. 13, §658.6

“Repealed by Laws 1991, c. 331, § 64, eff. Sept. 1, 1991.”

Title 60, Chap. 13, §658.7

“Repealed by Laws 1991, c. 331, § 64, eff. Sept. 1, 1991.”

Title 60, Chap. 13, §658.8

Additional Conditions Leading to Presumption of Abandonment.
Unless otherwise provided in the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act or by other statute of this state, intangible personal property is subject to the custody of this state as unclaimed property if the conditions raising a presumption of abandonment under Sections 651.1 and 651.2 through 658.1A of this title are satisfied, and:

1. The last-known address, as shown on the records of the holder, of the apparent owner is in this state;

2. The records of the holder do not reflect the identity of the person entitled to the property and it is established that the last-known address of the person entitled to the property is in this state;

3. The records of the holder do not reflect the last-known address of the apparent owner, and it is established that:

a. the last-known address of the person entitled to the property is in this state, or

b. the holder is a domiciliary or a government or governmental subdivision or agency of this state and has not previously paid or delivered the property to the state of the last-known address of the apparent owner or other person entitled to the property;

4. The last-known address, as shown on the records of the holder, of the apparent owner is in a state that does not provide by law for the escheat or custodial taking of the property or its escheat or unclaimed property law is not applicable to the property, and the holder is a domiciliary, government, or governmental subdivision or agency, including a municipality, of this state;

5. The last-known address, as shown on the records of the holder, of the apparent owner is in a foreign nation and the holder is a domiciliary or a government or governmental subdivision or agency of this state; or

6. The transaction out of which the property arose occurred in this state, and

a.

(1) the last-known address of the apparent owner or other person entitled to the property is unknown, or

(2) the last-known address of the apparent owner or other person entitled to the property is in a state that does not provide by law for the escheat or custodial taking of the property or its escheat or unclaimed property law is not applicable to the property, and

b. the holder is a domiciliary of a state that does not provide by law for the escheat or custodial taking of the property or its escheat or unclaimed property law is not applicable to the property.

Title 60, Chap. 13, §659

“Repealed by Laws 2001, SB 544 c. 133 § 14, emerg. eff. April 24, 2001.”

Title 60, Chap. 13, §659.1

“Repealed by Laws 1991, c. 331, § 64, eff. Sept. 1, 1991.”

Title 60, Chap. 13, §660

Report of Abandoned Property

A. A person holding property, tangible or intangible, presumed abandoned and subject to custody as unclaimed property under the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act shall report to the State Treasurer concerning the property as provided in this section.

B. The report must be verified and must include:

1. The name, if known, and last-known address, if any, of each person appearing from the records of the holder to be the owner of property of the value of Fifty Dollars ($50.00) or more presumed abandoned under the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act;

2. In the case of unclaimed funds of Fifty Dollars ($50.00) or more held or owing under any life or endowment insurance policy or annuity contract, the full name and last-known address of the insured or annuitant and of the beneficiary according to the records of the insurance company holding or owing the funds;

3. In the case of the contents of a safe deposit box or other safekeeping repository or of other tangible personal property, a description of the property and the place where it is held, which may be inspected by the State Treasurer, and any amounts, including offsets for drilling costs and rent, owing to the holder;

4. The nature and identifying number, if any, or description of the property and the amount appearing from the records to be due, except that items of value under Fifty Dollars ($50.00) each must be reported in the aggregate; and

5. The date when the property became payable, demandable or returnable, and the date of the last transaction with the owner with respect to the property.

C. If the person holding property presumed abandoned and subject to custody as unclaimed property is a successor to other persons who previously held the property for the apparent owner or if the holder has changed his or her name while holding the property, the holder shall file with the report all known names and addresses of each previous holder of the property.

D. The report must be filed before November 1 of each year for property reportable as of the preceding September 1, but the report of any life insurance company must be filed before May 1 of each year for property reportable as of the preceding March 1. The State Treasurer may postpone the reporting date upon written request by any person required to file a report.

E. Not more than one hundred twenty (120) days before filing the report required by this section, the holder in possession of property presumed abandoned and subject to custody as unclaimed property under the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act shall send written notice to the apparent owner at the owner’s last-known address informing the owner that the holder is in possession of property subject to the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act if:

1. The holder has in its records an address for the apparent owner which the holder’s records do not disclose to be inaccurate;

2. The claim of the apparent owner is not barred by the statute of limitations; and

3. The property has a value of Fifty Dollars ($50.00) or more. The holder is not required to send written notice to the owner if the holder has previously attempted to communicate with the owner, or otherwise exercised due diligence to ascertain the whereabouts of the owner. The mailing of notice by first-class mail to the last-known address of the owner by the holder shall constitute compliance with this subsection and, if done, no further act on the part of the holder shall be necessary.

F. Reports filed by a holder shall remain confidential except for that information required to be subject to public inspection pursuant to the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act.

Title 60, Chap. 13, §661

Notice and Publication of Lists of Abandoned Property.

A. The State Treasurer shall cause notice to be published not later than March 1, or in the case of property reported by life insurance companies, September 1, of the year following the report required by Section 661 of this title at least once each week for two (2) consecutive weeks in a legal newspaper of general circulation in the county in this state in which is located the last-known address of any person to be named in the notice. If no address is listed or if the address is outside this state, the notice must be published in the county in which the holder of the abandoned property has his or her principal place of business within this state, or in a newspaper which the State Treasurer believes most likely to be seen by the owner of the property or by heirs of the owner.

B. The published notice must be entitled “Notice of Names of Persons Appearing to be Owners of Abandoned Property”, and contain:

1. The names in alphabetical order and last-known address, if any, of persons listed in the report and entitled to notice within the county as specified in subsection A of this section;

2. A statement that information concerning the property and the name and last-known address of the holder may be obtained by any person possessing an interest in the property by addressing an inquiry to the State Treasurer; and

3. A statement that if proof of claim is not presented by the owner to the holder and the right of the owner to receive the property is not established to the satisfaction of the holder before April 20, or, in the case of property reported by life insurance companies, before October 20, the property will be placed not later than May 1, or in the case of property reported by life insurance companies, not later than November 1, in the custody of the State Treasurer and all further claims must thereafter be directed to the State Treasurer.

C. The State Treasurer is not required to publish in the notice any items of less than Fifty Dollars ($50.00) unless the State Treasurer considers their publication to be in the public interest.

D. Not later than March 1, or in the case of property reported by life insurance companies, not later than September 1, of the year immediately following the report required by Section 661 of this title, the State Treasurer shall mail a notice to each person whose last-known address is listed in the report and who appears to be entitled to property of the value of Fifty Dollars ($50.00) or more presumed abandoned under the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act and any beneficiary of a life or endowment insurance policy or annuity contract for whom the State Treasurer has a last-known address. The State Treasurer is hereby authorized to obtain information as necessary from the Oklahoma Tax Commission to determine the last-known address of any such person.

E. The mailed notice must contain:

1. A statement that, according to a report filed with the State Treasurer, property is being held to which the addressee appears entitled;

2. The name and last-known address of the person holding the property and any necessary information regarding the changes of name and last-known address of the holder; and

3. A statement that, if satisfactory proof of claim is not presented by the owner to the holder by the date specified in the published notice, the property will be placed in the custody of the State Treasurer and all further claims must be directed to the State Treasurer.

Title 60, Chap. 13, §662

Payment or Delivery of Abandoned Property.

A. Except as otherwise provided in subsections B and C of this section, a person who is required to file a report under Section 661 of this title, within six (6) months after the final date for filing the report as required by Section 661 of this title, shall pay or deliver to the State Treasurer all abandoned property required to be reported after first deducting therefrom expenses incurred in the mailing of notices required by subsection E of Section 661 of this title and any offsets as provided by law. Any such person who, pursuant to a statutory requirement, filed a bond or bonds pertaining to such abandoned property with the State Treasurer may also deduct an amount equivalent to that part of the bond premium attributable to such abandoned property.

B. If the owner establishes the right to receive the abandoned property to the satisfaction of the holder before the property has been delivered, or it appears that for some other reason the presumption of abandonment is erroneous, the holder need not pay or deliver the property to the State Treasurer, and the property will no longer be presumed abandoned. In that case the holder shall file with the State Treasurer a verified written explanation of the proof of claim or of the error in the presumption of abandonment.

C. Abandoned property that consists of any stock or other intangible ownership interest enrolled in a plan that provides for the automatic reinvestment of dividends, distributions, or other sums payable as a result of the interest, may be retained by the holder or paid or delivered to the State Treasurer at the option of the holder.

D. The holder of an ownership interest under Section 655 of this title shall deliver a duplicate certificate or other evidence of ownership if the holder does not issue certificates of ownership to the State Treasurer. Upon delivery of a duplicate certificate to the State Treasurer, the holder and any transfer agent, registrar, or other person acting for or on behalf of a holder in executing or delivering the duplicate certificate is relieved of liability as provided in Section 664 of this title to every person, including any person acquiring the original certificate or the duplicate of the certificate issued to the State Treasurer, for losses or damages resulting to any person by the issuance and delivery to the State Treasurer of the duplicate certificate.

Title 60, Chap. 13, §663

Relief From Liability by Payment or Delivery.

A. Upon the payment or delivery of abandoned property to the State Treasurer, the state assumes custody and responsibility for the safekeeping of the property. A person who pays or delivers property to the State Treasurer in good faith is relieved of all liability to the extent of the value of the property paid or delivered for any claim then existing or which thereafter may arise or be made in respect to the property.

B. A holder who has paid money to the State Treasurer pursuant to the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act may make payment to any person appearing to the holder to be entitled to payment; and upon filing proof of such payment and proof that the payee was entitled thereto, the State Treasurer shall promptly reimburse the holder for the payment without imposing a fee or other charge. If reimbursement is sought for a payment made on a negotiable instrument, including a travelers check or money order, the holder must be reimbursed under this subsection upon filing proof that the instrument was presented and that payment was made to a person who appeared to the holder to be entitled to payment. The holder must be reimbursed for payment made under this subsection even if the holder paid a person whose claim was barred under subsection A of Section 666 of this title.

C. A holder who has delivered property, including, but not limited to, a certificate of an ownership interest in a business association, other than money to the State Treasurer pursuant to the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act may reclaim the property if still in the possession of the State Treasurer, without paying any fee or other charge, upon filing proof that the owner has claimed the property from the holder.

D. The State Treasurer may accept the holder’s affidavit as sufficient proof of the facts that entitle the holder to recover money and property under this section.

E. If the holder pays or delivers property to the State Treasurer in good faith and thereafter another person claims the property from the holder or another state claims the money or property under its laws relating to escheat or abandoned or unclaimed property, the State Treasurer, upon written notice of the claim, shall defend the holder against the claim and, to the extent of the property’s value, shall indemnify the holder against liability on the claim.

Neither the holder nor the State Treasurer shall be liable for more than the value of the property, determined as of the time of its payment or delivery to the State Treasurer, if the holder paid or delivered the property to the State Treasurer in good faith.

F. For the purposes of this section, “good faith” means that:

1. Payment or delivery was made in a reasonable attempt to comply with the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act;

2. The person delivering the property was not a fiduciary then in breach of trust in respect to the property and had a reasonable basis for believing, based on the facts then known to him, that the property was abandoned for the purposes of the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act; and

3. There is no showing that the records under which the delivery was made did not meet reasonable commercial standards of practice in the industry.

Title 60, Chap. 13, §664

Income Accruing After Payment or Delivery.
Whenever property other than money is paid or delivered to the State Treasurer under the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act, the owner is entitled to receive from the State Treasurer dividends, interest, or other increments realized or accruing on the property at or before liquidation or conversion thereof into money.

Title 60, Chap. 13, §665

Periods of Limitation Not a Bar.

A. The expiration after September 1, 1991, of any period of time specified by contract, statute, or court order, during which a claim for money or property can be made or during which an action or proceeding may be commenced or enforced to obtain payment of a claim for money or to recover property, does not prevent the money or property from being presumed abandoned property or affect any duty to file a report or to pay or deliver abandoned property to the State Treasurer as required by the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act.

B. No action or proceeding may be commenced by the State Treasurer with respect to any duty of a holder under the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act more than four (4) years after the holder files the report pursuant to Section 661 of this title or ten (10) years after the duty arose, whichever is earlier.

C. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection B of this section or any other provision of law, the expiration of any period of time specified by law during which an action or proceeding may be commenced or enforced to obtain payment of a claim for money or recovery of property shall not serve as a defense in any action or proceeding brought by or on behalf of the State Treasurer against any federal, state or local government or governmental subdivision, agency, entity, officer or appointee thereof, for the payment or delivery of any abandoned property to the State Treasurer pursuant to the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act or to enforce or collect any penalty provided by the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act.

D. The provisions of subsection C of this section shall apply to all abandoned property held by any federal, state or local government or governmental subdivision, agency, entity, officer or appointee thereof, at the time of enactment, or at any time thereafter, regardless of when such property became or becomes presumptively abandoned.

Title 60, Chap. 13, §666

Sale of Abandoned Property.

A. Except as provided in subsections C and D of this section, the State Treasurer, within three (3) years after the receipt of abandoned property, shall sell it to the highest bidder at public sale in whatever city in the state affords in the judgment of the State Treasurer the most favorable market for the property involved. The State Treasurer may decline the highest bid and reoffer the property for sale if in the judgment of the State Treasurer the bid is insufficient. If in the judgment of the State Treasurer the probable cost of sale exceeds the value of the property, it need not be offered for sale. Any sale held under this section must be preceded by a single publication of notice, at least three (3) weeks in advance of sale in a legal newspaper of general circulation in the county where the property is to be sold, the county of residence of the holder and the county of the last-known address of the owner.

B. Securities listed on an established stock exchange must be sold at prices prevailing at the time of sale on the exchange. Other securities may be sold over the counter at prices prevailing at the time of sale or by another method the State Treasurer considers advisable.

C. Unless the State Treasurer considers it to be in the best interest of the state to do otherwise, all securities, other than those presumed abandoned under Section 655 of this title, delivered to the State Treasurer must be held for at least one (1) year before the State Treasurer may sell them.

D. Unless the State Treasurer considers it to be in the best interest of the state to do otherwise, all securities presumed abandoned under Section 655 of this title and delivered to the State Treasurer must be held for at least two (2) years before the State Treasurer may sell them. If the State Treasurer sells any securities delivered pursuant to Section 655 of this title before the expiration of the two-year period, any person making a claim pursuant to the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act is entitled to either the proceeds of the sale of the securities or other market value of the securities at the time the claim is made, whichever amount is greater, less any deduction for fees pursuant to Section 668 of this title. A person making a claim under the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act after the expiration of this period is entitled to receive either the securities delivered to the State Treasurer by the holder, if they still remain in the hands of the State Treasurer, or the proceeds received from sale, less any amounts deducted pursuant to Section 668 of this title, but no person has any claim under this section against the state, the holder, any transfer agent, registrar, or other person acting for or on behalf of a holder for any appreciation in the value of the property occurring after delivery by the holder to the State Treasurer.

E. The purchaser at any sale conducted by the State Treasurer pursuant to the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act takes the property, free of all claims of the owner or prior holder thereof and of all persons claiming through or under them. The State Treasurer shall execute all documents necessary to complete the transfer of ownership.

Title 60, Chap. 13, §667

Unclaimed Property Fund – Deposits

A. There is hereby created in the State Treasury a revolving fund for the State Treasurer to be designated the “Unclaimed Property Clearinghouse Fund”. The fund shall be a continuing fund, not subject to fiscal year limitations, and shall consist of monies deposited to the fund pursuant to Section 668 of this title. All monies accruing to the credit of the fund are appropriated to the State Treasurer. The State Treasurer may budget and expend monies from the fund for the purpose of making payment to persons, firms, or corporations who are regularly engaged in the business of notifying states about property which may be subject to the provisions of unclaimed property statutes of those states. The State Treasurer may enter into contracts with these persons, firms or corporations performing these services, which services may include the examination of any party subject to examination under the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act. The State Treasurer may delegate all necessary authority to act in the State Treasurer’s behalf to such persons, firms or corporations to enforce the provisions of the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act.

B. The State Treasurer shall be authorized to expend monies from the Unclaimed Property Clearinghouse Fund in payment of a reasonable fee not to exceed fifteen percent (15%) of the delivered funds to a person, firm, or corporation contracting with the State Treasurer providing information leading to the delivery of unclaimed property held by an out-of-state holder to the State Treasurer. Such payment shall not be made until the funds have been deposited with the State Treasurer.

Title 60, Chap. 13, §668

Creation of Unclaimed Property Clearinghouse Fund – Authority to Expend Monies.

A. There is hereby created in the State Treasury a revolving fund for the State Treasurer to be designated the “Unclaimed Property Clearinghouse Fund”. The fund shall be a continuing fund, not subject to fiscal year limitations, and shall consist of monies deposited to the fund pursuant to Section 668 of this title. All monies accruing to the credit of the fund are appropriated to the State Treasurer. The State Treasurer may budget and expend monies from the fund for the purpose of making payment to persons, firms, or corporations who are regularly engaged in the business of notifying states about property which may be subject to the provisions of unclaimed property statutes of those states.

B. The State Treasurer shall be authorized to expend monies from the Unclaimed Property Clearinghouse Fund in payment of a reasonable fee not to exceed fifteen percent (15%) of the delivered funds to a person, firm, or corporation contracting with the State Treasurer providing information leading to the delivery of unclaimed property held by an out-of-state holder to the State Treasurer. Such payment shall not be made until the funds have been deposited with the Commission.

Title 60, Chap. 13, §668.1

Authority and Responsibility for Control and Management of Unclaimed Property Fund.
The State Treasurer is hereby vested with authority and the responsibility for the control and management of all monies in the Unclaimed Property Fund as provided for in the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act. It shall be the duty of the State Treasurer to take such steps as may be necessary to preserve the principal of monies accruing to the Unclaimed Property Fund as a trust for persons claiming any interest in any property delivered to the state pursuant to the provisions of the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act.

Title 60, Chap. 13, §669

Unclaimed Property – Determination of Amount – Payment of Amounts in Excess.
The State Treasurer shall determine, from time to time, what amount of unclaimed property in custody should be retained as a reserve in order to ensure that all claims presented by persons legally establishing a right to any unclaimed property shall be paid promptly. In making such determination, the State Treasurer shall take into account the following:

1. The actual experience of other states having unclaimed property laws, as to the amount of claims presented and established as compared no the total amount of property taken into state custody;

2. Such actuarial or other experience or statistics as may be available to show the frequency of the discovery of missing persons or their unknown heirs;

3. Any other discoverable and relevant data having a tendency to establish the amount of reserve necessary for the purpose stated in this section.

The State Treasurer, after having found and determined the reserve necessary as stated in this section, shall pay all amounts in custody in excess of the necessary reserve into the State Treasury to the credit of the General Revenue Fund.


Inside Oklahoma Disposition of Unclaimed Property Law