§ 1605.Certification By Governor that United States Will Be Compensated For Cost of Examining Records
Title 10. Unclaimed Property · Chapter 8. Property in Custody of Federal Officers, Agencies, and Departments · Enacted 1801 · no amendments on record · Last verified July 29, 2026
In one sentenceSection 1605 requires the Governor to certify to the federal government that California law provides an effective way to compensate the United States for its examination costs and to hold it harmless on delivered property, with that certification due every June 30 following a federal statute that requires it.
Full Text of § 1605
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The Governor shall certify to the Comptroller General or other proper officer of the United States that the law of this State provides effective means whereby the United States shall be compensated at reasonable times for this State's proportionate share of the actual and necessary cost of examining records and for reporting information and whereby the United States shall be held harmless in the event of claim for property delivered to this State in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
Such certification shall be made on the thirtieth day of June next following the effective date of any federal statute requiring such certification.
Plain-English Summary
Federal law conditions the transfer of unclaimed property to a state on that state having adequate legal machinery in place, and this section is how California proves it qualifies. The Governor must certify to the Comptroller General or another appropriate federal officer that California law provides effective means for compensating the United States, at reasonable times, for its proportionate share of the actual and necessary cost of examining records and reporting information, and for holding the United States harmless if a claim comes in over property already delivered to California.
The section also fixes the timing: that certification must be made on June 30 of the year following whenever a federal statute takes effect requiring it, keeping California's compliance current with whatever the federal government's own rules demand.
Frequently Asked Questions
What must the Governor certify to the federal government?
That California law provides effective means to compensate the United States for its examination and reporting costs and to hold it harmless for delivered property.
When must this certification be made?
On the thirtieth day of June following the effective date of any federal statute requiring the certification.
Why does California need to make this certification at all?
Because federal law only allows the transfer of unclaimed property to a state that has this kind of compensation and hold-harmless arrangement in place.
Amendment History
Added by Stats. 1959, Ch. 1801.
Source & verification. Section text is reproduced verbatim from
the Deering's California Codes Annotated / vLex. Enacted by the California Legislature.
Last verified July 29, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as:governor certification unclaimed federal propertycalifornia law compensate united states escheat