Auctions

Safe deposit box contents and safe keeping items are turned over to the state of Washington five years after the owner stops paying rent. If the owner does not come claim the items, the Department of Revenue must sell the contents at public auction within five years of receiving it. The Department holds an auction every four years. Proceeds are placed in an account for the owner.

The next auction is planned for Fall 2008. As soon as the sale catalogues and venue details become available, we will notify email subscribers to our Safe Deposit Box Auction Notification service. To sign up, click here.

Sale items will include collectable coins & currency, jewelry, pocket watches, stamps, gold and silver bars, and other collectables. We do not auction land, vehicles, or most other tangible property.

If you are interested in other Washington State auctions, visit the General Administration's Surplus Property web site.