Safe deposit box contents are turned over to the State of Washington five years after the owner stops paying rent. It the owner does not claim the items, the State must sell the contents at public auction within five years. We will notify our ListServ subscribers when our next auction date has been confirmed. To sign up, go to our Listserv sign-up page.
Our last auction was held in May 2011. At that time, we sold more than 3,000 lots and brought in a record $915,000. The owners or heirs may come forward at any time to claim the proceeds held by the department.
Sale items usually include collectible coins, currency, jewelry, watches, stamps, silver bars, sports cards and other collectibles. We do not auction land, vehicles or other tangible property.
If you are interested in other Washington State auctions, visit the General Administration’s Surplus Property web site at www.ga.wa.gov.