{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/55.1-2504.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/55.1-2504.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/55.1-2504.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/55.1-2504.html"}],"law_id":73776,"edition_id":1,"section_id":73776,"structure_id":13771,"section_number":"55.1-2504","catch_line":"Traveler’s checks and money orders","history":"1984, c. 121, \u00a7 55-210.3:02; 2019, c. 712.","full_text":"A\n\nExcept as otherwise provided in this section, any sum payable on a traveler’s check that has been outstanding for more than 15 years after its issuance is presumed abandoned unless the owner, within 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.\n\t\t\tExcept as otherwise provided in 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 years after its issuance is presumed abandoned unless the owner, within seven 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.B\n\nNo holder may deduct from the amount of any traveler’s check or money order any charges imposed by reason of the failure to present those instruments for payment unless (i) there is a valid and enforceable written contract between the issuer and the owner of the property pursuant to which the issuer may impose those charges and (ii) the issuer regularly imposes those charges and does not regularly reverse or otherwise cancel those charges with respect to such property.C\n\nAny sum payable on a traveler’s check, money order, or similar written instrument, other than a third-party bank check, described in this section shall not be subjected to the custody of the Commonwealth as unclaimed property unless:1\n\nThe records of the issuer show that the traveler’s check, money order, or similar written instrument was purchased in the Commonwealth;2\n\nThe issuer has its principal place of business in the Commonwealth, and the records of the issuer do not show the state in which the traveler’s check, money order, or similar written instrument was purchased; or3\n\nThe issuer has its principal place of business in the Commonwealth, the records of the issuer show the state in which the traveler’s check, money order, or similar written instrument was purchased, and the laws of the state of purchase 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.D\n\nNotwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the provisions of subsection C relating to the requirements for subjecting certain written instruments to the custody of the Commonwealth apply to sums payable on traveler’s 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.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":265298,"text":"Except as otherwise provided in this section, any sum payable on a traveler’s check that has been outstanding for more than 15 years after its issuance is presumed abandoned unless the owner, within 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.\n\t\t\tExcept as otherwise provided in 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 years after its issuance is presumed abandoned unless the owner, within seven 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.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":265299,"text":"No holder may deduct from the amount of any traveler’s check or money order any charges imposed by reason of the failure to present those instruments for payment unless (i) there is a valid and enforceable written contract between the issuer and the owner of the property pursuant to which the issuer may impose those charges and (ii) the issuer regularly imposes those charges and does not regularly reverse or otherwise cancel those charges with respect to such property.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":265300,"text":"Any sum payable on a traveler’s check, money order, or similar written instrument, other than a third-party bank check, described in this section shall not be subjected to the custody of the Commonwealth as unclaimed property unless:","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"C1"},"3":{"id":265301,"text":"The records of the issuer show that the traveler’s check, money order, or similar written instrument was purchased in the Commonwealth;","type":"section","prefixes":["C","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"C1","prefix_anchor":"C1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"C2"},"4":{"id":265302,"text":"The issuer has its principal place of business in the Commonwealth, and the records of the issuer do not show the state in which the traveler’s check, money order, or similar written instrument was purchased; or","type":"section","prefixes":["C","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"C2","prefix_anchor":"C2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C1","next_prefix":"C3"},"5":{"id":265303,"text":"The issuer has its principal place of business in the Commonwealth, the records of the issuer show the state in which the traveler’s check, money order, or similar written instrument was purchased, and the laws of the state of purchase 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.","type":"section","prefixes":["C","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"C3","prefix_anchor":"C3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C2","next_prefix":"D"},"6":{"id":265304,"text":"Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the provisions of subsection C relating to the requirements for subjecting certain written instruments to the custody of the Commonwealth apply to sums payable on traveler’s 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.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C3"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13771,"edition_id":1,"name":"Definitions; Property Abandoned or Assumed Abandoned","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12709,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:50","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:50","permalink":{"id":247945,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13771,"identifier":"1","token":"55.1\/V\/25\/1","url":"\/55.1\/V\/25\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12709,"edition_id":1,"name":"Virginia Disposition Of Unclaimed Property Act","identifier":"25","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12708,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":247943,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12709,"identifier":"25","token":"55.1\/V\/25","url":"\/55.1\/V\/25\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12708,"edition_id":1,"name":"Miscellaneous","identifier":"V","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12707,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":247771,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12708,"identifier":"V","token":"55.1\/V","url":"\/55.1\/V\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12707,"edition_id":1,"name":"Property and Conveyances","identifier":"55.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":244769,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12707,"identifier":"55.1","token":"55.1","url":"\/55.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":58539,"structure_id":13771,"section_number":"55.1-2500","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/55.1-2500\/","token":"55.1\/V\/25\/1\/55.1-2500","metadata":false},{"id":73294,"structure_id":13771,"section_number":"55.1-2501","catch_line":"Property presumed abandoned; general rule","url":"\/55.1-2501\/","token":"55.1\/V\/25\/1\/55.1-2501","metadata":false},{"id":65666,"structure_id":13771,"section_number":"55.1-2502","catch_line":"Taking custody of intangible unclaimed property; general rules","url":"\/55.1-2502\/","token":"55.1\/V\/25\/1\/55.1-2502","metadata":false},{"id":77387,"structure_id":13771,"section_number":"55.1-2503","catch_line":"Bank deposits and funds in financial organizations","url":"\/55.1-2503\/","token":"55.1\/V\/25\/1\/55.1-2503","metadata":false},{"id":73776,"structure_id":13771,"section_number":"55.1-2504","catch_line":"Traveler's checks and money orders","url":"\/55.1-2504\/","token":"55.1\/V\/25\/1\/55.1-2504","metadata":false},{"id":72388,"structure_id":13771,"section_number":"55.1-2505","catch_line":"Checks, drafts, and similar instruments issued or certified by banking and financial organizations","url":"\/55.1-2505\/","token":"55.1\/V\/25\/1\/55.1-2505","metadata":false},{"id":64112,"structure_id":13771,"section_number":"55.1-2506","catch_line":"Contents of safe deposit box or other safekeeping repository","url":"\/55.1-2506\/","token":"55.1\/V\/25\/1\/55.1-2506","metadata":false},{"id":78230,"structure_id":13771,"section_number":"55.1-2507","catch_line":"Funds owing under life insurance policies","url":"\/55.1-2507\/","token":"55.1\/V\/25\/1\/55.1-2507","metadata":false},{"id":62766,"structure_id":13771,"section_number":"55.1-2508","catch_line":"Intangible personal property held by insurance corporation subject to \u00a7 55.1-2501","url":"\/55.1-2508\/","token":"55.1\/V\/25\/1\/55.1-2508","metadata":false},{"id":85940,"structure_id":13771,"section_number":"55.1-2509","catch_line":"Unclaimed demutualization proceeds","url":"\/55.1-2509\/","token":"55.1\/V\/25\/1\/55.1-2509","metadata":false},{"id":84156,"structure_id":13771,"section_number":"55.1-2510","catch_line":"Deposits held by utilities","url":"\/55.1-2510\/","token":"55.1\/V\/25\/1\/55.1-2510","metadata":false},{"id":65661,"structure_id":13771,"section_number":"55.1-2511","catch_line":"Intangible interest in business association","url":"\/55.1-2511\/","token":"55.1\/V\/25\/1\/55.1-2511","metadata":false},{"id":59201,"structure_id":13771,"section_number":"55.1-2512","catch_line":"Refunds held by business associations","url":"\/55.1-2512\/","token":"55.1\/V\/25\/1\/55.1-2512","metadata":false},{"id":56945,"structure_id":13771,"section_number":"55.1-2513","catch_line":"Property of business associations held in course of dissolution","url":"\/55.1-2513\/","token":"55.1\/V\/25\/1\/55.1-2513","metadata":false},{"id":83377,"structure_id":13771,"section_number":"55.1-2514","catch_line":"Intangible personal property held in fiduciary capacity","url":"\/55.1-2514\/","token":"55.1\/V\/25\/1\/55.1-2514","metadata":false},{"id":75833,"structure_id":13771,"section_number":"55.1-2515","catch_line":"Gift certificates and credit balances","url":"\/55.1-2515\/","token":"55.1\/V\/25\/1\/55.1-2515","metadata":false},{"id":71400,"structure_id":13771,"section_number":"55.1-2516","catch_line":"Wages","url":"\/55.1-2516\/","token":"55.1\/V\/25\/1\/55.1-2516","metadata":false},{"id":72310,"structure_id":13771,"section_number":"55.1-2517","catch_line":"Intangible property held for owner by public agency","url":"\/55.1-2517\/","token":"55.1\/V\/25\/1\/55.1-2517","metadata":false},{"id":54779,"structure_id":13771,"section_number":"55.1-2518","catch_line":"Property held by courts","url":"\/55.1-2518\/","token":"55.1\/V\/25\/1\/55.1-2518","metadata":false},{"id":68278,"structure_id":13771,"section_number":"55.1-2519","catch_line":"Responsibilities of general receiver and clerk","url":"\/55.1-2519\/","token":"55.1\/V\/25\/1\/55.1-2519","metadata":false},{"id":55072,"structure_id":13771,"section_number":"55.1-2520","catch_line":"Employee benefit trust distribution","url":"\/55.1-2520\/","token":"55.1\/V\/25\/1\/55.1-2520","metadata":false},{"id":75309,"structure_id":13771,"section_number":"55.1-2521","catch_line":"Holder of tangible or intangible personal property may voluntarily report such property","url":"\/55.1-2521\/","token":"55.1\/V\/25\/1\/55.1-2521","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":77387,"structure_id":13771,"section_number":"55.1-2503","catch_line":"Bank deposits and funds in financial organizations","url":"\/55.1-2503\/","token":"55.1\/V\/25\/1\/55.1-2503","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":72388,"structure_id":13771,"section_number":"55.1-2505","catch_line":"Checks, drafts, and similar instruments issued or certified by banking and financial organizations","url":"\/55.1-2505\/","token":"55.1\/V\/25\/1\/55.1-2505","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/55.1-2504\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1984. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 121 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1984 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 1 time. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. That modification is as follows: in 2019, chapter 712<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":72388,"section_number":"55.1-2505","catch_line":"Checks, drafts, and similar instruments issued or certified by banking and financial organizations","order_by":null,"url":"\/55.1-2505\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":247963,"object_type":"law","relational_id":73776,"identifier":"55.1-2504","token":"55.1\/V\/25\/1\/55.1-2504","url":"\/55.1-2504\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/55.1-2504\/","token":"55.1\/V\/25\/1\/55.1-2504","dublin_core":{"Title":"Traveler’s checks and money orders","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 55.1-2504","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Except as otherwise provided in this section, any sum payable<\/span> on a traveler’s check that has been outstanding for more than 15 years after its issuance is presumed abandoned unless the owner<\/span>, within 15 years, has communicated in writing with the issuer concerning it or otherwise indicated an interest as evidenced by a memorandum<\/span> or other record on file prepared by an employee of the issuer.\n\t\t\tExcept as otherwise provided in this section, any sum payable<\/span> on a money order<\/span> or similar written instrument, other than a third-party<\/span> bank check, that has been outstanding for more than seven years after its issuance is presumed abandoned unless the owner<\/span>, within seven years, has communicated in writing with the issuer concerning it or otherwise indicated an interest as evidenced by a memorandum<\/span> or other record on file prepared by an employee of the issuer. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> No holder<\/span> may deduct from the amount of any traveler’s check or money order<\/span> any charges imposed by reason of the failure to present those instruments for payment unless (i) there is a valid and enforceable written contract<\/span> between the issuer and the owner<\/span> of the property pursuant to which the issuer may impose those charges and (ii) the issuer regularly imposes those charges and does not regularly reverse<\/span> or otherwise cancel those charges with respect to such property. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Any sum payable<\/span> on a traveler’s check, money order<\/span>, or similar written instrument, other than a third-party<\/span> bank check, described in this section shall not be subjected to the custody<\/span> of the Commonwealth as unclaimed property<\/span> unless: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> The records of the issuer show that the traveler’s check, money order<\/span>, or similar written instrument was purchased in the Commonwealth; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> The issuer has its principal place of business in the Commonwealth, and the records of the issuer do not show the state in which the traveler’s check, money order<\/span>, or similar written instrument was purchased; or <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> The issuer has its principal place of business in the Commonwealth, the records of the issuer show the state in which the traveler’s check, money order<\/span>, or similar written instrument was purchased, and the laws<\/span> of the state of purchase do not provide for the escheat or custodial taking of the property, or its escheat or unclaimed property<\/span> law<\/span> is not applicable to the property. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the provisions of subsection C relating to the requirements for subjecting certain written instruments to the custody<\/span> of the Commonwealth apply to sums payable<\/span> on traveler’s checks, money orders<\/span>, 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. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nTRAVELER’S CHECKS AND MONEY ORDERS (\u00a7 55.1-2504)\n\nA. Except as otherwise provided in this section, any sum payable on a\ntraveler’s check that has been outstanding for more than 15 years after\nits issuance is presumed abandoned unless the owner, within 15 years, has\ncommunicated in writing with the issuer concerning it or otherwise indicated an\ninterest as evidenced by a memorandum or other record on file prepared by an\nemployee of the issuer.\n\t\t\tExcept as otherwise provided in this section, any sum payable on a money\norder or similar written instrument, other than a third-party bank check, that\nhas been outstanding for more than seven years after its issuance is presumed\nabandoned unless the owner, within seven years, has communicated in writing with\nthe issuer concerning it or otherwise indicated an interest as evidenced by a\nmemorandum or other record on file prepared by an employee of the issuer.\n\nB. No holder may deduct from the amount of any traveler’s check or money\norder any charges imposed by reason of the failure to present those instruments\nfor payment unless (i) there is a valid and enforceable written contract between\nthe issuer and the owner of the property pursuant to which the issuer may impose\nthose charges and (ii) the issuer regularly imposes those charges and does not\nregularly reverse or otherwise cancel those charges with respect to such\nproperty.\n\nC. Any sum payable on a traveler’s check, money order, or similar written\ninstrument, other than a third-party bank check, described in this section shall\nnot be subjected to the custody of the Commonwealth as unclaimed property\nunless:\n\n 1. The records of the issuer show that the traveler’s check, money\n order, or similar written instrument was purchased in the Commonwealth;\n\n 2. The issuer has its principal place of business in the Commonwealth, and the\n records of the issuer do not show the state in which the traveler’s\n check, money order, or similar written instrument was purchased; or\n\n 3. The issuer has its principal place of business in the Commonwealth, the\n records of the issuer show the state in which the traveler’s check,\n money order, or similar written instrument was purchased, and the laws of the\n state of purchase do not provide for the escheat or custodial taking of the\n property, or its escheat or unclaimed property law is not applicable to the\n property.\n\nD. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the provisions of\nsubsection C relating to the requirements for subjecting certain written\ninstruments to the custody of the Commonwealth apply to sums payable on\ntraveler’s checks, money orders, and similar written instruments presumed\nabandoned on or after February 1, 1965, except to the extent that those sums\nhave been paid over to a state prior to January 1, 1974.\n\nHISTORY: 1984, c. 121, \u00a7 55-210.3:02; 2019, c. 712.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}