How to Claim California Lottery Winnings

In California, prizes of $599 or under can be claimed at a Lottery retailer, a Lottery District Office or by mail, while prizes of $600 and over must be claimed with a claim form at a District Office or by mail. Error-free claims currently take 4 to 6 weeks to process, and most draw game tickets must be postmarked or received within 180 days of the winning draw date.

• Your original winning ticket, signed on the back
• A completed claim form: CSL1242 for individual claimants
• IRS Form 5754 if a single player is claiming a group prize of $600 to $999,999
• CSL 0896 for a group representative and CSL 0897 for each remaining member on group wins of $1 million or more
• A Payment Election form, witnessed by a Lottery representative or notary, if the prize is an annuity
• Current identification such as a State ID card, driver licence or passport for in-person service
• A valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID for same-day check processing
• Certified mail if you are posting your claim

1. Sign the back of your winning ticket and print your legal name and address on it. The signature on the ticket has to match the one on your claim form.
2. Photograph the front and back of the ticket and store the photos somewhere other than your phone.
3. Put the original ticket in a bank safe deposit box. Players are solely responsible for securing tickets against theft, loss, damage or destruction.
4. Download the Claim Form (PDF) from calottery.com, or pick one up at any Lottery retail location or District Office.
5. Complete the correct form for your situation: Claim Form CSL1242 for an individual claimant; CSL1242 plus IRS Form 5754 if a single player is claiming a group prize of $600 to $999,999; CSL 0896 for a group representative and CSL 0897 for each remaining member on group wins of $1 million or more.
6. If the prize is an annuity, complete a Payment Election form and have it witnessed by a Lottery representative or notary.
7. Sign the claim form. The form asks for your legal name, date of birth, Social Security or taxpayer identification number, contact information, the ticket number and the prize amount, and you sign under penalty of perjury that you are the rightful owner of the ticket and at least 18.
8. Keep a copy or picture of the claim form and the front and back of your winning ticket for your records.
9. Submit your claim at a Lottery District Office, which is open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to accept claim forms. No appointments are required and assistance is on a first-come first-serve basis.
10. Or post the original ticket and the signed claim form, along with the Claim Authorization Receipt from a retailer if you have it, to: California Lottery, 730 North 10th Street, Sacramento, CA 95811. Send everything by certified mail and save a copy of every item you submit.
11. If you want same-day check processing on a prize of $600 to $1,000, go to a District Office by 4:30 p.m. with a valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID. Same-day check is not guaranteed and all claims must be error-free.
12. If you are claiming a jackpot, expect a security review and interview before payment.

• Your draw game ticket must be postmarked or received by Lottery offices within 180 days of the winning draw date. For Mega Millions and Powerball jackpots, the ticket must be postmarked or received within one year from the winning draw date. Scratchers tickets must be postmarked or received within 180 days of the announced end of game date.
• Miss the deadline and the prize is gone. Unclaimed money goes back into Lottery revenue, and nobody will call to remind you.
• A second clock starts at the claim: 60 days to choose cash or annuity on a jackpot.
• Prizes of $1,000 or less are eligible for same-day payment at District Offices from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with a valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID. Some claims, including but not limited to 2nd Chance prizes, promotional awards and prizes won on advance plays, may not qualify for same-day payment and will require additional processing at Lottery Headquarters.
• Federal withholding is 24% when winnings minus the wager exceed $5,000. It is 30% for a claimant who is neither a citizen nor a resident alien. California withholds nothing because it does not tax California Lottery prizes, including Powerball and Mega Millions sold in the state.
• A ticket bought in another state is taxable to a California resident, according to the Franchise Tax Board.
• California public disclosure law requires the Lottery to publicise a winner's full name, the name and location of the business that sold the winning ticket, and the total winnings. A trust cannot claim for you.
• State law prohibits the sale of a Lottery ticket or the payment of a prize to anyone under 18. Tickets failing validation are void.
• Common claim errors that delay processing include forgetting to sign the claim form, leaving out a birth date, writing illegibly, giving an incomplete address such as a missing apartment number, and failing to sign the back of the winning ticket and include it with the form.
• Beware of individuals impersonating the California Lottery, and watch out for fraudulent calls, texts, emails and requests for fees.
• The Lottery is not responsible for mail, tickets or claim forms that are late, lost, damaged, misdirected, misaddressed, incomplete or illegible.
• All California State Lottery game tickets, transactions, claims and prize payments are subject to California State law and the California State Lottery rules and regulations.

How long do I have to claim a California Lottery prize? Most draw games allow 180 days from the winning draw date, while Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots allow one year from the winning draw date. Scratchers tickets allow 180 days from the announced end of game date.

Can I claim a prize of $599 or under at a retailer? Yes. Take your winning ticket to a Lottery retailer and the clerk will hand you cash on the spot. You can also claim at a Lottery District Office or by mail.

Can I get my money the same day? Same-day check processing is available for claim prizes of $600 to $1,000 at each District Office until 4:30 p.m. with a valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID. It is not guaranteed and all claims must be error-free.

Can I stay anonymous if I win a California jackpot? No. California public disclosure law requires the Lottery to publicise your full name, the name and location of the business that sold the winning ticket, and the total winnings.

How long does a claim take to process? The current processing time for error-free claims is 4 to 6 weeks. You can check the status of your claim by using the Contact Us page or emailing customerservice@calottery.com.