How to Claim California (CA)
Lottery Prizes
Claim a California Lottery prize under $600 at any retailer or a district office and $600 or more at a district office, within 180 days of the drawing. Mega Millions and Powerball jackpots have one year. Any prize can be claimed by mail.
Where to Claim Your California Lottery Prize
Won? Most prizes have 180 days to be cashed.
Where to Cash a Winning Ticket
Where you can cash a California Lottery prize depends on how much it is.
- Under $600Signed ticket at a store
- Any lottery retailer
- Any district office
- By mail
- $600+Claim form and ID
- Any district office
- By mail
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Play scratch-offs too?Up to x25.8 better jackpot odds
For $50K to $5M+ jackpots on the best California scratch-offs. ScratchOdds ranks all 58 by today's odds.
For $50K to $5M+ jackpots on the best California scratch-offs.
Get the Free AppSee the Best Ones
Good to Know
Claim deadline
180 days after the drawing
Mega Millions and Powerball jackpots have one year. Take a jackpot's cash option within 60 days of claiming the prize.
When you're paid
Error-free claims are paid by check in about 4 to 6 weeks.
Claim by mail
Any prize
California State Lottery, 730 North 10th Street, Sacramento, CA 95811-0336
Can you stay anonymous?
No, winners are public
California Lottery Claim Forms
From $600, bring your signed ticket, ID and a completed claim form.
- Claim Form (CSL 1242)
- Multiple Ownership Claim (CSL 0896), for the group representative
- Multiple Ownership Claim Attachment (CSL 0897), for each other group member
- SuperLotto Plus Jackpot Payment Election (CSL 1192)
- Mega Millions Jackpot Payment Election (CSL 1280)
- Powerball Jackpot Payment Election (CSL 1329)
Full checklist (6 items)
- The original winning ticket, signed, with your legal name and address printed on the back
- A completed and signed Claim Form (CSL 1242), with the ticket stapled to its front
- Current ID, such as a state ID card, driver's license or passport. Same-day payment at a district office needs a valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID
- The Claim Authorization Receipt, if the retailer gave you one when it checked your ticket
- For a group prize under $1 million, IRS Form 5754 listing everyone who shares it. For $1 million or more, the Multiple Ownership Claim forms instead
- For a jackpot, a Jackpot Payment Election form, witnessed by a Lottery representative or a notary
California Lottery District Offices
Bring your ticket, claim form and ID.
Milpitas District Office
900 Hanson Court, Milpitas, CA 95035Walk-ins welcomeHours: Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM–5:00 PMPhone: 408-214-4204Richmond District Office
618 South 8th Street, Suite 300A, Richmond, CA 94804Walk-ins welcomeHours: Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM–5:00 PMPhone: 510-806-8960Fresno District Office
7620 North Del Mar Avenue, Fresno, CA 93711Walk-ins welcomeHours: Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM–5:00 PMPhone: 559-449-2430Chatsworth District Office
9710 Topanga Canyon Boulevard, Chatsworth, CA 91311Walk-ins welcomeHours: Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM–5:00 PMPhone: 818-722-1602Rancho Cucamonga District Office
11138 Elm Avenue, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730Walk-ins welcomeHours: Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM–5:00 PMPhone: 909-803-6232Santa Fe Springs District Office
9807 Bell Ranch Drive, Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670Walk-ins welcomeHours: Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM–5:00 PMPhone: 562-777-3434Costa Mesa District Office
235 Baker Street East, Costa Mesa, CA 92626Walk-ins welcomeHours: Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM–5:00 PMPhone: 714-716-4076San Diego District Office
5656 Ruffin Road, San Diego, CA 92123Walk-ins welcomeHours: Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM–5:00 PMPhone: 858-492-1700
More Claim Rules
- Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots
- A Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot can be claimed up to one year after the drawing. Every other draw game prize must be claimed within 180 days.
- Advance Play tickets
- You can claim a prize before an Advance Play ticket's last drawing. A retailer gives you an Exchange Ticket for the drawings left, which you need to claim any later prizes. If you claim with the Lottery, it keeps the Exchange Ticket and checks it for later prizes. Prizes won on Advance Play tickets aren't paid the same day at district offices.
- Group winners
- A group of up to 100 people sharing a prize of $1 million or more can each be paid separately, using the Multiple Ownership Claim forms. A group prize under $1 million is paid to one group representative, who files IRS Form 5754 with the claim.
- Debts owed
- A prize can be reduced to pay debts the winner owes, such as to government agencies or judgment creditors. The State Controller's Office takes these offsets out before the prize is paid.
- Tickets bought online
- California Lottery tickets are sold only at California retailers and Lottery vending machines. App-based and online resellers aren't allowed, and a ticket bought through one can't win.
Reviewed by Bishop Woosley, former Director of the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery and NASPL President.
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Every California scratch-off ranked by today's odds- The best tickets for your budget and the prize you want
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More California Lottery Help
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California Scratchers
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers about the California Lottery
Where can I claim lottery winnings in California?
Under $600: Any lottery retailer, any district office or by mail. $600 or more: Any district office or by mail.
Where can I cash a $1,000 lottery ticket in California?
Not at a store: California Lottery retailers pay prizes up to $599. $600 or more: Any district office or by mail.
Where are the California Lottery district offices?
Milpitas District Office, 900 Hanson Court, Milpitas; Richmond District Office, 618 South 8th Street, Suite 300A, Richmond; Fresno District Office, 7620 North Del Mar Avenue, Fresno; Chatsworth District Office, 9710 Topanga Canyon Boulevard, Chatsworth; Rancho Cucamonga District Office, 11138 Elm Avenue, Rancho Cucamonga; Santa Fe Springs District Office, 9807 Bell Ranch Drive, Santa Fe Springs; Costa Mesa District Office, 235 Baker Street East, Costa Mesa; San Diego District Office, 5656 Ruffin Road, San Diego.
What time can you cash lottery tickets in California?
Any California Lottery retailer cashes prizes up to $599 whenever it's open. The California Lottery district offices are open Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM.
What should I do if I win the California Lottery?
Sign your ticket and keep it safe, then claim it within 180 days of the drawing. Mega Millions and Powerball jackpots have one year. Under $600: Any lottery retailer, any district office or by mail. $600 or more: Any district office or by mail. From $600, bring your signed ticket, ID and a completed claim form.
How long do you have to claim a California Lottery prize?
180 days after the drawing. Mega Millions and Powerball jackpots have one year. A jackpot's cash option must be chosen within 60 days of claiming the prize.
Do California Lottery tickets expire?
Yes. A winning ticket must be claimed within 180 days of the drawing, or the prize can no longer be paid. Mega Millions and Powerball jackpots have one year.
What do I need to claim a California Lottery prize?
At a store, a prize up to $599 needs just the signed ticket. From $600: The original winning ticket, signed, with your legal name and address printed on the back; A completed and signed Claim Form (CSL 1242), with the ticket stapled to its front; Current ID, such as a state ID card, driver's license or passport. Same-day payment at a district office needs a valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID; The Claim Authorization Receipt, if the retailer gave you one when it checked your ticket; For a group prize under $1 million, IRS Form 5754 listing everyone who shares it. For $1 million or more, the Multiple Ownership Claim forms instead; For a jackpot, a Jackpot Payment Election form, witnessed by a Lottery representative or a notary.
Do I need an appointment at a California Lottery district office?
No. District Offices take walk-ins during office hours.
Can I claim a California Lottery prize by mail?
Yes, any prize. Mail the signed ticket, with any copies the California Lottery asks for, to California State Lottery, 730 North 10th Street, Sacramento, CA 95811-0336. Prizes from $600 also need a completed claim form.
How long does it take to get California Lottery winnings?
Error-free claims are paid by check in about 4 to 6 weeks. At a district office, a prize of $1,000 or less can often be paid by check the same day, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but that isn't guaranteed, and prizes won on Advance Play tickets don't qualify.
Can you claim lottery winnings anonymously in California?
No. California Lottery winners are public record.
Can I claim a California Lottery prize online?
No. Claim in person or by mail.
What is the California Lottery phone number?
800-568-8379 for customer service. Sacramento District Office: 916-830-0292.
Where can I claim a California Lottery prize in person?
The Sacramento District Office is at 4106 East Commerce Way, Sacramento, CA 95834, open Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM. Call 916-830-0292.
Are lottery winnings taxed in California?
California doesn't tax lottery winnings, but federal income tax applies. 24% federal tax is withheld from prizes over $5,000.
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