The California Scratchers form is a document used to claim prizes from Scratchers lottery tickets. It requires the claimant to provide personal information, ticket details, and a signature to validate the claim. To begin the process, please fill out the form by clicking the button below.
The California Scratchers form is a crucial document for individuals claiming prizes from the California Lottery. It serves multiple purposes, including verifying the identity of the claimant and ensuring compliance with tax regulations. To initiate a claim for prizes of $599 or less, winners can cash their tickets at participating Lottery retailers. For larger prizes, the form must be completed and submitted to the Lottery Headquarters. Claimants are required to provide personal information, such as their name, address, date of birth, and Social Security Number or Tax Identification Number. Additionally, it is essential to attach the original ticket to the form, along with a signature that matches the one on the ticket. The form also includes instructions for submitting claims, either in person at a Lottery District Office or by mail. It is important to note that federal taxes may be withheld from winnings, and the Lottery's privacy policy outlines how personal information will be used and protected. Understanding the details of the California Scratchers form can help ensure a smooth and efficient claims process for lottery winners.
Cash all prizes of $599 or less at participating Lottery Retailers
CLAIMANT INFORMATION PLEASE READ ALL INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE COMPLETING CLAIM FORM
LAST NAME
FIRST NAME
ADDRESS 1
ADDRESS 2
CITY
COUNTRY
DATE OF BIRTH
-
MONTH
DAY
YEAR
MI
SUFFIX
SSN/TIN
STATE
ZIP CODE
E-MAIL
PHONE
AREA CODE
I am a Lottery Retailer
I am employed by a Lottery Retailer I am related to a Lottery Retailer
Check one (for tax purposes only):
I do not have a Social Security Number
I am not a U.S. Citizen, and I am not a Resident Alien
TICKET INFORMATION
Attach the original ticket to this form with your legal name, signature and address showing. Enter the
information below (Scratchers 13-18 digit ticket number is located on back of ticket; Draw Game 18 digit ticket number is located on front of ticket). Attach another claim form for more than one ticket.
Ticket Number:
Prize Claim: $
I declare, under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California, including but not limited to California Penal Code §§ 118 and 72, that I am the rightful owner of the ticket on this form, that I am 18 years of age or older, and that all information provided is true and correct. I understand that any person who, with intent to defraud, falsely makes, alters, forges or counterfeits a Lottery ticket is in violation of state law and could be liable for criminal penalties.
Claimant Signature
Date
(Only one signature, and it must match signature on ticket)
FOR DISTRICT OFFICE USE ONLY
PLAYER I.D. CODE
DIST. OFFICE CODE
DATE RECEIVED
DRAW DATE
INITIALS
FOR HEADQUARTER OFFICE USE ONLY
POST MARK DATE
CODE(S)
REASON
RELEASED
CRN
CSL 1242 (R7/19)
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PRIZE PAYMENT INFORMATION
Failure to provide your original signed ticket with date of birth, legal name, complete address (including apartment or space number, city, state, zip code), email and phone number may delay or prevent the California State Lottery (Lottery) from processing your prize claim. Claims submitted to Lottery Headquarters for processing are paid by check and mailed from the California State Controller's Office. Processing time, once claim is received and verified, is approximately 8 weeks. If you have questions, contact the Lottery at 1-800- LOTTERY (568-8379), Monday through Friday.
Lottery prizes are not subject to California state income tax. The Lottery is required by federal tax law to withhold federal taxes of 24% for U.S. citizens and resident aliens. Non-US citizens will have 30% withheld from all prizes.
Tickets, transactions, purchases, claims and prize payments are subject to federal and state law and California Lottery regulations, policies and procedures. Copies of regulations are available at Lottery District Offices and on our website at www.calottery.com. Tickets failing validation are void.
INSTRUCTIONS
1.Print your legal name, street address, city, state, and zip code on the back of the ticket.
2.Sign your name on the back of the original ticket.
3.Complete the Claimant Information and Ticket Information sections on the first page of thisform.
4.Sign the first page of this form with ink. (ONLY ONE SIGNATURE IS PERMITTED)
5.Staple your original ticket to the front of this form.
KEEP A COPY OF THIS FORM AND A COPY OF THE FRONT AND BACK OF THE TICKET.
Deliver the completed claim form with original ticket to any Lottery District Office. Location and directions can be found at www.calottery.com.
OR, MAIL THIS CLAIM FORM, AT YOUR OWN RISK, WITH THE ORIGINAL TICKET STAPLED ON THE FRONT, TO: California Lottery, 730 North 10th Street, Sacramento, CA 95811-0336
Call 1-800-LOTTERY(568-8379), or visit any Lottery District Office to request a Multiple Ownership Claim form for group players (less than 100) sharing prizes of $1,000,000, or more.
PRIVACY NOTICE
The Information Practices Act of 1977 (Cal. Civ. Code §§1798-1798.78, the Federal Privacy Act (Public Law 93-579), 5 U.S.C. §552a, and Cal. Gov. Code §§11015.5 and 11019.9, require that this notice be provided when collecting personal information from individuals.
The Claimant Information requested on this form will be used to validate and process your claim in accordance with the California State Lottery Act of 1984 (Gov. Code §8880 et seq.). The Lottery requests a player's social security or
tax identification number (SSN/TIN) for tax withholding and reporting purposes, pursuant to Internal Revenue Code
§§6011, 6041, 6109, 3402, and the regulations enacted thereunder.
The Claimant Information you provide may be disclosed to various state and federal government agencies, including but not limited to: the State Controller's Office, Franchise Tax Board, Health and Welfare Agency, and the Internal Revenue Service. It will not be disclosed to members of the public.
You have the right to access your personal information maintained by the Lottery by contacting the California Lottery, 700 North 10th Street, Sacramento, CA 95811-0336 - Attention: Privacy Coordinator, Information Security Office - Security and Law Enforcement Division. The Privacy Coordinator can also be reached at 916-822-8800 or privacy@calottery.com.
Purpose and Relevancy of Information Collected: Information is collected to validate and process a claim and for purposes of sales, marketing, research, security investigation, legal review, surveys, and strategic planning as related to the operations of the Lottery. By submitting this claim, you consent and agree to such use, and waive any and all legal claims, known or unknown, related to the specified uses set forth herein. The California Lottery is subject to public disclosure laws that allow access to certain governmental records. Your full name, the name and location of the retailer who sold you the winning ticket, the date you won, and the amount of your winnings, including your gross and net installment payments, are matters of public record and are subject to disclosure. The Lottery will not disclose any other personal or identifying information without your permission unless legally required to do so. No information will be collected or accepted from known minors. You may be asked to participate in a press conference.
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VOLUNTARY DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
By volunteering to answer the following questions, you will help the Lottery know more about its players. The voluntary information that you provide regarding your ethnicity, household income, gender, and household composition will be used only by the Lottery to conduct internal demographic analyses (which may be completed by agents and contractors).
Which of the following do you consider yourself to be?
(Check all that apply)
African American
Asian
Hispanic
White
Other (Specify)
Annual Household Income
Under $30,000
$30,000 TO $49,999 $50,000 TO $99,999
$100,000 TO $149,999
$150,000 or more
Number of People in Household
(including yourself):
Gender
Female
Male
Nonbinary
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Filling out the California Scratchers form is a straightforward process. Follow the steps carefully to ensure your claim is processed without delays. Make sure you have all necessary information and your original ticket ready before starting.
What is the process for claiming a prize from a California Scratchers ticket?
To claim a prize of $599 or less, you can cash your ticket at any participating Lottery Retailer. For larger prizes, you must complete the California Scratchers claim form. First, print your legal name, address, and other required information on the back of the ticket. Then, sign the back of the ticket. Complete the Claimant Information and Ticket Information sections on the claim form. Attach the original ticket to the form and submit it either in person at a Lottery District Office or by mailing it to the California Lottery in Sacramento. Make sure to keep copies of everything for your records.
What information do I need to provide on the claim form?
You will need to provide your last name, first name, address, date of birth, and contact information, including an email address and phone number. Additionally, you must provide the ticket number and the prize amount you are claiming. It's essential to ensure that all information is accurate and matches the details on your ticket to avoid delays in processing your claim.
How long does it take to process a claim?
Once your claim is received and verified, the processing time is approximately eight weeks. If you submitted your claim by mail, it may take additional time for delivery. If you have questions about the status of your claim, you can contact the Lottery at 1-800-LOTTERY (568-8379) during business hours.
Are there any tax implications for winning a prize?
Yes, while California Lottery prizes are not subject to state income tax, federal tax laws require withholding. For U.S. citizens and resident aliens, 24% will be withheld from your winnings. If you are a non-U.S. citizen, 30% will be withheld. Be sure to keep this in mind when claiming your prize, as it will affect the amount you receive.
What should I do if I have multiple tickets to claim?
If you have more than one ticket to claim, you will need to complete a separate claim form for each ticket. Attach the original ticket to each claim form, ensuring that all information is filled out correctly. This helps streamline the processing of your claims and ensures that each ticket is handled properly.
Filling out the California Scratchers claim form can be straightforward, but many people make common mistakes that can delay their prize claims. Understanding these pitfalls can help ensure a smoother process.
One frequent error is failing to attach the original ticket to the form. The instructions clearly state that the original ticket must be included. Without it, the claim cannot be processed. Additionally, some individuals neglect to print their legal name and address on the back of the ticket. This information is crucial for validation and must match what is on the claim form.
Another common mistake is signing the ticket and the claim form with different signatures. The signature on the claim form must match the one on the ticket. If they don’t, it raises questions about the authenticity of the claim. Furthermore, many forget to include their complete address, including apartment numbers or space numbers. Omitting this information can lead to processing delays.
Providing incorrect or incomplete personal information is also a significant issue. Claimants often overlook entering their date of birth or fail to include their Social Security Number or Tax Identification Number. This information is essential for tax purposes and must be accurate.
Some people mistakenly assume they can submit multiple tickets on one claim form. Each ticket requires its own claim form. This oversight can cause confusion and delays in receiving the prize. Additionally, not keeping a copy of the submitted claim form and ticket can lead to complications if any issues arise later.
Another mistake involves mailing the claim form without properly stapling the ticket to the front. If the ticket is lost in transit, the claim cannot be processed. Lastly, some claimants do not read the instructions thoroughly. Skipping this step can result in missing critical information that could lead to a denied claim.
By being aware of these common mistakes, claimants can take the necessary steps to ensure their California Scratchers claim is processed efficiently. Taking the time to double-check all information can save a lot of frustration down the road.
The California Scratchers form is essential for claiming lottery prizes, but several other documents and forms may be needed in conjunction with it. Each of these documents serves a specific purpose in ensuring that the prize claim process runs smoothly. Below is a list of commonly used forms and documents that accompany the California Scratchers form.
Understanding these documents can help streamline the process of claiming lottery prizes in California. Each form plays a crucial role in ensuring that the claim is processed efficiently and in compliance with state and federal regulations.
When filling out the California Scratchers form, keep these tips in mind:
Following these guidelines can help ensure a smooth process for your prize claim.
Here are four common misconceptions about the California Scratchers form: