Complete Guide to Searching and Claiming in FL [2026]
Florida holds millions of dollars in unclaimed property waiting to be returned to rightful owners. The Sunshine State's massive tourism industry, large retiree population, and frequent relocations create significant unclaimed property from abandoned safe deposit boxes to forgotten timeshare deposits. The Florida Department of Financial Services is responsible for safeguarding and returning these assets to their owners.
Florida uses the Legacy Java/JSP (NOT KAPS) for its unclaimed property database. Property typically becomes dormant after 5 years of no owner activity, at which point holders must report it to the state by May 1 each year.
If you are looking for money owed to a Florida business, there are two different places it can be sitting, held by two different offices under two different statutes:
The distinction matters most for the deadline. Statewide property waits for you. County surplus does not: the clerk's notice starts a 120-day clock, and a claim filed after it is barred.
Where Claimiflo fits: we cover Florida county surplus programs only. We do not offer statewide Florida unclaimed property — that program is handled directly by the Florida Department of Financial Services and is free to search and claim yourself at fltreasurehunt.gov. Everything below about the statewide program is provided as a guide, not as a service we sell.
This is the official state website operated by the Florida Department of Financial Services. Use this site to:
When a Florida property is sold at a tax deed sale for more than the amount owed in taxes and costs, the difference is called a surplus. It does not go to the county. It is held by the clerk of the circuit court for the people who had an interest in the property, and it has to be claimed.
This is the part businesses miss. A company that lost a property to a tax deed sale, or that held a recorded lien or mortgage against one, may be owed surplus without ever being told in a way that reached the right person. And unlike statewide unclaimed property, nobody is holding it for you indefinitely.
The clerk sends a notice of surplus funds after the sale. From the date of that notice, Fla. Stat. § 197.582(5) gives a claimant 120 days to file a written claim. The statutory notice form itself spells it out: the surplus “will be held by this office for 120 days beginning on the date of this notice.” Claims not filed by the close of business on the 120th day are barred, and the clerk then processes the funds under Chapter 717.
Surplus funds attract third-party recovery outfits, and Florida legislated against the worst of it. Under Fla. Stat. § 45.033(3), an assignment of the right to a surplus is only valid if it meets specific requirements, including that the assignee's total compensation “does not exceed 12 percent of the surplus.” If someone asks you to sign over your right to the surplus in exchange for a cut, that cap and those formalities are the law you should be reading first. You never have to assign your claim to anyone to file it, and you can file it yourself with the clerk at no cost.
Some counties require claims to be filed through the court, and practice varies. Confirm current requirements with the clerk for the county in question.
Visit fltreasurehunt.gov and search using your name or business name.
Check the property details (address, holder name) to confirm it belongs to you.
Initiate your claim online and record your claim number immediately for tracking purposes.
Provide proof of identity and ownership as requested by the state.
Statewide DFS claims typically take 30-90 days to process. County surplus timing is set by the county clerk.
Once approved, receive your funds via check or direct deposit (if available).
| Dormancy Period | 5 years |
|---|---|
| Holder Reporting Deadline | before May 1 |
| Holding Period | Indefinitely |
| Official Search Portal | Official Florida search portal |
| Online Claim Submission | Yes — claims can be filed online |
Florida Department of Financial Services
(850) 413-5555
Florida Treasure Hunt program. Must select payment method within 5 days of approval. State will NOT contact via text.
Our coverage follows Florida's two programs separately:
Florida Department of Financial Services
You file your own claim with the county clerk. We never take an assignment or a percentage.
Check both programs. Statewide unclaimed property is free to search and claim directly with the state, and it waits for you. County tax-deed surplus is held by the county clerk, is included in Claimiflo's paid plans, and is barred 120 days after the clerk's notice.