Finance FAQs

If a business, financial institution, or government owes you money that you did not collect, it is considered unclaimed money or property. These could be outstanding checks that have not cleared the bank because they were lost or destroyed.

You may be able to file for unclaimed money owed to you (or to a deceased relative if you are the legal heir).

Clerks of Court and County Comptrollers play a crucial role in the management of unclaimed funds, ensuring that excess monies are held for a specified period and then transferred to the State of Florida as unclaimed property if not claimed.

The Sarasota Clerk and Comptroller is responsible for maintaining a list of all the unclaimed funds, along with the names of those entitled to the money. Notice is provided to the owner of the funds prior to our office advertising the list in the local newspaper (or similar platform). Usually, we publish the list in July in the Business Observer. Our office issues many checks throughout the year to individuals who are entitled to lost or forgotten money. We provide guidance on the claims process to help individuals recover funds.

For unclaimed monies in Florida, go to Florida's Unclaimed Property.

You can also check the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA) – The leading, trusted authority in unclaimed property to learn more about searching in other states.

In the situation when a person or business has an unclaimed check that our office issued for county-related and court-related activities, it is necessary to request a stop payment on the check by submitting a notarized Affidavit for Stop Payment(PDF, 258KB) form along with an unclaimed money claim.

To request stop payment on a check or to submit a claim for unclaimed money held by the Clerk and Comptroller, a notarized Affidavit for Stop Payment(PDF, 258KB) form must be completed and returned by mail or in person at one of our office locations.

Upon receipt of the completed Affidavit for Stop Payment(PDF, 258KB) form, the Clerk's Finance Department will re-issue the referenced check and mail it to the address on the form.

Call the Clerk Finance Department at (941) 861-7640 to obtain the required information:

• Check number
• Check date
• Amount of original check
• Description or case number
• Payee name

1. Complete the Affidavit for Stop Payment form with the required information.
2. Print the form, but do not sign.
3. Take the form to a notary public.
4. Sign the form in the presence of the notary public.
5. Mail the completed, signed, and notarized form to:

Karen E. Rushing
Sarasota County Clerk and Comptroller
Attn: Clerk Finance Department, Room 303
P.O. Box 3079,
Sarasota, FL 34230-3079