Surplus Funds from Tax Deed Sale

F.S.197.582 dictates the process to claim surplus funds by governmental lienholders, non-governmental lienholders, and owners of record.

Claimants have 120 days from the date of the Notice of Surplus Funds to submit a notarized claim to the Clerk and Comptroller. Claims can be submitted by mail, email, fax, or hand delivery.

Once the claim window has closed, the Clerk and Comptroller will make a determination according to the priorities set forth in F.S.197.582. Depending on the claim documentation submitted, the determination process may take four to seven (4-7) months. The Clerk and Comptroller’s Office may contact Claimants directly if additional information or documentation is required in consideration of a surplus claim.

All fraudulent claims shall be referred for prosecution.

To check the status of your claim, access the online Tax Deed records and search by the tax deed file number. Payment of surplus funds is issued by the Clerk and Comptroller upon written determination, which will be filed in the tax deed record.

The Clerk and Comptroller holds Surplus funds for one year. If our office receives no claims within one year from the date of the Notice of Surplus Funds, the monies are transferred to the State of Florida for holding.

• To view surplus funds from tax deed sale currently held by the Clerk and Comptroller, search the tax deed records online for files with a Balance Type of “Surplus Balance”.
• Visit Florida's Treasure Hunt website to search for unclaimed funds held by the State of Florida.