Homestead Unclaimed Funds
Unclaimed money connected to Homestead addresses is held in the Florida state vault. These funds come from dormant bank accounts, old paychecks, insurance refunds, utility deposits, and other financial assets that could not be returned to their rightful owners. Searching the state database is free and takes only a couple of minutes. Homestead sits at the southern end of Miami-Dade County and has grown fast in recent years, which means new unclaimed accounts get reported regularly. Check your name now and see if the state is holding money for you.
Homestead Quick Facts
How to Search for Lost Money in Homestead
Head to the Florida Treasure Hunt search page. This is the official state tool run by the Florida Department of Financial Services. It is free and works around the clock. Type your name and the system searches every reported unclaimed account in the state, including those linked to Homestead zip codes.
Do not stop at one search. Use your full legal name first, then try other versions. Nicknames, maiden names, and former married names can all show up in records. Homestead has a large community where people sometimes go by shortened or alternate versions of their legal names. Those differences matter when searching the database.
If you ran a business in the Homestead area, along Krome Avenue or US-1, search under the business name as well. Vendor refunds, customer overpayments, and old utility deposits tied to business accounts get reported to the state the same way personal accounts do.
Where Homestead Unclaimed Money Comes From
Unclaimed funds in Homestead have various sources. Chapter 717, Florida Statutes sets the rules. Businesses must send unclaimed property to the state when they cannot find the rightful owner. Dormant bank accounts get reported after five years. Uncashed paychecks go after one year per Section 717.115.
Homestead's agricultural sector generates unclaimed wages. Farm workers and nursery employees who leave jobs without collecting final pay contribute to the unclaimed money pool. The one-year reporting period for wages means these funds enter the state system quickly. Insurance refunds, security deposits from rental properties along Campbell Drive or in the Homestead area, and old commission checks are all common sources.
Safe deposit box contents left at Homestead bank branches for three or more years get turned over under Section 717.116. Contents can include cash, jewelry, and documents. The state inventories everything and holds it for the rightful owner.
Note: Homestead's rapid growth means people move in and out often, which creates more unclaimed property than you might expect for a city its size.
Which County Handles Homestead Unclaimed Funds
Homestead is in Miami-Dade County. All court-related unclaimed money for Homestead goes through the county court system. The Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts is at 111 NW 1st St., Miami, FL 33128. Call (305) 275-1155 for questions about court-held funds.
Tax deed surplus is something Homestead residents should know about. When property sells at a tax deed auction for more than what was owed in taxes, the extra money belongs to the former owner. Foreclosure surplus works the same way under Florida Statute 45.032. Homestead has seen its share of property turnover, and surplus funds may be waiting for former owners who never knew about them.
| Office | Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts |
|---|---|
| Address | 111 NW 1st St., Miami, FL 33128 |
| Phone | (305) 275-1155 |
There is also a South Dade Justice Center near Homestead that handles some local court matters. Contact the Clerk to find out if court-held money from a Homestead case is still local or has been sent to the state.
Filing a Claim for Homestead Unclaimed Money
If you find your name in the database, file a claim at fltreasurehunt.gov. Click the account and follow the instructions on screen. The process is simple.
Bring a government-issued photo ID. If the address on your ID does not show your current Homestead address, include a utility bill or bank statement as proof of where you live now. For older accounts, the state may ask for additional documentation. Old bank records, insurance letters, or pay stubs that connect you to the account are what they need to see.
Claims for deceased Homestead residents need a certified death certificate and proof of heirship. Processing takes up to 90 days for a complete claim. Many finish sooner. There is no cost to file. It is free start to finish.
Homestead City Website
The City of Homestead website has information about city services and local government resources.
Homestead does not manage unclaimed funds at the city level. The state handles that. But the Homestead city site is a good place to find local contact information if you need help with other government services in the area.
Florida Treasure Hunt Portal
The Florida Treasure Hunt homepage is the central hub for all unclaimed property in the state, including money tied to Homestead.
From this portal you can search for unclaimed money, file a claim, check claim status, and read about how the process works. The site also warns about phishing scams and fraud attempts.
Florida Law on Unclaimed Property for Homestead
Florida law protects your right to claim lost money. There is no deadline. The state never takes ownership. It holds the funds as custodian until the rightful owner comes forward. Money reported one year ago or several decades ago is all still claimable at no cost.
Section 717.102 establishes that intangible property unclaimed for more than five years is presumed abandoned. Wages have a one-year rule under Section 717.115. Safe deposit box items follow a three-year dormancy per Section 717.116. Holders in the Homestead area must file annual reports with the state by May 1 each year as Section 717.117 requires.
Under Section 116.21, the Miami-Dade Clerk handles unclaimed court-related funds from Homestead proceedings. This includes uncashed vendor checks, jury payments, and refunds from court cases. These funds go through separate reporting steps before reaching the state system.
Note: Agricultural employers near Homestead should be aware of the one-year wage reporting rule, as short-term workers often leave without collecting their final pay.
Search Tips for Homestead Residents
Being thorough with your search makes all the difference. Keep these tips in mind:
- Search every name you have ever used
- Try misspellings and shortened versions of your name
- Look up deceased family members from the Homestead area
- Search business names tied to south Miami-Dade
- Use MissingMoney.com for a multi-state search
- Search every state you have lived in
Reports come in each May. What shows nothing today might turn up Homestead unclaimed money later in the year. Make it an annual habit. The search is always free.
Scam Warnings for Homestead
Watch out for scams. The state will never send a text or call out of the blue about unclaimed money. Anyone asking for your Social Security number, bank account details, or a fee to release funds is trying to scam you. The only legitimate way to search and claim is the official state website. It costs nothing.
Some companies will offer to search for unclaimed money on your behalf for a percentage of what they find. You do not need them. The state site at fltreasurehunt.gov is designed for anyone to use without help. If you need assistance, call the Division of Unclaimed Property toll-free at 888-258-2253.
Nearby Cities
These cities are near Homestead. Search under other addresses if you have lived or worked in nearby areas.
Miami-Dade County Page
Visit the full Miami-Dade County page for county-wide unclaimed money information.