Access Miami Beach Unclaimed Money
Unclaimed money linked to Miami Beach addresses is being held by the state of Florida right now. Old bank account balances, insurance payouts, uncashed paychecks, rental security deposits, and other financial assets from Miami Beach residents and businesses are sitting in the state vault. You can search for free at any time. Miami Beach has a transient population with people coming and going frequently, which means unclaimed accounts tied to this barrier island city are surprisingly common. A name search takes just a few minutes.
Miami Beach Quick Facts
How to Search for Unclaimed Money in Miami Beach
Go to the Florida Treasure Hunt search page to start. This free tool is run by the Florida Department of Financial Services. Type your name and it searches all unclaimed accounts statewide, including those tied to Miami Beach zip codes.
Miami Beach residents move often. Seasonal renters, condo owners who sell and relocate, and hospitality workers who change jobs frequently all create situations where mail does not get forwarded and money gets left behind. Search every name you have used. Try maiden names, former married names, and any nicknames that might appear on old accounts from South Beach, North Beach, or the Mid-Beach area.
Business owners on Collins Avenue, Lincoln Road, or Ocean Drive should search under their business names. Vendor refunds, customer overpayments, and old utility deposits from commercial accounts get reported to the state just like personal property does.
Where Miami Beach Unclaimed Money Comes From
Lost funds from Miami Beach come from numerous sources. Under Chapter 717, Florida Statutes, businesses must turn over money they cannot return to the rightful owner. Bank accounts dormant for five years get reported. Uncashed paychecks go after one year per Section 717.115.
The hospitality industry in Miami Beach generates a lot of unclaimed wages. Hotels, restaurants, and bars on South Beach and throughout the city employ thousands of workers. High turnover means final paychecks and tips sometimes go uncollected. Commission checks from real estate transactions on the island also end up unclaimed when agents move or change firms.
Rental security deposits are another major source in Miami Beach. The condo and apartment rental market here is active, and deposits get left behind when tenants do not provide a forwarding address. Insurance refunds, utility deposits from FPL and the city water department, and forgotten safe deposit box contents also contribute to the unclaimed money pool.
Note: Safe deposit box contents from Miami Beach bank branches go to the state after three years of no activity per Section 717.116.
Which County Handles Miami Beach Unclaimed Funds
Miami Beach is in Miami-Dade County. The county court system manages all court-held money for the city. The Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts at 111 NW 1st St., Miami, FL 33128 handles bond money, lawsuit deposits, and tax deed and foreclosure surplus. The phone number is (305) 275-1155.
Tax deed surplus can be significant for Miami Beach properties given the high real estate values. When a property sells at a tax deed auction above what was owed, the surplus goes to the former owner. Foreclosure surplus works the same way under Florida Statute 45.032. Former Miami Beach condo or home owners who lost property through a tax sale should check with the Clerk.
| Office | Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts |
|---|---|
| Address | 111 NW 1st St., Miami, FL 33128 |
| Phone | (305) 275-1155 |
The Clerk can tell you if court-held money from a Miami Beach case is still at the courthouse or has been sent to the state.
Claiming Your Miami Beach Lost Money
If the search turns up your name, file a claim through fltreasurehunt.gov. Click on the account and follow the steps. You will need to prove who you are and that the account belongs to you.
Bring a government-issued photo ID. If the address on your ID does not match your current Miami Beach address, add a utility bill or bank statement as proof of residence. For older accounts, the state may need old bank records, letters from insurance companies, or pay stubs linking you to the account. The claim form tells you what to provide for each account.
Heirs claiming money from a deceased Miami Beach resident need a certified death certificate and evidence of heirship. Claims take up to 90 days to process. Filing is always free.
Miami Beach City Website
The City of Miami Beach website provides information on city services, permits, and local government resources.
Miami Beach does not directly manage unclaimed funds. That falls to the state. The city site is useful for local contact information and other government services in the Miami Beach area.
Florida Treasure Hunt Portal
The Florida Treasure Hunt homepage is the central portal for all unclaimed property in Florida, including money connected to Miami Beach.
From this portal you can search, file claims, check claim status, and learn about common scams. The state posts warnings here about fraudulent texts and calls related to unclaimed money.
Florida Law and Miami Beach Unclaimed Property
Your unclaimed money never expires under Florida law. The state holds it as custodian. It does not become state property. You can claim funds reported one year ago or multiple decades ago. There is no fee and no deadline.
Section 717.102 says intangible property unclaimed for five or more years is presumed abandoned. Wages have a one-year dormancy under Section 717.115. Safe deposit items go after three years per Section 717.116. Holders operating in Miami Beach must file annual reports by May 1 as Section 717.117 requires. They must also try to contact the owner before sending the money to the state.
Under Section 116.21, the Miami-Dade Clerk manages unclaimed court-related funds. This includes uncashed refunds, vendor checks, and jury payments from court proceedings involving Miami Beach cases.
Note: The high volume of real estate transactions in Miami Beach means escrow funds and title company refunds are a common source of unclaimed property here.
Search Tips for Miami Beach Residents
Get the most out of your search by being thorough:
- Search every name you have gone by
- Try misspellings and alternate spellings
- Look up deceased family members who lived in Miami Beach
- Search business names tied to the Miami Beach area
- Use MissingMoney.com to check other states
New reports arrive each May. A search that turns up nothing now might show Miami Beach unclaimed money after the next reporting cycle. Search once a year at minimum. It is always free.
Scam Awareness for Miami Beach
Be alert for fraud. The Florida Department of Financial Services will never text or call you about unclaimed money without you reaching out first. If someone asks for your Social Security number, bank account info, or a fee to release lost money, walk away. It is a scam. The only legitimate way to search and claim is through the official state website.
Some companies charge a percentage to search and file claims on your behalf. You do not need to pay anyone. The state website at fltreasurehunt.gov is designed so anyone can use it. For assistance, call the Division of Unclaimed Property toll-free at 888-258-2253.
Nearby Cities
These cities are near Miami Beach. Search neighboring areas too if you have lived close by, since unclaimed money goes by the last address on file.
Miami-Dade County Page
For county-wide unclaimed money details, visit the full Miami-Dade page.