Bradford County Unclaimed Money Search

Unclaimed money in Bradford County could be sitting in a state database right now with your name on it. Florida holds millions in lost funds from forgotten accounts, old checks, and insurance proceeds. Bradford County residents can search for free through the state's official website. The Clerk of Courts in Starke may also hold court-related funds that have gone unclaimed. Whether you are looking for a small refund or a larger account, searching takes just a few minutes and costs you nothing. If money is out there under your name in Bradford County, now is the time to look.

Search Bradford County Lost Funds

Start your search at fltreasurehunt.gov. This is the official search portal for all unclaimed property in Florida, including Bradford County. The Florida Department of Financial Services runs this database. It is free. It works around the clock. Roughly one in five people in the state have money waiting for them, and Bradford County residents are part of that number.

When you search, try every name you have gone by. Maiden names, married names, nicknames, and even slight misspellings can make a difference. The database pulls from what holders reported, and errors happen. If you owned a business near Starke or anywhere in Bradford County, search that name as well. Both personal and business accounts appear in the same system. A single search can reveal multiple accounts you did not know about.

Where Bradford County Unclaimed Funds Come From

The sources of unclaimed money in Bradford County are varied. Chapter 717, Florida Statutes requires holders to turn over property they cannot return to its owner. Bank accounts go dormant after five years with no activity. Uncashed payroll checks become unclaimed after one year. Insurance proceeds, stock dividends, utility refunds, and credit balances all fall under the law. Once the hold period passes and the business cannot find the owner, the funds go to the state.

At the county level, the Bradford County Clerk of Courts handles money that passes through the court system in Starke. Court registry deposits from civil cases, cash bonds from criminal matters, and surplus from tax deed sales can all end up unclaimed. When property in Bradford County sells at a tax deed auction for more than what was owed, the leftover money belongs to the prior owner. The Clerk holds these funds for about a year before sending them to the state under Section 116.21.

Note: Tax deed surplus and foreclosure surplus are separate from the general state unclaimed property fund, so always check with the Bradford County Clerk directly.

Claiming Unclaimed Money in Bradford County

Found something? Good. You can file a claim right from the search results at fltreasurehunt.gov. The site will generate a claim form for you. Read it carefully. It lists exactly what documents the state needs to verify your claim.

At a minimum, you need a copy of your government-issued photo ID showing your current address. A driver's license works. If the address on your ID does not match where you live now, add a utility bill or bank statement as proof. Ownership matters most. The state wants evidence connecting you to the account, not just a name match. Old bank records, insurance paperwork, or employer documents can serve as proof. For Bradford County unclaimed money linked to a relative who passed away, you will also need a certified death certificate and proof that you are an heir or personal representative of the estate.

Processing takes up to 90 days from when the state gets your complete package. Many claims finish faster. But if you leave out a document, it delays everything. Get it right the first time.

Bradford County Clerk of Courts

The Bradford County Clerk of Courts is located at 945 N. Temple Ave., Starke, FL 32091. Call them at (904) 966-6280. This office manages all court-held funds in Bradford County. If you had a case in circuit or county court and left money behind, the Clerk may still hold it. Cash bonds, registry deposits, and surplus funds from property sales can all sit unclaimed with the Bradford County Clerk.

The Clerk reports unclaimed court funds to the state each year as required by Florida law. Once that happens, the money transfers to the Division of Unclaimed Property in Tallahassee. So checking both places is smart. Call the Clerk in Starke first for recent funds. Then search the state database for anything already transferred.

Florida Unclaimed Property Database

The Florida Treasure Hunt website serves as the central hub for unclaimed money searches covering Bradford County and the rest of the state.

Bradford County residents can use this portal to search by name, check claim status, and learn about the process. The state holds all types of lost property. Bank deposits, insurance benefits, stocks, bonds, and uncashed checks are the most common. There is no fee at any point.

Bradford County Unclaimed Property Laws

Florida law protects Bradford County residents who have unclaimed money. Under Chapter 717, there is no time limit on claims. Your funds do not expire. The state holds them as custodian and never takes legal ownership. You or your heirs can claim the money whenever you find it. That could be next week or ten years from now. The amount stays the same.

Holders in Bradford County and across Florida are required to report unclaimed property by May 1 each year per Section 717.117. Before reporting, they must try to find the owner. When they fail, the money goes to the state. Different property types have different dormancy periods. General accounts wait five years. Wages wait just one year under Section 717.115. Safe deposit box contents become unclaimed after three years per Section 717.116. Traveler's checks have a 15-year wait. Once the state receives these funds, they go into the State School Fund to support public education, but the original amount remains available to the rightful owner.

Search Tool for Bradford County Residents

The state search page gives Bradford County residents direct access to the unclaimed property database.

You can search for a person or a business. Results show the holder name, type of property, and the reported amount. From there, you start the claim online. Bradford County residents who have lived in other states should also try MissingMoney.com to check multiple state databases at once.

Tips for Bradford County Unclaimed Money

Getting the most out of your search takes a little effort. Here are some practical steps for Bradford County residents:

• Search every name variation including maiden and former married names
• Check names of deceased family members who lived in Bradford County
• Look up any business names tied to the Starke area
• Try slight misspellings of your name
• Search each state where you have lived or worked

Watch out for scams. The state never contacts you by text about a claim. Nobody should ask for your Social Security number or bank info over the phone to "release" funds. The only real process goes through fltreasurehunt.gov. It is free. If someone wants to charge you to search or file, you do not need their help. You can also reach the state by phone at 888-258-2253.

Nearby Counties

Bradford County shares borders with several other Florida counties. Your unclaimed money may be reported under an address in a neighboring county, so it is worth checking these as well.