Find Unclaimed Money in Citrus County

Citrus County residents and former residents may have unclaimed money waiting to be picked up. Each year, thousands of dollars in unclaimed property sits with the Citrus County Clerk of Courts and Comptroller's office in Inverness. The clerk tries to return the money, but when those efforts fail, the funds become unclaimed property. You can search for unclaimed money in Citrus County through the clerk's published check registers or through the state database at FLTreasureHunt.gov. Both options are free to use.

Citrus County Clerk and Comptroller

The Citrus County Clerk of Courts and Comptroller holds unclaimed money from county operations. Clerk Traci Perry encourages all Citrus County residents and businesses to check for unclaimed funds on a regular basis. The office is at 110 North Apopka Avenue in Inverness. You can call (352) 341-6424 or email WebFinance@citrusclerk.org with questions about unclaimed money in Citrus County.

The clerk is required by Florida law to report unclaimed monies on a yearly basis to the Florida Department of Financial Services, Division of Unclaimed Property. Before that happens, the office makes efforts to find the rightful owners. When those attempts fail, the money sits as unclaimed property. The types of unclaimed funds held by the Citrus County Clerk include vendor payments, refunds, deposits, and cash bonds from court cases.

The Citrus County outstanding check registers and unclaimed money page on the clerk's site lists current unclaimed funds along with check register details.

From this page you can view two check registers that show outstanding payments. The Board of County Commissioners check register and the Clerk Outstanding Check Register both list checks that have not been cashed. If you see your name on either list, you can file a claim with the clerk's office.

Citrus County Outstanding Check Registers

Citrus County publishes two separate check registers that list unclaimed payments. The first is the Board of County Commissioners check register. This shows checks issued by the BOCC that were never cashed. The second is the Clerk Outstanding Check Register. It covers payments from the clerk's own operations. Look through both registers to see if your name shows up.

These lists cover payments like vendor checks, refund checks, jury compensation, and other disbursements from Citrus County government. The amounts vary from a few dollars to much larger sums. Even small amounts add up, so it is worth taking a few minutes to scan the lists. If you find your name, you need to file an Unclaimed Money Collection Affidavit with the clerk's office to get your money back.

Note: The Citrus County Clerk updates these registers periodically, so check back if you do not find anything on your first try.

Citrus County Unclaimed Money List

Every July, the Citrus County Clerk publishes a list in the Citrus County Chronicle public notices section. This list names the people and businesses with unclaimed money held by the clerk. It includes unclaimed vendor payments, refunds, deposits, and cash bonds. If you see your name in the paper, you must act fast.

Anyone who has or claims an interest in those funds must file an Unclaimed Money Collection Affidavit with the clerk's office by September 1st of that year. After that deadline, the unclaimed money in Citrus County gets sent to the state. Florida Statute 116.21 directs that unclaimed court-related funds held by the Clerk must go into the Fine and Forfeiture fund under Florida Statute 142.01. So if you miss the window, your next step is to search the state database at FLTreasureHunt.gov.

The Citrus County Clerk's homepage links to all county services including court records and financial reports.

The homepage gives you access to court services, recording, and finance pages. Use it as a starting point if you need to find specific unclaimed funds in Citrus County or need to contact a particular department.

Florida Unclaimed Property Search

The state database at FLTreasureHunt.gov is the best place to search for unclaimed money from Citrus County that has already been sent to the state. Under Chapter 717, Florida Statutes, businesses and government agencies must send unclaimed property to the state after a set holding period. For most types of property that period is five years. Wages become unclaimed after one year. Safe deposit box items go after three years.

The state search tool at FLTreasureHunt.gov/ClaimSearch lets you look up accounts by name. It works for both people and businesses. Search all name variations you have used. Try maiden names, married names, and nicknames. The database covers the entire state, so you may find unclaimed money from other counties too. There is no charge to search or file a claim. The state has up to 90 days to process your claim once you send in all the needed papers.

There is no time limit on claims in Florida. You can claim funds no matter how old they are. The money stays available forever.

How to Claim Unclaimed Money in Citrus County

The claim process depends on where the money is. For funds still with the Citrus County Clerk, you file the Unclaimed Money Collection Affidavit. Bring a government-issued photo ID and any documents that show the money is yours. Old checks, account records, or letters from the county can serve as proof. Mail or drop off the form at the clerk's office in Inverness.

For funds that have been sent to the state, go to FLTreasureHunt.gov and start the online claim process. The state will send you a claim form that lists what documents you need. At a minimum, you will need a copy of your photo ID showing your current address. If your ID does not show your current address, include something that does, like a utility bill. For deceased owners, you will need a certified death certificate plus ID and signatures from all heirs.

Florida law protects your right to claim this money at no cost. The state never takes legal ownership of unclaimed property. It just holds the funds until the right person comes forward. Beware of companies that offer to search for a fee. You can do the same search yourself for free on the state website.

Note: Keep copies of everything you send in when filing a claim for unclaimed money in Citrus County or with the state.

Statewide Unclaimed Property Resources

The Florida Treasure Hunt portal is the central hub for all unclaimed property searches across the state, including Citrus County funds that have been sent to Tallahassee.

This state site processes claims from residents of all 67 Florida counties. One in five Floridians has unclaimed funds in the system. The Division of Unclaimed Property in Tallahassee manages the program and can be reached at 888-258-2253 for questions about any funds tied to Citrus County or elsewhere in the state.

Cities in Citrus County

Citrus County includes the cities of Inverness, Crystal River, Homosassa, Lecanto, Beverly Hills, Citrus Springs, and Floral City. None of these cities maintain their own unclaimed property programs. All unclaimed money in Citrus County is handled by the clerk's office in Inverness or by the state after the holding period expires. Residents of every Citrus County community should search both the clerk's check registers and the state database.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Citrus County. If you have lived or worked in any of them, search for unclaimed money there as well. Funds are tied to the location of the business or agency that held them.