Holmes County Unclaimed Money
Unclaimed money in Holmes County may belong to current or former residents who never collected funds owed to them. The state of Florida holds these lost funds through the Department of Financial Services, and anyone can search for free. Holmes County is a small county in the Florida panhandle with its seat in Bonifay. The Clerk of Courts there may also hold court-related funds that have gone unclaimed. Whether it is a forgotten bank account, an old refund check, or surplus from a property sale, a search only takes a few minutes and costs nothing at all.
Holmes County Quick Facts
Search Holmes County Unclaimed Funds Online
The quickest way to find unclaimed money in Holmes County is through the state database at fltreasurehunt.gov. The Florida Department of Financial Services runs this free tool. It holds records from every bank, insurance company, employer, and government agency that has reported unclaimed property in the state. Holmes County residents can search any time of day. You type in your name and see what comes up. One in five people in Florida has unclaimed property, and even a small county like Holmes can have funds waiting for its residents.
Make sure you search all name variations. Use maiden names, old married names, and nicknames. If you have ever run a business in Bonifay or anywhere in Holmes County, search under that business name as well.
Note: You do not need to make an account to search or to file a claim.
Where Holmes County Lost Money Comes From
Lost money in Holmes County has the same sources as the rest of the state. Chapter 717, Florida Statutes sets the rules. When someone does not touch a bank account for five years, that money gets reported to the state. Uncashed payroll checks become unclaimed after one year. Safe deposit box items go after three years. Insurance proceeds, stock dividends, credit balances, and utility refunds are all covered. These rules apply to every business and government holder in Holmes County.
The Holmes County Clerk of Courts at 201 N. Oklahoma St., Bonifay, FL 32425, can hold court-related funds as well. Cash bonds, deposits from lawsuits, and surplus money from tax deed sales or foreclosures may sit with the Clerk. Under Florida Statute 116.21, the Clerk must track these unclaimed court-related monies. After a holding period of about one year, any unclaimed funds from Holmes County typically get sent to the state. Calling the Clerk at (850) 547-1100 is a good step if you think court funds might be yours.
How to Claim Unclaimed Money in Holmes County
If the search turns up unclaimed money tied to Holmes County and your name, you can start the claim online at fltreasurehunt.gov. Select the account and follow the instructions. You will fill out a claim form. The state requires a copy of your government-issued photo ID. If the address on your ID does not match where you live now, add a current utility bill or bank statement.
Proving ownership is the main step. Having the same name is not proof. The state may need old bank statements, an insurance policy, a tax document, or pay stubs that connect you to the account. For Holmes County unclaimed money that belonged to someone who passed away, the state also requires a certified death certificate and documents showing you are an heir or a personal representative. The full review can take up to 90 days. Many claims are processed faster, but that is the time the state is allowed by law.
Filing a claim costs nothing. There is no fee at any point.
Holmes County Unclaimed Property Laws
Florida law protects your right to unclaimed money. There is no deadline. The state never takes ownership of your funds. Under Chapter 717, the Department of Financial Services is just a custodian. You or your heirs can claim the money at any time, free of charge.
Different types of property have different dormancy periods before they are considered unclaimed. Section 717.102 covers the general five-year rule. Section 717.115 makes wages unclaimed after one year. Section 717.116 covers safe deposit boxes at three years. Section 717.107 handles life insurance at five years. Travelers checks under Section 717.104 have a 15-year window. Holders in Holmes County and across Florida must report unclaimed property to the state by May 1 each year per Section 717.117. Once those funds reach the state, they go into the State School Fund for public education. But the full original amount is always available for the rightful owner.
Note: Florida Statute 116.21 specifically addresses unclaimed court-related funds held by the Holmes County Clerk.
Tips for Searching Holmes County Records
Getting thorough results from your Holmes County unclaimed money search means casting a wide net. Try these approaches:
- Search maiden names and any former married names
- Try common misspellings or shortened versions of your name
- Look up businesses you owned in Holmes County or the Bonifay area
- Check the names of deceased family members from Holmes County
- Search MissingMoney.com to check multiple states at once
Unclaimed money follows the address that the holder had on file. If you moved to Holmes County from another state, go search that state too. Each state has its own unclaimed property program with its own database. A few extra minutes of searching could pay off.
Florida Treasure Hunt Portal
The Florida Treasure Hunt website is the state's official tool for searching unclaimed property, and it covers Holmes County along with every other county in the state.
You can start a search, check a pending claim, or read about what kinds of unclaimed property the state holds. The site also has a warning about phishing scams that target people looking for lost money.
State Search Tool for Unclaimed Funds
The claim search page is where Holmes County residents can type in a name and see if the state holds any unclaimed money.
Results list the property type, the name of the holder who reported it, and the amount. You can file a claim for any matching account directly from this page. No cost and no deadline to worry about.
Scam Warnings for Holmes County Residents
Be careful of scams when looking for unclaimed money in Holmes County. The state will never contact you by text about a claim. Nobody from the Florida Department of Financial Services will call asking for your bank account number or Social Security number. The only way to claim funds is through the official website. If someone reaches out saying they can get your money for a fee, that is likely a scam or at best an unnecessary service.
You can do everything yourself at no cost. Search at fltreasurehunt.gov, file a claim, and keep all of your Holmes County unclaimed money. If you want to talk to someone, call the state toll-free at 888-258-2253.
Nearby Counties
Holmes County borders several other panhandle counties. Unclaimed money is linked to the address on file, so check neighboring areas too if you have lived near the county line.