Lafayette County Unclaimed Money

Unclaimed money in Lafayette County can come from dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks, old insurance payments, or other funds that no one has claimed. Lafayette County is one of the least populated counties in Florida, with its county seat in Mayo. The state holds these lost funds through the Department of Financial Services and makes them searchable for free. The Clerk of Courts in Mayo may also keep court-related deposits that went uncollected. Running a quick search could turn up money tied to your name that you never knew about.

Search Lafayette County Unclaimed Funds

Go to fltreasurehunt.gov to search for unclaimed money in Lafayette County. This is the official state database. The Florida Department of Financial Services runs it. It is free, and it works at any hour. Banks, insurance companies, employers, and government agencies from all over the state report unclaimed property to this one database. Even in a county as small as Lafayette, there can be funds that belong to current or former residents. The state estimates one in five Floridians has some form of unclaimed property.

Try all name variations. Use your maiden name, any married names, and nicknames. Misspellings in old records happen regularly, so search different versions of your name. If you had a business in Mayo or anywhere in Lafayette County, check that name as well. Both personal and business accounts appear in the same database.

Note: The state search is free and available 24 hours a day with no account needed.

Where Lafayette County Unclaimed Money Originates

Chapter 717, Florida Statutes covers how unclaimed property works in the state. Businesses and government bodies must report funds after a dormancy period. A bank account with no activity for five years gets sent to the state. Payroll checks that nobody cashes go after one year. Safe deposit box contents become unclaimed after three years. Insurance benefits, stock dividends, utility deposits, and credit refunds all follow similar rules. Every year by May 1, holders in Lafayette County and throughout Florida file reports with the state.

At the county level, the Lafayette County Clerk of Courts at 120 W. Main St., Mayo, FL 32066, can hold court-related unclaimed funds. These include cash bonds, court registry deposits from civil or criminal cases, and surplus money from tax deed or foreclosure sales. Under Florida Statute 116.21, the Clerk tracks unclaimed court monies. They typically hold these funds for about a year before sending them to the state. Call (386) 294-1600 to ask the Clerk about any court-held money in Lafayette County.

How to File a Claim in Lafayette County

When you spot unclaimed money with your name on it in Lafayette County, start the claim at fltreasurehunt.gov. Click on the matching account. The website gives you a claim form to fill out. You need your government-issued photo ID. If the address on it is not current, send a utility bill or bank statement showing your real address too.

Proving ownership is the hardest part. Having the same name as the account holder is not enough on its own, because people share names. The state may want old bank statements, insurance papers, pay stubs, or tax documents that link you to that specific account. For Lafayette County unclaimed money that belonged to a deceased person, you also need a certified death certificate and proof you are an heir. The state has up to 90 days to process your claim after they get everything, though many claims go through faster than that. It costs nothing to file.

Lafayette County Unclaimed Property Laws

There is no statute of limitations on unclaimed money in Florida. Your claim does not expire. The state never takes legal ownership of the funds. Chapter 717 makes the Department of Financial Services a custodian only. Lafayette County residents or their heirs can come forward at any time and claim their money for free.

The dormancy periods that trigger property being reported vary. Section 717.102 covers the general five-year rule for most assets. Section 717.115 makes wages unclaimed after just one year. Section 717.116 sets the safe deposit box period at three years. Life insurance under Section 717.107 is five years. Travelers checks under Section 717.104 go at 15 years. Holders across Lafayette County and the rest of Florida must file reports by May 1 each year as Section 717.117 requires. Funds that reach the state go into the State School Fund for public education. The original amount stays available for the owner forever.

Note: Florida Statute 116.21 addresses unclaimed court-related funds held by the Lafayette County Clerk.

Lafayette County Search Tips

Make the most of your unclaimed money search in Lafayette County with these ideas:

• Search all past names you have used, including maiden and married names
• Try spelling variations and nicknames
• Look up any business you owned in Mayo or anywhere in Lafayette County
• Check names of deceased relatives from the area
• Use MissingMoney.com to search all states at once

If you moved to Lafayette County from elsewhere, check your former state too. Unclaimed money follows the address the holder had on file for you. That might be an old address in a place you lived years ago. Each state maintains its own database.

Florida Treasure Hunt Homepage

The Florida Treasure Hunt website is the official state portal for all unclaimed property in Florida, and it covers Lafayette County residents.

Search for lost funds, check an existing claim, or learn about the unclaimed property program. The site warns users about phishing scams and confirms the state will never send text messages about claims.

State Claim Search Page

The Florida claim search tool is where Lafayette County residents can look up unclaimed funds by name in seconds.

Enter a person or business name to see results. Each listing shows the property type, holder, and reported amount. You can begin a claim right from the results. It is free and there is no deadline.

Watch for Scams in Lafayette County

Scammers know people look for unclaimed money. In Lafayette County and the rest of Florida, be alert to anyone who contacts you about lost funds without you searching first. The Florida Department of Financial Services does not send text messages about claims. They do not call asking for your Social Security number or banking information. If someone says they can get your money faster for a fee, you do not need that service.

You can search, file, and collect your unclaimed money at no cost through fltreasurehunt.gov. The state toll-free line is 888-258-2253 if you need to talk to someone. Keep every dollar of your Lafayette County unclaimed money by doing it yourself.

Nearby Counties

Lafayette County borders several north Florida counties. If you lived near a county line, your unclaimed money might be filed under an address in a neighboring county.