Access Marion County Unclaimed Money

Marion County has unclaimed money that belongs to local residents and former residents alike. With a population of nearly 429,000, this north-central Florida county generates a large amount of unclaimed property each year. Dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks, court surplus funds, and forgotten insurance payouts all feed the system. The Marion County Clerk of Courts in Ocala manages locally held funds while the state tracks the rest. Searching for unclaimed money in Marion County is free and takes just a few minutes through the state database or the Clerk's office.

Marion County Unclaimed Property Search

Go to fltreasurehunt.gov first. This is the state's official database for all unclaimed property in Florida. It covers Marion County along with every other county. Enter your name and see results in seconds. The search is free. No account or sign-up needed. About 20% of people in Florida find something, and Marion County residents are no exception.

Use every name you have gone by when searching for unclaimed money in Marion County. A maiden name from decades ago could have money tied to it. Old business names count too. Banks and companies reported accounts using whatever name was on file, and small typos can hide real claims. Try a few different spellings each time you search the Marion County database results. The system holds bank deposits, insurance checks, stocks, refunds, wages, and vendor payments from across the state.

Run a search at MissingMoney.com as well. This site pulls from multiple states. If you lived elsewhere before moving to Marion County, funds from those states could show up here. It only takes a minute.

Marion County Clerk Unclaimed Funds

The Marion County Clerk of Courts in Ocala holds some unclaimed funds locally. These are mostly tied to court activity. Tax deed surplus from Marion County property sales is one type. When a tax deed auction brings in more money than the debt, the leftover goes to the former owner. Foreclosure surplus works the same way. Court registry deposits, cash bonds, and uncashed checks from county operations also sit with the Clerk.

Florida Statute Section 116.21 tells the Clerk to keep records of all unclaimed court-related funds. Each year, Marion County publishes a list of people with money waiting. After the holding period passes, the Clerk sends unclaimed funds to the state under Chapter 717, Florida Statutes. That is why older unclaimed money from Marion County turns up in the state database rather than the local records.

The Marion County Clerk of Courts website has details about services and how to check on local unclaimed money.

Visit the Marion County Clerk site to check for funds still held locally in Ocala before they transfer to the state system.

How to Claim Funds in Marion County

The claim process depends on where your unclaimed money sits. State-held funds from Marion County are claimed through the Florida Treasure Hunt claim page. Find your account and start the online process. A claim form comes to you with instructions on what documents to provide.

You will need a valid government-issued photo ID. It must show your current address. If it shows an old one, include a utility bill or bank statement as proof. Ownership documentation is also required. Same name does not equal same person. The state receives multiple claims on single accounts from Marion County and the rest of Florida, so they verify each one carefully. Mail your completed form and documents to the address on the claim form. The state has up to 90 days to process it once they have everything they need.

For locally held unclaimed money, contact the Marion County Clerk at (352) 671-5604. Tax deed surplus and court registry claims may need a judge's order. Go to 110 NW 1st Ave. in Ocala for in-person help. Have a W-9 ready for any payout from the Clerk's office in Marion County.

Note: You should never pay anyone to search for or claim unclaimed money in Marion County. The process is free.

Unclaimed Money Sources in Marion County

Where does unclaimed money in Marion County come from? Most of it starts with dormant bank accounts. Chapter 717 requires banks to report accounts that have been inactive for five years. Insurance companies do the same with unclaimed life insurance benefits, annuity payments, and premium refunds. Stocks, bonds, and dividends that go undelivered are reported too. Wages uncollected for more than one year become unclaimed property per Section 717.115.

Marion County also generates unclaimed money through local government and court activity. Tax deed sales create surplus when properties go for more than owed. Safe deposit box contents become unclaimed after three years under Section 717.116. Money orders have a seven-year dormancy period. Traveler's checks take 15 years. All these time frames come from state law and apply to Marion County just like every other county in Florida.

• Dormant bank accounts (5-year dormancy)
• Uncashed checks and wages (1-year dormancy)
• Insurance proceeds and annuities (5 years)
• Safe deposit box contents (3 years)
• Tax deed and foreclosure surplus (held locally first)
• Court registry deposits and cash bonds

Marion County Unclaimed Property Laws

Florida law protects your right to claim lost funds forever. There is no statute of limitations on unclaimed property in Marion County. The state acts as custodian, not owner, of your money. You or your heirs can step forward at any time. This is a core part of Chapter 717 and it applies to every dollar of unclaimed money from Marion County.

Unclaimed funds go into the State School Fund while they wait. That helps pay for public schools. But the full amount is always there for the rightful owner. Heirs of a deceased owner can claim by providing a certified death certificate and documentation proving their relationship. Section 717.124 covers how claims are reviewed. The administrative rules under 69G-20 spell out what heirs need to submit for Marion County claims and all others in the state.

You can reach the state Division of Unclaimed Property at 888-258-2253. Their email is FloridaUnclaimedProperty@MyFloridaCFO.com. The FAQ page at fltreasurehunt.gov answers most questions about Marion County unclaimed money.

The state search tool lets you look up unclaimed property tied to your name in Marion County and statewide.

This is the main entry point for all unclaimed money searches in Marion County and across the state of Florida.

Marion County Contact Information

Cities in Marion County

Marion County includes Ocala and a number of smaller communities. All unclaimed property routes through the Marion County Clerk of Courts at the local level. The state database covers all areas regardless of city.

Ocala is the county seat and the largest city in Marion County with about 63,000 people. Other communities include Belleview, Dunnellon, and Silver Springs Shores. None maintain separate unclaimed money programs. Everything goes through the Marion County Clerk or the state at fltreasurehunt.gov.

Nearby Counties

Marion County shares borders with several counties in north-central Florida. If you have lived or worked in any of these areas, search for unclaimed funds there as well. The state database covers every county in one search.