Martin County Unclaimed Money

Unclaimed money in Martin County waits for its rightful owners to come forward. This Treasure Coast county has about 166,000 people, and every year forgotten bank accounts, insurance payments, and uncashed checks add to the pool of lost funds. The Martin County Clerk of Courts in Stuart handles locally held surplus from court proceedings and tax sales. The state manages the broader unclaimed property database. Searching for unclaimed money from Martin County is free through both the state system and the local Clerk. Anyone can check in just a few minutes.

Search Martin County Unclaimed Property

The state database should be your first stop. Florida's Division of Unclaimed Property runs a free search at fltreasurehunt.gov. It covers all unclaimed money from Martin County and every other county in the state. Type your name. See if there is a match. The whole thing takes seconds. One in five Floridians finds something in this database, and Martin County contributes its share each year.

Try all versions of your name. Maiden names, prior married names, nicknames, and even common typos can all have unclaimed money attached in Martin County. Businesses that reported your account years ago used whatever name they had on file. A single letter off can bury a real claim. Search a few ways to make sure nothing slips through. The database includes bank accounts, stocks, insurance payouts, uncashed checks, refunds, utility deposits, and dividends reported under Chapter 717, Florida Statutes.

Check MissingMoney.com too. It searches multiple states at once and can find funds from places you used to live before moving to Martin County.

Note: You do not need to create an account or pay anything to search for Martin County unclaimed money through the state.

Martin County Clerk Unclaimed Funds

The Martin County Clerk of Courts keeps certain unclaimed funds at the local level in Stuart. Tax deed surplus is a primary source. When a property in Martin County goes to tax deed sale and sells for more than the amount owed, the extra money belongs to the former owner. If they don't step forward, the Clerk holds it. Foreclosure surplus from mortgage cases works the same way.

Court registry funds are another source of unclaimed money in Martin County. These are deposits made during civil lawsuits, bond money, and payments that parties never picked up after a case ended. Uncashed checks from jury payments, vendor services, and county refunds also get tracked. Under Section 116.21, the Martin County Clerk reports all unclaimed court-related money. After about one year, any unclaimed funds get sent to the state under Chapter 717. Check with the Clerk first for recent funds, then try the state database for older Martin County unclaimed property.

Here is the Martin County Clerk of Courts website where you can find information about unclaimed property and other services.

The Clerk in Stuart is the first place to check for locally held unclaimed funds in Martin County.

Claiming Unclaimed Money in Martin County

When you find a match, the next step is filing a claim. For unclaimed property held by the state, go to the fltreasurehunt.gov claim search and click on your account. The system generates a claim form with specific instructions for your situation. What you need to send depends on the type of unclaimed money and its value.

Every Martin County claim requires a government-issued photo ID with your current address. Driver's license works. If the address is outdated, include something recent like a utility bill. Beyond ID, you must prove that the account belongs to you. Having the same name is not proof. Many people share names, and the state gets competing claims on accounts from Martin County and everywhere else. Old bank statements, tax records, or letters from the holding company can help establish your ownership.

The state has up to 90 days to process a complete claim. Incomplete submissions take longer because they have to request the missing pieces from you. For funds held locally by the Martin County Clerk, contact them at (772) 288-5576 or visit 100 E. Ocean Blvd. in Stuart. Tax deed surplus and court registry claims may require a court motion. A W-9 form is required for all payouts.

Types of Lost Funds in Martin County

Unclaimed money in Martin County comes from many sources. Dormant bank accounts lead the way across Florida. Under Chapter 717, any bank account inactive for five years gets reported to the state. Insurance benefits, annuities, and premium refunds follow the same five-year rule. Uncashed payroll checks have a shorter window. Section 717.115 says wages become unclaimed after just one year.

Safe deposit box contents become unclaimed property after three years under Section 717.116. Money orders go dormant at seven years. Traveler's checks take the longest at 15 years. At the Martin County level, tax deed surplus and foreclosure surplus are the most common locally held funds. Court bonds and registry deposits from civil cases also end up unclaimed when parties fail to collect. All of these eventually move to the state system if nobody claims them from Martin County.

Note: There is no minimum amount for unclaimed property claims in Martin County or any part of Florida.

Martin County Unclaimed Property Rights

You can claim your unclaimed money from Martin County at any time. Florida has no deadline for claims. The state never takes legal ownership of your property. It holds everything as a custodian under the Florida Disposition of Unclaimed Property Act. Whether the money has sat for two years or thirty, your right to claim it stays the same in Martin County.

While unclaimed, these funds support public schools through the State School Fund. The original amount is always available for the owner, though. Interest is typically not paid unless the holding company reported it with the principal. If the original owner has died, heirs can claim by providing a certified death certificate and documentation of their relationship. Section 717.124 governs the review process. The administrative rules under 69G-20.0022 detail the requirements for heir claims. Contact the state at 888-258-2253 or email FloridaUnclaimedProperty@MyFloridaCFO.com for help with Martin County claims.

The Florida Treasure Hunt search page lets you look up unclaimed property from Martin County and all other Florida counties in one place.

Use this tool to search and file claims for unclaimed money from Martin County.

Martin County Resources

These offices handle unclaimed money questions for Martin County residents. The local Clerk deals with court-related funds and the state covers all other unclaimed property. Both are free services with no hidden fees.

The state FAQ page is a good resource for common questions about the unclaimed money claim process in Martin County.

Cities in Martin County

Martin County includes Stuart and several smaller communities along Florida's Treasure Coast. No cities in Martin County have separate unclaimed property programs. All funds go through the Martin County Clerk of Courts or the state system.

Stuart is the county seat. Other communities include Jensen Beach, Palm City, Indiantown, and Hobe Sound. Search for unclaimed money from any of these areas through the Martin County Clerk or at fltreasurehunt.gov.

Nearby Counties

Martin County borders these Florida counties. If you have lived in any nearby area, search for unclaimed funds there as well. The state database covers everything in one search, but local Clerk offices may hold newer funds.