Pinellas County Unclaimed Money Search

Pinellas County holds unclaimed money from court cases, uncashed checks, and county operations. With nearly a million residents in the Clearwater and St. Petersburg area, a lot of funds go uncollected each year. The Pinellas Clerk of Courts and Comptroller keeps a list of people and businesses with unclaimed checks from county and court activities. You can search for unclaimed money in Pinellas County at no cost through the clerk's website or the state's FLTreasureHunt.gov database. A quick search could put money back in your pocket.

Pinellas County Clerk of Courts

The Pinellas County Clerk of Courts and Comptroller manages local unclaimed money. The main office is at 315 Court Street in Clearwater. You can reach them at (727) 464-7000. The clerk handles unclaimed checks from both county operations and court activities. People and businesses that have uncashed checks from the clerk's office may have unclaimed funds waiting in Pinellas County.

The clerk's website gives access to court records, recording services, and financial information for Pinellas County. From the homepage you can find the unclaimed monies section which lists all the types of funds the clerk holds.

Note: Keep your address up to date with the Pinellas Clerk's office and the U.S. Postal Service to avoid having your checks go unclaimed.

Types of Pinellas County Unclaimed Funds

The Pinellas Clerk holds several categories of unclaimed money. Each type comes from a different source and falls under a different Florida statute. Understanding which category applies to your situation helps you know where to start your search and what to expect when filing a claim in Pinellas County.

The Pinellas County Unclaimed Monies page lists the specific fund types. Under Florida Statute 116.21, the clerk holds unclaimed monies from court-related activities. These are checks issued for refunds, overpayments, or other court transactions that went uncashed. Florida Statute 733.816 covers unclaimed funds held by a personal representative in a probate case. If an estate in Pinellas County could not find an heir, the money may sit with the clerk. Statute 744.534 handles funds held by a guardian that could not be distributed.

Probate court registry funds are another category. Money deposited with the Pinellas County court during probate proceedings can become unclaimed if no one comes forward to collect it. Mortgage foreclosure monies under Florida Statute 45.032 make up a large share of unclaimed funds in Pinellas County. When a foreclosed property sells for more than the debt, the surplus goes to the court registry. Finally, Chapter 717, Florida Statutes, governs the general unclaimed property rules that apply to all types of funds after they are sent to the state from Pinellas County.

Avoid Losing Funds in Pinellas County

The Pinellas Clerk offers tips on how to keep your money from becoming unclaimed. The biggest thing is to keep your address current. If the clerk mails you a check and it comes back, that money starts the path to becoming unclaimed property. Make sure the U.S. Postal Service has your current address. Also update your address with the Pinellas Clerk's office if you move.

If money was deposited in a court case where you are a party, get an order to disburse those funds before the case closes. Include the disbursement order in your final judgment. Follow up on any motions you file asking for money. Check that the hearing was set and that all steps were done right. For child support cases in Pinellas County, make sure the clerk has your current address on file so payments reach you. If you hold a monetary judgment against someone in a civil case, you can re-record that judgment along with an affidavit of your current address if you move.

These steps are simple but they prevent a lot of headaches. Money that becomes unclaimed in Pinellas County eventually goes to the state, and getting it back from there takes more effort than just cashing a check on time.

Florida Unclaimed Property Database

The state database at FLTreasureHunt.gov holds all unclaimed property that has been sent from Pinellas County and the rest of Florida to the Department of Financial Services. This includes funds from banks, insurance companies, employers, utilities, and county governments. Under Florida Statute 717.102, most property becomes unclaimed after five years of inactivity. Wages under Statute 717.115 go unclaimed after just one year. Safe deposit box contents under Statute 717.116 become unclaimed after three years.

Search the state database at FLTreasureHunt.gov/ClaimSearch using your name. Try all versions of your name, including maiden names and nicknames. One in five people in Florida has unclaimed funds in this system. The search takes just a few minutes and costs nothing. If you find money tied to Pinellas County, you can start a claim online right away.

Claim Unclaimed Money in Pinellas County

To claim funds still held by the Pinellas Clerk, you will need to contact the clerk's office in Clearwater. For court registry funds, a motion and court order are usually required. The judge must approve the release of funds before the clerk can send you a check. For simpler claims like uncashed refund checks, the process may be more direct.

For funds that have already gone to the state, use the online claim process at FLTreasureHunt.gov. You will need a government photo ID, proof of ownership, and a signed claim form. If the original owner is deceased, you need a certified death certificate and documents showing you are an heir. The state processes claims within 90 days of getting a complete package. Many go faster than that. There is no fee to claim your money, and there is no deadline. Florida does not have a statute of limitations on unclaimed property claims.

You can also call the state toll-free at 888-258-2253. For Pinellas County local claims, call the clerk at (727) 464-7000. Either way, the search and claim process is free.

Note: For child support disbursements in Pinellas County, make sure the clerk has your correct address to prevent funds from going unclaimed.

Statewide Search Resources

The Florida Treasure Hunt website is the central hub for all unclaimed property searches in the state, including funds from Pinellas County businesses and government agencies.

This search tool covers accounts from all 67 Florida counties. Billions of dollars sit in this database. The Division of Unclaimed Property in Tallahassee manages the program and holds the funds until the rightful owner or their heirs come forward to claim them.

Cities in Pinellas County

Pinellas County has many cities and towns packed into a relatively small area. All of them fall under the Pinellas Clerk of Courts for local unclaimed funds. If you lived in any Pinellas County community, search for unclaimed money using your name and past addresses.

Other communities in Pinellas County include Safety Harbor, Oldsmar, Belleair, Seminole, Indian Rocks Beach, and Treasure Island. Residents of these areas should also check for unclaimed money through the Pinellas Clerk and the state database.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Pinellas County. Search for unclaimed money in any county where you have lived or worked. The funds stay with the location of the company or agency that held them.