Sumter County Unclaimed Money Search

Unclaimed money in Sumter County is managed by the Clerk of Courts in Bushnell and the Florida Department of Financial Services. Sumter County has grown to over 154,000 residents, driven largely by the growth of The Villages community. Many residents have unclaimed funds they do not know about. You can search the state database at FLTreasureHunt.gov at no cost. It is free to claim, and Florida law puts no time limit on collecting unclaimed money in Sumter County.

Sumter County Clerk of Courts

The Sumter County Clerk of Courts is at 215 E. McCollum Ave., Bushnell, FL 33513. Call (352) 569-6600 to reach the office. The Clerk manages court records, official records, and county finances. When it comes to unclaimed money, the Sumter County Clerk may hold court registry deposits, uncashed checks, cash bonds, and surplus from tax deed or foreclosure sales.

Many of the newer Sumter County residents came from other parts of the country. Some brought financial accounts they have since forgotten about. Others had dealings with Sumter County courts or county services that produced unclaimed money. The Clerk's office tracks all of these funds locally before they are sent to the state. Under Florida Statute 116.21, court-related unclaimed money must be reported and published each year.

The Sumter County Clerk website provides access to court records and financial data. Start there for any questions about locally held unclaimed funds. The office staff can help you figure out if the Clerk holds money in your name or if it has already been sent to the state.

Sumter County Unclaimed Property Online

The FLTreasureHunt.gov database is where most unclaimed money from Sumter County ends up. The Florida Department of Financial Services operates this portal. It holds billions of dollars in unclaimed property from all 67 Florida counties. You can search for free, 24 hours a day. One in five Floridians has unclaimed funds in the system. The average claim is worth over $2,000.

The types of unclaimed property in the database include dormant bank accounts, uncashed payroll checks, life insurance benefits, stocks, dividends, utility deposits, and safe deposit box contents. Chapter 717 of the Florida Statutes requires businesses to report accounts as unclaimed after a dormancy period. Section 717.102 sets the general rule at five years. Wages are one year under Section 717.115. Safe deposit contents use three years per Section 717.116.

Search all name variations. Many Sumter County residents are retirees who have used different names over the years. Try maiden names, former married names, and nicknames. Check close matches for misspellings.

Note: The state database covers all 67 Florida counties, so Sumter County funds that were transferred to the state will appear in this search.

How to Claim Sumter County Unclaimed Funds

Go to the FLTreasureHunt.gov search page and enter your name. If you find a match, follow the steps to start a claim. You need a government-issued photo ID and proof of ownership. Each claim form spells out the required documents. If your ID does not show your current address, add a utility bill or bank statement.

Many Sumter County claimants are retirees or heirs of deceased account holders. If the original owner has passed away, heirs must provide a certified death certificate along with their own ID. All heirs must sign the claim form. If the estate is still open, the personal representative can file. The state has 90 days to process a complete claim, though many finish sooner. Mail your forms to the Division of Unclaimed Property, P.O. Box 8599, Tallahassee, FL 32314-8599.

For money still held locally in Sumter County, call the Clerk at (352) 569-6600. Court registry deposits need a judge's order before the Clerk can release them. Other fund types require specific forms and identification.

Sumter County Unclaimed Money Under Florida Law

Florida Statute 116.21 applies to court-related unclaimed money held by the Sumter County Clerk. The Clerk must report funds from court activities that go unclaimed past the annual deadline. This covers jury payments, case refunds, and bond money. The Clerk publishes names and gives time for owners to come forward before sending the money to the state.

Chapter 717 covers all other unclaimed property in Sumter County. Section 717.106 sets a five-year dormancy for bank deposits. Section 717.107 covers life insurance at five years. Section 717.104 handles traveler's checks at 15 years and money orders at seven. Section 717.117 requires every holder to submit a report by May 1 each year. All of these rules apply to businesses and organizations in Sumter County.

The key protection is Section 717.129. There is no time limit on unclaimed property claims. No contract or court order can take away your right to collect. Your unclaimed money in Sumter County is always yours. And it costs nothing to search or file a claim under Florida law.

Search Multiple States from Sumter County

Sumter County has a large number of residents who moved from other states, especially to The Villages. If you lived somewhere else before, check MissingMoney.com to search multiple state databases at once. This is the official site of the National Association of State Treasurers. It covers nearly every state and some Canadian provinces.

Over $3 billion in claims were paid through this system in the last year. One in seven people has unclaimed money in some state. Enter your name and search everywhere you have lived, worked, or had a business. For Sumter County retirees who worked in other states for decades, this step could turn up significant unclaimed funds.

Florida Unclaimed Property Search Tool

The state search portal is the best way for Sumter County residents to find unclaimed money. Search by person or business name.

After finding a match, the site guides you through the claim process. Print the form, attach your documents, and mail to Tallahassee. For questions, email FloridaUnclaimedProperty@MyFloridaCFO.com or call the toll-free line at 888-258-2253.

Cities in Sumter County

Sumter County includes Bushnell, Wildwood, Webster, Center Hill, Coleman, and a large portion of The Villages. No cities in Sumter County meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page. All unclaimed money claims go through the Sumter County Clerk in Bushnell or the state database at FLTreasureHunt.gov.

The Villages spans parts of Sumter, Lake, and Marion counties. Residents of The Villages in the Sumter County portion should search through the Sumter County Clerk and the state database for unclaimed funds.

Nearby Counties

Sumter County borders several counties in Central Florida. Check these if you lived near the county line or have connections to neighboring areas.