Florida holds more than $2 billion in unclaimed money, and the state says roughly one in five residents has some of it. You search and claim it for free at FLTreasureHunt.gov, the official Florida Department of Financial Services site, and a complete claim must be paid or denied within 90 days under state law.
Quick steps: claim unclaimed money in Florida
- Go to FLTreasureHunt.gov and choose the property search.
- Search your first and last name, then maiden and misspelled versions.
- Check every city you have lived in, including out-of-state ones.
- Select each matching account and start a claim.
- Upload a photo ID, proof of Social Security number and address proof.
- Submit, save the claim number, and track it under “Was my claim received?”
What you need
- Government photo ID (Florida driver license works)
- Proof of Social Security number (card, W-2 or 1099)
- Proof you lived at the address on record (old bill, lease, tax return)
- Death certificate and will or letters of administration for an heir claim
- Sunbiz printout showing you are an officer for a business claim
Step 1: Search the state database
Florida’s Division of Unclaimed Property, part of the Department of Financial Services, runs the only official state database. The branding is “Claim Your Cash,” but the site is FLTreasureHunt.gov. Anything else charging to “find your money” is a middleman.
Start with your first and last name, then narrow the results if the list is long. Results list the owner name, last known city, the holder (bank, insurer, employer) and a value range rather than an exact amount. Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach consistently account for the biggest share of accounts because banks, insurers and employers report property to the owner’s last address.
Try every name you have used. Shortened first names, a missing middle initial and a transposed letter all create separate records.
Step 2: Understand what shows up and why
Holders must turn money over to the state after a dormancy period set in Chapter 717 of the Florida Statutes. The state keeps it indefinitely, so a 1998 deposit is still claimable.
| Property type | Dormancy before it goes to the state |
|---|---|
| Unpaid wages and payroll checks | 1 year |
| Utility deposits and refunds | 1 year |
| Stocks and dividends | 3 years |
| Safe deposit box contents | 3 years |
| Bank and credit union accounts | 5 years |
| Life insurance proceeds | 5 years |
| Money orders | 7 years |
| Traveler’s checks | 15 years |
Typical South Florida finds: FPL and city water deposits from a first apartment, final paychecks from a restaurant job, condo association refunds, and life insurance payouts an insurer could not deliver after a relative died.
Step 3: File the claim
Click the record, confirm it is yours and the system builds a claim form. You can file multiple accounts in one claim. Upload documents directly, or print the form and mail it to the Division of Unclaimed Property in Tallahassee at the address printed on the form.
For a deceased relative, you file as an heir and attach the death certificate plus proof of your relationship or estate authority. For a dissolved company, run a “sunbiz search” to print the record showing you as an officer or registered agent before you file.
Good to know
There is never a fee to claim. Letters offering to recover your money for a cut are legal in Florida but total fees and costs are capped at 30 percent, and you can do the same search yourself in two minutes.
Step 4: Track it and get paid
Save the claim number. The “Was Your Claim Received?” tool on the official site shows whether the claim is pending, needs documents or has been approved. Florida law gives the department 90 days from a complete claim to approve or deny it. Missing paperwork restarts that clock, so answer any request letter quickly. Payment comes by check to the address on your claim.
Local tip
There is no walk-in unclaimed property office in Miami-Dade, Broward or Palm Beach. The CFO’s office does run periodic claim events at malls and festivals around South Florida where staff file claims on the spot. Check the news section of FLTreasureHunt.gov for upcoming dates.
Search other databases too
The state site only holds property reported to Florida. Federal money and court funds sit elsewhere.
| Source | What it holds | Where to search |
|---|---|---|
| MissingMoney.com | Other states’ unclaimed property | NAUPA-endorsed multi-state site |
| IRS | Undelivered tax refunds | “Where’s My Refund” at IRS.gov |
| PBGC | Lost pensions from closed plans | PBGC.gov unclaimed pensions |
| FDIC | Deposits from failed banks | FDIC.gov unclaimed funds |
| U.S. Treasury | Matured savings bonds | TreasuryHunt at TreasuryDirect.gov |
| County clerks | Court-held cash, tax deed surplus | Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach clerk sites |
Common problems
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| No results under your name | Search maiden names, prior spouses, initials and business names |
| Address on record is one you cannot prove | Use an old tax return, bank statement or FPL bill from that address |
| Claim needs a notary | Most Broward and Palm Beach library branches and UPS stores offer notary service for a small fee |
| Record is for a deceased parent | File as heir with death certificate and estate documents |
| Status stuck past 90 days | Call the division and quote your claim number |
When to get help
Call the Florida Department of Financial Services unclaimed property line at 1-888-258-2253 on weekdays during business hours (confirm current hours on the official site) if a claim is stalled or you were asked for documents you cannot produce. For contested estates or business claims above a few thousand dollars, a probate attorney is worth a consultation.
FAQ
Does Florida charge to claim unclaimed money?
No. Searching and claiming through the official state site is free. Only private “finders” charge, and Florida Statute 717.135 caps their total fees and costs at 30 percent of the claimed amount, with the base recovery fee limited to 20 percent for property held by the state under 24 months.
How long does Florida take to pay a claim?
The department must approve or deny a complete claim within 90 days. Simple claims with clean documents often pay faster.
Is there a deadline to claim?
No. Florida holds unclaimed property until the rightful owner or heir claims it, however old it is.
Can I claim money for a relative who died?
Yes. File as an heir with the death certificate and proof of your right to the estate, such as a will or letters of administration.
Why would I have unclaimed money in Florida?
Moving without updating an address is the usual cause. Deposits, final paychecks, refunds and insurance payouts mailed to an old Miami, Fort Lauderdale or West Palm Beach address end up with the state once the dormancy period passes.
