Join Florida's Treasure Hunt

After an account is considered abandoned from one to five years, financial institutions are required by law to turn it over to the Department of Financial Services’ Division of Unclaimed Property.

• Holds the property in an account benefiting Florida’s public schools while waiting for the owner or heir to claim it
• Attempts to find the rightful owner(s) or heir(s)
• Returns the property

If the Division cannot find the owner of a physical item after two years, then it’s auctioned off at the Division's yearly auction. If the property owner comes forward after the auction, then he or she will receive the proceeds.

The Division’s services are free. There is no cost to retrieve your property through the Division of Unclaimed Property. It’s your money not the state’s. All you have to do is contact the Division and provide the documentation needed to determine you are the owner or rightful heir. In addition, you have the right to retrieve your property forever. There is no time limit to make a request.

If you received a letter from the State of Florida, signed by Jimmy Patronis, Chief Financial Officer, informing you the state is holding money belonging to you, it’s an official mailing from the Division. View an example of an Unclaimed Property Letter | Search for your unclaimed property

If a private company contacts you indicating you have unclaimed funds and they offer to help claim them for a fee, this is legal. Florida law allows Florida licensed private investigators, CPAs and attorneys to register with the Division as claimant's representatives. These firms have access to the Division’s records and frequently contact account owners, or their heirs, soliciting contracts to assist in recovering the property for a fee.
View a list of firms currently registered with the Division

Please note, it isn’t necessary to hire one of these firms in order to claim your funds. You can claim the money on your own, directly from the Division, free of charge.
Search the unclaimed property database

Follow the steps below to reclaim your property. For additional details, please check out our FAQ's page.

1. Begin by searching the Unclaimed Property Database.
2. Find your name and identify the property you intend to reclaim.
3. Read the claim form carefully and completely fill it out.
4. Include any additional documentation the claim form asks for (not doing this will slow down the claims process).
5. Allow the Division up to 90 days to make a determination and return your property.

Yes, claiming your property through the Department of Financial Services’ Division of Unclaimed Property is safe. As a state agency, the department is the only organization in Florida that can legally collect, store and return unclaimed property. Additionally, the department does not give any personal data you provide to other businesses or individuals. Lastly, because this service is free, the Department does not require you to provide any kind of fee to return your property. It belongs to you.

* For more information about the laws surrounding unclaimed property in Florida, please see Chapter 717, Florida Statutes.