Unclaimed Money in Florida
Search Florida unclaimed property — also called missing money — for free. Florida holds it indefinitely until you or your heirs claim it.
How Florida's unclaimed property works
When a business in Florida can't reach you to return money — an uncashed paycheck, a forgotten checking account, a security deposit — state law requires them to turn it over to the state's unclaimed property division after a dormancy period. The money sits there indefinitely, waiting for you (or your heirs) to claim it.
What makes Florida different
Florida holds one of the largest unclaimed property pools in the country, driven by three structural factors: a massive retiree population that turns over (and dies) at high rates, the country's largest snowbird inflow, and the state's enormous insurance and annuity footprint. The Department of Financial Services regulates finders tightly — they must be registered, the contract must be on a state-approved form, fees are capped at 20%, and any contract signed within 24 months of the property being reported is void. Hurricane-related insurance proceeds, including Citizens Property Insurance refunds, regularly surface on the rolls.
Florida's law and holding agency
- Holding agency
- Florida Department of Financial Services, Bureau of Unclaimed Property
- Governing statute
- Florida Disposition of Unclaimed Property Act — Fla. Stat. ch. 717
- General dormancy period
- 5 years for most property; 1 year for wages
- Wages: 1 year
- Utility deposits: 1 year
- Demutualization proceeds: 2.5 years
- Securities: 3 years
Finder fees and recovery services in Florida
You never need to pay anyone to claim your own money in Florida — the state returns it directly through the official portal above. But for complex claims (heir property, multi-state, dissolved entities), some people hire a state-licensed recovery service. Florida's rules:
- Finder fee cap: 20% maximum, and no finder agreement is enforceable for property reported to the state within the prior 24 months
- Regulation: Finders ('claimants' representatives') must register with the Department of Financial Services and use a state-approved contract.
What gets reported in Florida
- Uncashed paychecks from Florida employers
- Dormant bank and credit-union accounts
- Insurance policy proceeds (life, auto, health refunds)
- Utility deposits when you moved out of Florida
- Security deposits from rentals
- Stocks, dividends, and brokerage account proceeds
- Court-ordered restitution and refunds
How to file your claim
- Search. Use our free search above, or go directly to the Florida database: www.fltreasurehunt.gov.
- File the claim form. Most Floridaclaims are filed online with name, address, and proof of identity (driver's license or passport).
- Provide proof of ownership. For accounts at old addresses, you may need utility bills, lease records, or pay stubs from the matching period.
- Notarize if required. Some Florida claims need a notarized signature. Online notaries run $5–$25.
- Wait for review. Florida typically takes 30–180 days to review and pay valid claims. Payment is by check or ACH directly from the state.
Frequently asked questions about Florida unclaimed property
Yes. Florida returns your money directly. There is no fee to file or claim through the official portal.
Indefinitely. Florida, like most states, does not extinguish valid claims — the money waits for you or your heirs as long as it takes.
Yes. You'll need a death certificate, proof of relationship, and (often) probate documents from Florida or the state of residence. Heir claims are higher-value but more paperwork — consider a state-licensed recovery service for complex cases.
20% maximum, and any finder agreement signed within 24 months of the property being reported to the state is unenforceable. Finders also have to be registered with the Department of Financial Services and use a state-approved contract.
Florida's retiree population means an unusually high volume of life insurance proceeds, annuities, brokerage assets, and final paychecks end up unclaimed when the policyholder dies and the beneficiary either can't be located or doesn't know the policy existed.
Related guides
- Are unclaimed money finders legit? When the fee is worth it
- How to find out if a deceased parent had life insurance
- Unclaimed money finder fee caps by state: the complete table