You can claim it yourself, no finder needed

Checklist: Florida, money left over after a tax-deed sale

Who holds it: Clerk of the circuit court (clerk and comptroller) in the county of the tax deed sale

How long: The clerk holds surplus 120 days from its mailed notice. Lienholders who miss the 120 days are barred; the owner is not. If no claims arrive, the titleholder is presumed entitled and the clerk handles the money under Florida's unclaimed property law (ch. 717).

How you claim: File the notarized surplus claim form with the clerk within 120 days of the clerk's notice, with a copy of the notice attached. Valid liens are paid before the former owner.

Your deadline: ____________ (confirm it with the clerk)

Steps

1. Watch for the clerk's 'Notice of Surplus Funds from Tax Deed Sale', which includes a claim form.
2. Complete the claim as titleholder, sign it before a notary or deputy clerk, and attach the notice.
3. File by mail, delivery, or fax or email if the clerk allows, within 120 days.
4. Within 90 days after the claim period, the clerk pays by priority or files an interpleader in court.

Documents

• Notarized claim to receive surplus proceeds (statutory form)
• Copy of the clerk's notice
• Government ID (Hillsborough requires a copy for titleholders)
• Heirs: probate order (e.g., summary administration)

What it costs you

Clerk service charges and mailing costs are deducted from the surplus

If someone offers to do it for you

• No fee limit was found in state law: read any offer closely.
• You never need to pay anyone to file.

Official links

• Fla. Stat. 197.582 (Florida Senate): https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2026/197.582
• Hillsborough Clerk - Tax deed sales and surplus claims: https://www.hillsclerk.com/taxdeeds