You can claim it yourself, for free

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

Who holds it: The county that held the tax sale (on Kauai: Department of Finance, Real Property Tax Collection)

How long: Not researched yet — ask the clerk

How you claim: File a sworn, notarized claim for the surplus with the county that sold the property. Say how much you claim and why you are entitled to it.

Your deadline: ____________ (confirm it with the clerk)

Steps

1. Find the property's tax map key (TMK) and the tax sale date.
2. Get the county's surplus claim form (Kauai: the Claim for Surplus Funds form from the Department of Finance).
3. Fill in the amount or share you claim and the reason, then sign it in front of a notary.
4. File it with the county's real property tax office and wait for its decision.

Documents

• Notarized claim form
• Tax map key number and tax sale date
• A statement of why you are entitled to the surplus

What it costs you

Not researched yet — ask the clerk

If someone offers to do it for you

• Fee limits: Not researched yet — ask the clerk.
• You never need to pay anyone to file.

Official links

• County of Kauai – Claim for Surplus Funds form: https://www.kauai.gov/files/assets/public/v/1/finance/documents/surplus-claim-form.pdf