You can claim it yourself, no finder needed

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

Who holds it: Clerk of the Superior Court (the sheriff deposits the surplus after a court-ordered sheriff's sale or online auction)

How long: You must ask for a sheriff's sale before final judgment; any surplus is then held by the Superior Court until claimed by motion

How you claim: In the tax lien foreclosure, send the Superior Court a written demand, before final judgment, for a sheriff's sale or sheriff's online auction. Surplus is deposited with the court clerk, and you claim it by motion. If no sale is demanded before final judgment, you have no claim to the equity, and if no one bids at the sale, the law presumes there is no equity.

Your deadline: ____________ (confirm it with the clerk)

Steps

1. Read the bold notice in the foreclosure complaint about your right to demand a sale
2. Before final judgment, file a written demand with the Superior Court for a sheriff's sale or online auction
3. After the sale, check whether surplus was deposited with the Superior Court clerk
4. File a motion for the surplus funds in that case

Documents

• Written demand for a sheriff's sale or auction
• Motion for surplus funds
• Proof you are the owner or heir

What it costs you

$50 court motion fee; the certificate holder may take 10% of the surplus (up to $5,000) plus unpaid costs

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

• P.L.2024, c.39 (Tax Sale Law amendments): https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/AL24/39_.HTM
• NJ Courts: Office of Foreclosure motion packet ($50 fee): https://www.njcourts.gov/sites/default/files/forms/11901_notice_foreclosure_office_forclosure.pdf