You can claim it yourself, no finder needed

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

Who holds it: Clerk of the court that issued the writ for the foreclosure sale. If no one claims it, it moves to the county treasurer

How long: After the clerk's final notice, you have 90 days to claim from the clerk. The county treasurer then holds it 3 years from receipt, after which it is forfeited to a county fund

How you claim: Ask the clerk of courts in the county of sale to pay the balance owed to you. If it has already moved to the county treasury, demand it from the county treasurer within 3 years. This covers tax foreclosure sales; a transfer to a city, county or land bank without a sale (ORC 323.78) follows that section's own rules.

Your deadline: ____________ (confirm it with the clerk)

Steps

1. Watch for the clerk's notice of money left over from the tax foreclosure sale
2. Contact the clerk of courts and ask for payment of the balance
3. If 90 days have passed since the final notice, contact the county treasurer
4. Make your demand within 3 years of the treasurer receiving the money

Documents

Not researched yet — ask the clerk

What it costs you

The clerk may first collect the actual cost of sending the notice

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

• Ohio Rev. Code 5721.20 (excess foreclosure proceeds): https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-5721.20
• Ohio Rev. Code 2329.44 (notice to owner; payment on demand): https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-2329.44