You can claim it yourself, for free

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

Who holds it: Oregon State Treasury, Unclaimed Property Program. Counties must send tax-foreclosure surplus there

How long: No deadline. It can be claimed forever by the owner or heirs

How you claim: File a claim with the Oregon State Treasury Unclaimed Property Program at unclaimed.oregon.gov. It is free. If your name is not listed yet, mail in the pending claim form. This covers properties foreclosed on or after May 25, 2023; earlier foreclosures are not covered.

Your deadline: ____________ (confirm it with the clerk)

Steps

1. Watch for the county's notice of surplus. It must be sent within 60 days after a claim could arise
2. The county sets the surplus within 60 days of the sale and sends it to Treasury within 30 days after that
3. Search unclaimed.oregon.gov and file a claim, uploading your documents
4. If you are not listed yet, complete the pending claim form and mail it to Treasury

Documents

• Government-issued photo ID
• Proof of current mailing address
• Proof of the property address
• Proof of Social Security number
• Heirs: death certificate, will if any, and the other items listed in ORS 312.540(3)

What it costs you

free

If someone offers to do it for you

• A finder who charges you may need to be a licensed private investigator: ask the clerk.
• Fee limits: Not researched yet — ask the clerk.
• Any deal must be in writing and notarised.
• You never need to pay anyone to file.

Official links

• Oregon Treasury: Foreclosure Surplus FAQ: https://unclaimed.oregon.gov/app/foreclosuresurplus/faq
• ORS chapter 312 (see ORS 312.500 to 312.560): https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/ors/ors312.html
• Oregon Unclaimed Property: https://unclaimed.oregon.gov/