You can claim it yourself, for free

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

Who holds it: The seller of the tax-deed property: usually the county that took the tax deed. A private tax-deed holder must also auction the property and follow the same rule.

How long: Returned to the prior owner of record. If that owner can't be found within 180 days, the money goes to the State Treasurer's Unclaimed Property Division.

How you claim: Contact the county where the property was auctioned and ask for the surplus as the prior owner of record. After 180 days, search and claim through the State Treasurer's unclaimed property site.

Your deadline: ____________ (confirm it with the clerk)

Steps

1. Check whether a tax deed was issued and the property was auctioned. Counties and private tax-deed holders must auction within 1 year of the deed.
2. Contact the county (treasurer/auditor) where it sold and give your current address as prior owner of record.
3. If 180 days have passed, search cash.sd.gov and file a claim with the State Treasurer.

Documents

• If the money was sent to the state: a signed claim form, a copy of your photo ID and your Social Security number

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

• SDCL 10-25-39 (surplus to prior owner): https://sdlegislature.gov/api/Statutes/10-25-39.html
• SDCL 10-25-39.1 (county must sell tax-deed land): https://sdlegislature.gov/api/Statutes/10-25-39.1.html
• SDCL 10-25-39.2 (private tax-deed holders must auction): https://sdlegislature.gov/api/Statutes/10-25-39.2.html
• SD unclaimed property search: https://cash.sd.gov/