Utah · money left over after a tax-deed sale

You can claim it yourself, for free

Who holds it

The county (auditor/treasurer) holds it for a short time, then sends it to the Utah State Treasurer's Unclaimed Property Division.

How long

Varies by county, about 90 days. Salt Lake County: 90 days after the tax sale. Utah County: at least 90 days after the bid is ratified. Then it goes to the State Treasurer.

How you claim

Contact the county right after the May tax sale. Some counties, such as Utah County, require a district court petition within the 90 days. After that, claim from the State Treasurer at mycash.utah.gov.

If someone offers to do it for you

There may be a fee limit: ask the clerk.
Any deal must be in writing and notarised.
You never need to pay anyone to file.

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

Who holds it: The county (auditor/treasurer) holds it for a short time, then sends it to the Utah State Treasurer's Unclaimed Property Division.

How long: Varies by county, about 90 days. Salt Lake County: 90 days after the tax sale. Utah County: at least 90 days after the bid is ratified. Then it goes to the State Treasurer.

How you claim: Contact the county right after the May tax sale. Some counties, such as Utah County, require a district court petition within the 90 days. After that, claim from the State Treasurer at mycash.utah.gov.

Your deadline: ____________ (confirm it with the clerk)

Steps

Check the county's excess-funds list for the parcel (Salt Lake County posts lists by year).
Contact the county auditor/treasurer quickly. In Utah County, file a petition in Fourth District Court and give written notice to County Tax Administration within 90 days after ratification.
Give the county the signed court order saying who gets the funds (Utah County).
If the 90 days have passed, search and claim at mycash.utah.gov.

Documents

Utah County: petition filed in Fourth District Court
Utah County: written notice of intent to claim, with a copy of the petition
Utah County: signed court order directing payment

What it costs you

Not researched yet — ask the clerk

If someone offers to do it for you

There may be a fee limit: ask the clerk.
Any deal must be in writing and notarised.
You never need to pay anyone to file.

Official links

Utah Code 59-2-1351.1 (excess treated as unclaimed property): https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title59/Chapter2/59-2-S1351.1.html
Utah County Auditor: Excess Funds: https://auditor.utahcounty.gov/may-tax-sale/excess-funds
Salt Lake County Treasurer: Find Excess Funds: https://saltlakecounty.gov/treasurer/refunds--excess-funds/find-excess-funds
Utah unclaimed property (MyCash): https://mycash.utah.gov/

Source: Utah Code § 59-2-1351.1(7); Utah Code Title 67, Ch. 4a; Utah Code §59-2-1351.1(2); Utah Code §59-2-1351.5(1)(d)(iv); Utah Admin. Code R884-24P-55; Utah Admin. Code R966-1-37; Utah Code §67-4a-1302(1). Researched, not yet checked by a lawyer; confirm with the clerk. Not legal advice.