You can claim it yourself, for free

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

Who holds it: Clerk of the circuit court where the tax-sale lawsuit was filed

How long: 2 years after the court confirms the sale. Then the clerk pays it to the county, city or town.

How you claim: File a claim in the circuit court tax-sale case proving you are the former owner, heir or successor. The court may send the question to a commissioner in chancery.

Your deadline: ____________ (confirm it with the clerk)

Steps

1. Get the case number and confirmation date from the circuit court clerk.
2. File a claim for the surplus in that case within 2 years of confirmation.
3. Prove your entitlement (the burden is on you).
4. If you missed the 2 years, you may ask the locality's governing body for relief. This is discretionary and done by ordinance.

Documents

• Claim filed in the circuit court case
• Proof you are the former owner, heir, devisee or successor

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

• Va. Code § 58.1-3967 (surplus from tax sales): https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title58.1/chapter39/section58.1-3967/