Public Notice on Unclaimed Money — Florida Chapter 717
Summary
Miami-Dade County has a significant volume of unclaimed money connected to local addresses. These balances originate with companies (banks, insurers, payroll departments, utilities, brokerages) and are transferred to the State of Florida under Chapter 717 after periods of inactivity, outdated contact details, or returned mail. Eligible residents and businesses can recover these funds by verifying identity and completing the state’s claim process.
Key Signals (What we’re seeing)
- A large pool of dormant accounts tied to Miami-Dade, refreshed as companies report new items and older claims get paid.
- Wide balance spectrum—from small refunds to substantial amounts (payroll, insurance proceeds, bank/credit balances, stocks and dividends).
- Miami-Dade consistently ranks among Florida’s largest concentrations due to population size, mobility, and business activity.
Exact counts fluctuate month to month as holders report and the state issues payments.
Geographic Impact (County-wide)
Unclaimed money appears across the county, with frequent matches in Miami, Hialeah, Miami Gardens, Doral, Coral Gables, North Miami, Homestead, Aventura, Kendall, and neighboring communities. Many records are linked to prior residences, former employers, closed accounts, and returned-mail situations.
Who May Be Affected
You’re more likely to have a match if you:
- Moved or changed jobs within the last few years.
- Changed your legal name (marriage or court order).
- Never received a refund check, payroll check, insurance payment, or dividend.
- Operate(d) a business or nonprofit anywhere in Miami-Dade.
- Are an heir or beneficiary of a deceased relative with Florida ties.
Florida Reporting Protocol (Plain English)
Under Chapter 717 (Disposition of Unclaimed Property), when a company can’t reach you and no activity is recorded for the dormancy period, the company must:
- Attempt to contact you (due-diligence notice),
- Report the dormant account to Florida’s Department of Financial Services (DFS), and
- Deliver the funds or proceeds to the state for safekeeping.
Note on virtual currency: Florida requires holders to liquidate virtual currency and remit the cash proceeds with the report. Owners later recover the value in cash through the state.
Claim Eligibility Indicators
You may be eligible if:
- You received a Reclaim.org letter referencing a Miami-Dade address (verify it using the Asset ID in our portal), or
- You’ve lived, worked, or maintained a business address in Miami-Dade and suspect an old account went inactive.
Eligibility is confirmed by matching your identity to the reported record.
How to Begin (Residents & Businesses)
- Verify any letter
Enter your Asset ID in the Reclaim.org portal to confirm authenticity.
- Gather documents
Have a government-issued ID and proof of current address ready.
- Submit securely
Follow the instructions in your verified Reclaim.org letter or complete filing through the state portal.
- Track status
Watch for any follow-up requests and respond promptly to avoid delays.
Payments are issued directly by the State of Florida once a claim is approved.
Typical Timing
Many straightforward claims complete in a few months once complete information is on file.
Cases involving multiple owners, trusts/estates, or older records may require extra verification and more time.
For Further Review (Official Resources)
- Florida DFS — Unclaimed Property (program overview)
- Florida’s official search portal (“Treasure Hunt”)
- Florida Statutes, Chapter 717 (Disposition of Unclaimed Property)
Next Steps
- Have a letter? Verify your Asset ID in our portal and follow the on-screen steps.
- No letter yet? Review our Florida guides and use the official state search to check your name and any prior Miami-Dade addresses.
