Thousands of Miami-Dade residents and local businesses may be entitled to dormant funds that companies transferred to Florida under Chapter 717 (Disposition of Unclaimed Property). These balances originate with banks, insurers, payroll departments, utilities, and brokerages and move to state custody after periods of inactivity. The goal: safeguard value until the rightful owner claims it.
What “unclaimed” means in Florida (plain English)
When a company can’t reach you and there’s no activity for a while, the account is flagged as dormant. Florida requires the company (the “holder”) to:
- make a good-faith attempt to contact you,
- report the account to the state, and
- deliver the funds (or proceeds, if liquidation is required by law).
Once reported, the Department of Financial Services (DFS) holds the money for you—there’s no expiration date on your right to claim it.
Note on crypto/virtual currency: Florida law requires holders to liquidate virtual currency and remit the cash proceeds to the state before reporting. Owners still recover the value—just in cash.
Why Miami-Dade has so many unclaimed accounts
- Mobility: People change apartments, jobs, and phone numbers frequently. Mail bounces; emails get ignored.
- Name changes: Marriage or legal name updates break the paper trail.
- Small balances: Many folks don’t realize even modest refunds, payroll stubs, or dividend fragments get swept into unclaimed property.
- Old addresses: Prior residences across Brickell, Little Havana, Doral, Kendall, Aventura, and the Beaches still anchor older records.
Starting your claim (Miami-Dade residents & businesses)
If you received a Reclaim.org notice or believe funds may be tied to a Miami-Dade address:
- Verify your notice
Enter the Asset ID in our 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 letter or the state portal to complete the submission.
- Track status
Keep an eye on updates and respond quickly to any follow-up requests to avoid delays.
What to expect after you file
- Initial review: DFS checks identity and basic details.
- Follow-ups (if any): You may be asked for clarifications—responding fast keeps things moving.
- Payment: Approved payments are issued directly by the State of Florida.
- Typical timing: Many straightforward claims finish within a few months once complete information is on file. Complex ownership (multiple owners, estates, trusts) can take longer.
Common hiccups—and how to avoid them
- Mismatched names/addresses: Make sure your current contact info is consistent across what you submit.
- Unreadable scans: Use clear, edge-to-edge photos of your ID and address proof.
- Missed communications: If you move or change email/phone, update your contact details promptly during the claim.
If you didn’t get a letter but want to check
You don’t need a mailed notice to reclaim funds. Review our Florida guides, then search using your legal name and any prior Miami-Dade addresses (old apartments, student housing, prior employers). Many successful claimants never received a letter—they simply checked.
Business owners & nonprofits (Miami-Dade)
Businesses also end up with unclaimed balances—closed accounts, vendor credits, premium refunds, or utility deposits that never found their way back during a move or rebrand. If you operate in Miami-Dade, it’s worth running a periodic search for your entity name.
Security & privacy basics
- Use official portals and our secure upload paths.
- Don’t send sensitive information over unencrypted email.
- We don’t request SSNs on the homepage.
Quick checklist (Miami-Dade edition)
- Do you recognize a prior address or employer in Miami-Dade?
- Do you have a current, valid photo ID?
- Can you show proof of current address (recent statement/utility bill)?
- Did you verify any letter via Asset ID in our portal?
If yes, you’re ready to start.
Next steps
- Have a letter? Verify your Asset ID in our portal and follow the on-screen steps.
- No letter? Use our Florida resources to understand the process, then search the official database for your name and previous Miami-Dade addresses.
