Farmington Hills Unclaimed Money Search
Farmington Hills residents may have unclaimed money held by Michigan Treasury, Oakland County, or the city itself. Sources include dormant bank accounts, insurance payouts, old utility deposits, and forgotten refund checks. This page covers each one and tells you how to search and file a claim.
Farmington Hills Overview
Michigan State Unclaimed Property
Michigan Treasury holds unclaimed funds reported by banks, insurance companies, employers, and other businesses that lose contact with account holders. The money stays on file with no expiration. The search is free. No account needed. Michigan has returned more than $675 million to residents and still holds more waiting to be claimed.
Search the free database at unclaimedproperty.michigan.gov. Enter your full legal name or a business name to search. Try maiden names, old addresses, and alternate spellings to be thorough. You can also search for deceased family members.
If you find a match, file a claim online or by mail. For questions, call (517) 636-5320 or email TreasUPD@michigan.gov. Most claims are processed within 60 to 90 days.
The state database is updated as new property is reported. Running a search once a year takes just a few minutes and can turn up funds you did not know were there.
Farmington Hills Treasury Division
The City of Farmington Hills Treasury Division handles all property tax billing and collection. The city does not levy a local income tax, so property taxes are the main local obligation for residents. If you have a question about a tax balance, a credit, or a refund on your account, the Treasury Division is the right office to contact.
| Department | Treasury Division |
|---|---|
| Address | 31555 W 11 Mile Rd, Farmington Hills, MI 48336 |
| Phone | (248) 871-2480 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Website | fhgov.com |
If you believe the city holds an overpayment or credit on your account, call (248) 871-2480 during business hours. Staff can pull your account and review any balances owed back to you.
For general city services and other departments, the main city site at fhgov.com has a full directory. Most forms and payment options are available there as well.
Farmington Hills does not have local images available for this page. Use the state database and county resources below as your primary search tools.
Oakland County Treasurer
Delinquent property tax accounts in Farmington Hills are forwarded to Oakland County each year on March 1. Oakland County Treasurer Robert Wittenberg then manages collection. The county has options for property owners facing hardship, including payment plans. Acting early is always better when dealing with past-due taxes.
| Office | Oakland County Treasurer |
|---|---|
| Treasurer | Robert Wittenberg |
| Phone | 248.858.0611 |
| Address | 1200 N Telegraph Rd, Dept 479, Pontiac, MI 48341 |
| Website | oakgov.com |
See the Oakland County unclaimed money page for more on county-level tax resources.
Tax Foreclosure Surplus Funds
Oakland County was the defendant in the landmark 2020 Michigan Supreme Court case Rafaeli v. Oakland County. That ruling established that property owners are entitled to any surplus proceeds when a foreclosed property sells for more than the taxes owed. The ruling applies statewide, and Oakland County uses the standard MCL 211.78t process.
If Oakland County forecloses on a Farmington Hills property and sells it at auction for more than the debt, the prior owner can claim the difference. File Form 5743 (Motion to Claim Remaining Proceeds) with the Oakland County Circuit Court. The filing deadline is July 1 of the year after the foreclosure sale.
That July 1 date is a hard cutoff. After that, your right to claim the surplus is gone. Gather the parcel number, proof of prior ownership, and the sale details before you file. Michigan Legal Help has a step-by-step guide for this process at no cost.
This uses Form 5743 with a July 1 deadline. Do not confuse it with Wayne County's Form 6156 process, which has different deadlines and requirements.
Michigan Tax Foreclosure Timeline
Michigan's three-year delinquency and foreclosure process works the same in Farmington Hills as it does across the rest of Oakland County.
| Stage | When | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Delinquent | March 1, Year 1 | Unpaid taxes move to county. A 4% penalty plus 1% per month starts. |
| Forfeiture | March 1, Year 2 | Property forfeited to county. Additional fees apply. Owner can still redeem. |
| Foreclosure | April 1, Year 3 | Title moves to county. Right to redeem ends. Property may go to auction. |
Once a property sells at auction, the surplus claim window opens. File Form 5743 before July 1 of that year. Do not wait.
Legal Aid Resources
Farmington Hills residents have access to free legal resources for unclaimed property and tax foreclosure matters.
Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org provides self-help tools and plain-language guides for surplus claims and foreclosure defense. Free to use.
State Bar Lawyer Referral connects you with a local attorney. Call (800) 968-0738 or visit lrs.michbar.org. First consultations are typically low cost.
Michigan Homeowner Assistance Fund (MIHAF) assists homeowners at risk of foreclosure. Check eligibility at michigan.gov/mihaf.
Oakland County's role in the Rafaeli case means residents there have some of the clearest legal standing in the state for surplus fund claims. Know your rights and act before the July 1 deadline.