Find Alpena County Unclaimed Money

Alpena County residents looking for unclaimed money have two main paths: the free Michigan Department of Treasury search and the tax foreclosure surplus claim process managed by the county treasurer's office. Treasurer Cindy Cebula, who took office in January 2025, oversees all delinquent tax collection, foreclosures, and the county land bank for this northeastern Lake Huron county.

Michigan Unclaimed Property Database

The Michigan Department of Treasury's free unclaimed property search is at unclaimedproperty.michigan.gov. Search your name at no cost. The state holds dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks, forgotten deposits, insurance proceeds, and other abandoned assets. Michigan returned over $675 million in the last five years. There is no deadline for most claims. You can also search on behalf of a deceased family member.

For help with a claim or to ask about a search result, contact the Treasury at (517) 636-5320 or TreasUPD@michigan.gov. The Alpena County government site at alpenacounty.org can help you find the treasurer and other local offices.

The county image below links to the Alpena County main site, which lists all county departments and contacts.

The site provides direct links to the treasurer's office, county land bank information, and other services relevant to unclaimed money and tax records.

Treasurer Cindy Cebula and County Land Bank

Cindy Cebula was sworn in as Alpena County Treasurer in January 2025. Her oath was administered by 26th Circuit Court Judge Ed Black. She replaced Kim Ludlow, who retired after years in the role. Deputy Treasurer Amanda Repke assists with day-to-day operations.

The treasurer's duties are broad. Beyond overseeing delinquent tax collection and foreclosures, Treasurer Cebula manages the county land bank, maintains all county accounts and investments, and makes recommendations to the Board of Commissioners on county spending. The land bank manages properties that have gone through foreclosure and are being prepared for resale or other uses. If a former property owner wants to inquire about surplus funds from a land bank sale, the treasurer's office handles those requests.

The 26th Circuit Court, which covers both Alpena and Montmorency counties, handles any legal proceedings related to foreclosure surplus disputes. If a claim goes to court, that is where the case would be heard.

Tax Foreclosure Surplus Claims

Alpena County follows Michigan's standard surplus claim process under MCL 211.78t. If a tax foreclosure sale after 2020 produced more money than the amount owed in taxes, fees, and costs, the former owner can file a claim for that surplus. This right was affirmed by the 2020 Michigan Supreme Court in Rafaeli, LLC v. Oakland County.

Alpena County is included in class action docket number 349636. This lawsuit covers nine counties, the others being Roscommon, Montmorency, Oscoda, Alcona, Arenac, Ogemaw, Clare, and Gladwin. If you had property foreclosed in any of these counties and believe surplus was not properly handled, this class action may be relevant to your situation. Contact an attorney to understand whether you are included and what your options are.

The standard claim timeline applies in Alpena. File Form 5743 with Treasurer Cebula's office by July 1. The county responds via Form 5744 by January 31. If the matter remains unresolved, a court motion can be filed between February 1 and May 15 with the 26th Circuit Court. Note: Missing the July 1 deadline for Form 5743 typically means losing your claim for that cycle, so act early if you believe you are owed surplus funds.

Delinquency and Foreclosure Timeline

The foreclosure process in Alpena County runs the same three-year cycle used statewide. March 1 is when unpaid prior-year taxes become delinquent. A 4% administrative fee is charged right away, and 1% monthly interest begins accruing. If the property owner still has not paid by the next March 1, the property enters forfeiture status. At forfeiture, interest climbs to 1.5% per month. The final step is foreclosure, which completes on April 1 of the third year. That is when the county takes clear title.

After the county holds title, it can sell the property. Alcona County and nearby counties use auction services to move these properties. The Tax-Sale.info platform at 800-259-7470 is used by 74-plus Michigan counties for these auctions. When a sale generates more than the amount owed, that surplus belongs to the former owner -- but only if they claim it through the proper process before the deadline.

The last chance to redeem a property and stop foreclosure is March 31 of the foreclosure year, the day before title passes.

Legal Help and Support Resources

Navigating a surplus claim is not simple. Legal assistance matters, especially if the county disputes your claim or the amount is significant. The State Bar of Michigan's referral service connects you with licensed attorneys. Call (800) 968-0738 or visit lrs.michbar.org. Legal Services of Eastern Michigan provides free civil legal aid to qualifying residents in this region. Their number is (800) 322-4512 and their site is lsem-mi.org.

Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org has a plain-language guide on how to file for leftover money after a tax foreclosure. It walks through each step, from filing Form 5743 through the court process, in language anyone can follow. It is free and does not require a login.

Michigan Homeowner Assistance Fund

If your Alpena County property is behind on taxes but has not yet been foreclosed, help may be available. The Michigan Homeowner Assistance Fund at michigan.gov/mihaf offers grants of up to $25,000 for past-due taxes, mortgage payments, and utility bills. It is grant money, not a loan, so there is nothing to repay. Check the site for current eligibility requirements and funding availability, as these change over time.

Communities in Alpena County

Alpena County has no cities that exceed the 100,000-population threshold for a dedicated page on this site. The city of Alpena is the county seat and the main community. All unclaimed money, tax record, and foreclosure surplus matters for residents throughout the county are handled by the Alpena County Treasurer's office under Treasurer Cindy Cebula.

Nearby Counties

Alpena County is in Michigan's northeastern lower peninsula. Neighboring counties each have their own treasurer handling delinquent taxes and unclaimed money claims.