Baraga County Unclaimed Money

Baraga County residents can search for unclaimed money through Michigan's state database and may be entitled to surplus funds from tax foreclosure sales under state law. Located in Michigan's Upper Peninsula with its county seat in L'Anse, Baraga County runs twice-yearly property auctions and has a detailed process for surplus claims that former property owners should know about.

State Unclaimed Property Database

Search Michigan's free unclaimed property database at unclaimedproperty.michigan.gov. The state has returned over $675 million to residents in the last five years. Dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks, forgotten utility deposits, insurance proceeds, and more are held in the database. You search by name. There is no cost and no account required. You can also look up accounts for a deceased family member or an old business.

Contact the Michigan Department of Treasury at (517) 636-5320 or TreasUPD@michigan.gov for questions about specific results. The Baraga County Treasurer website is at keweenawbay.org.

The image below shows the Baraga County Treasurer's page, which covers tax due dates, delinquency procedures, and auction information for this Upper Peninsula county.

The treasurer's page includes details on summer and winter tax due dates, online property search links, and information on the county's auction process.

The image below shows the main Baraga County government site at baragacounty.org, linking to all county departments and services.

The main county site connects to courts, commissioners, and other departments you may need when dealing with property or financial records.

Baraga County Treasurer Contact

The Baraga County Treasurer is at 2 S. Main St., L'Anse, MI 49946. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Phone is (906) 524-6100, extension 696. Fax is (906) 524-6432. This is the office to contact for delinquent tax questions, foreclosure records, surplus claim inquiries, and property tax payment information.

Property taxes in Baraga County are due twice a year. Summer taxes are due July 1 and winter taxes are due December 1. If taxes are not paid by March 1 of the following year, they become delinquent and the standard Michigan delinquency process begins. The treasurer's office can confirm exact amounts owed on any parcel using the county's BSA Software system at bsaonline.com. You can search by name, address, or parcel number at no cost.

Baraga County also offers a service that is not common in all Michigan counties: the treasurer's office is a passport acceptance agent. If you need to renew or apply for a passport, you can do that at the same location.

Tax Delinquency Process and Fees

The delinquency timeline in Baraga County runs on the standard Michigan three-year cycle, but with specific fee milestones that are worth knowing. When taxes go delinquent on March 1, a 4% administrative fee is added immediately, plus 1% per month in interest. By October 1, an additional $15 fee is charged. If the property is still unpaid by March 1 of year two, it enters forfeiture. At forfeiture, a $235 fee is added and interest climbs to 1.5% per month. An $30 fee is added August 1 and a $50 fee hits on December 1 of the forfeiture year.

Foreclosure completes on April 1 of year three. That is when clear title passes to the county with no further right of redemption. The last day to pay and stop the process is March 31. After April 1, the property belongs to the county.

Tax Auctions in Baraga County

Baraga County runs two property auctions per year. The first auction happens in August or September. At this auction, a minimum bid applies based on what is owed. The second auction takes place in October, and at that point there is no minimum bid. Unsold properties from the first auction typically go to the second.

The county contracts with Title-Check LLC, which runs the auction platform at tax-sale.info. This is the same platform used by over 74 Michigan counties. Their phone number is 800-259-7470. Parcel information and photos become available on the Tax-Sale.info site about 30 days before each auction. Anyone can view available parcels online before bidding.

When a winning bid exceeds what the county is owed in taxes, interest, fees, and costs, the excess is surplus. Under MCL 211.78t, the former property owner has a right to claim that surplus for foreclosures that completed in 2021 or later. The Rafaeli, LLC v. Oakland County ruling in 2020 confirmed this constitutional right.

How to Claim Surplus Funds

To claim surplus after a Baraga County tax foreclosure, file Form 5743 with the county treasurer's office by July 1. The treasurer responds using Form 5744 by January 31. If the claim is disputed or unresolved, you can file a motion with the circuit court between February 1 and May 15. These deadlines apply strictly. Missing July 1 means you lose your chance for that cycle.

Before filing, it helps to get the sale details from the treasurer: the date of foreclosure, the date of sale, the amount the property sold for, and the breakdown of taxes and fees owed. You use that information to calculate whether a surplus exists. Michigan Legal Help has a free guide at michiganlegalhelp.org that walks through the math and the forms in plain language.

Note: Legal help matters in this process. Fewer than 10% of Michigan property owners successfully navigate surplus claims without an attorney. The State Bar referral service at lrs.michbar.org or (800) 968-0738 can connect you with an experienced attorney.

Michigan Homeowner Assistance Fund

Baraga County homeowners who are behind on taxes but have not yet reached foreclosure may qualify for the Michigan Homeowner Assistance Fund. The program provides grants up to $25,000 for past-due property taxes, mortgage payments, and utility costs. It is a grant, not a loan. Details and eligibility information are at michigan.gov/mihaf. Funding availability changes, so check the site for the current application status.

Communities in Baraga County

Baraga County has no cities that meet the 100,000-population threshold for a dedicated page on this site. Main communities include L'Anse (county seat) and Baraga. For all unclaimed money matters, tax records, and surplus claims, residents throughout Baraga County contact the treasurer's office in L'Anse.

Nearby Counties

Baraga County is in Michigan's Upper Peninsula and borders several other UP counties. Each has its own treasurer and handles delinquent tax processes independently.